AANA Resort & Spa – Klong Prao Beach

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AANA Resort & Spa – Full Review

Overview

AANA sits at the end of the Klong Prao river, just before it meets the sea. Instead of being lined up with the other resorts directly on the beach road, it’s tucked away in its own little pocket of jungle and mangroves. From above, you see curved villa roofs, two pools and a ribbon of river with the beach and open sea just beyond.

The design is tropical and slightly Balinese – lots of dark wood, white walls, thatched roofs and curving pools. Over the last couple of years the resort has refreshed its branding as “AANA Resort & Villas”, emphasising the villa side of things and repositioning itself as a slightly more stylish, nature-focused alternative to the main beachfront hotels.

Location – River Mouth Hideaway with Private Beach

Location is AANA’s main USP and its main trade-off:

• The resort is on the Klong Prao (Klong Plu) river estuary, hidden from the main road and away from noise, tailor shops and bar signs.
• It has its own quiet beach area on Klong Prao, across the river mouth, with loungers and shade. Guests reach it via a free longtail boat shuttle or by paddling a kayak.
• Klong Prao village and the main road restaurants are a short taxi or scooter ride away; it’s not somewhere you’ll be strolling out for a casual bar crawl every night.
• The ferry piers are around 20 minutes away by car, same as other Klong Prao properties.

If you like the idea of being wrapped in greenery with river views and your own slice of beach just across the water, the location is a plus. If you absolutely must be walk-out beachfront or in the thick of Klong Prao’s main strip, there are better fits.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is laid-back and distinctly “resort + nature”:

• Kayaks occasionally drifting past on the river, people reading on villa terraces, kids in the pool.
• Evenings spent at the riverside restaurant, or taking an early-evening firefly boat tour before dinner.
• Soundscape is mostly birds, boats and the odd longtail engine, rather than bar music.

Recent guests describe it as “peaceful”, “relaxing” and “romantic”, though a few note that during Thai holidays it can become busier around the pools and restaurant.

Rooms & Villas

AANA has gradually evolved from a more traditional mixed resort into something more villa-focused. The official site and recent Thai travel features list eight room types, including several plunge-pool villa categories.

Main Categories

• Deluxe Rooms: Located in the main building; spacious rooms with balconies, separate sitting areas and modern bathrooms.
• Riverside Cottages: Low-rise units closer to the river with terraces facing the water and greenery, nice if you want to watch kayaks drift by.
• Garden & River View Villas with Plunge Pool: Round or semi-round villas set in gardens or along the river, each with a small private plunge pool and outdoor deck; these are the ones you see in most photos.
• Top View / Grand View Villas: Higher-up villas with plunge pools and more expansive views over the river, hills and resort – good if you like a bit of height and privacy.

Standard in-room amenities include:

• Air-conditioning and ceiling fan
• King or twin beds with comfortable mattresses
• Balcony or terrace with seating; villas also have plunge pool decks
• LCD TV with cable channels
• Fridge, kettle, in-room safe and complimentary water/tea/coffee
• Modern bathroom with shower and toiletries; some villas add outdoor showers or semi-open layouts
• Free Wi-Fi (decent, though the signal can be patchier right by the river in some older reviews)

Guests praise the rooms as “spacious, clean and comfortable”, with many highlighting the plunge pools and balconies as worth the extra cost. Criticisms tend to focus on small maintenance issues for example slightly tired bathroom grouting here, a creaky door there, rather than fundamental problems.

Facilities

For a mid-sized resort, AANA offers a good spread of facilities:

• Two Outdoor Pools: One free-form pool surrounded by villas and greenery, and another nearer the main building – both with loungers and shallow areas.
• Spa: On-site spa with Thai massage and basic treatments, plus simple riverside salas where you can get a massage with a view.
• Private Beach Area: Sunbeds, umbrellas and a small service area on the quiet sand at the mouth of Klong Prao; reached via boat shuttle or kayak.
• Kayaks & Firefly Tours: Complimentary kayaks for paddling up and down the river by day; paid evening firefly boat trips run directly from the resort pier.
• Restaurant & Bar: Riverside restaurant serving Thai and Western dishes; bar for cocktails and drinks by the water.
• Tour Desk & Transfers: Snorkelling trips, waterfalls and transfers to the piers and Trat Airport are easily arranged.

Beach & Swimming

Unlike the pure beachfront resorts, AANA separates “where you sleep” from “where you sunbathe”:

• The resort itself is on the river; you don’t step straight onto sand from your room.
• The dedicated AANA beach area is on a wide, quiet stretch of Klong Prao near the river mouth with soft sand, shallow water and very few non-hotel visitors.
• Boat shuttles run back and forth during the day, and you can also paddle yourself there in a kayak; it takes just a few minutes.

In practice, most guests alternate between pool time at the resort and a few beach sessions each day, rather than spending all day on the sand.

Food & Breakfast

Breakfast and food quality are generally well regarded:

• Breakfast: Buffet-style with Western and Thai options; reviews highlight fresh fruit, eggs, Thai dishes and decent baked goods.
• Riverside Dining: Thai dishes, curries and seafood served at tables overlooking the river; several guests appreciate being able to eat with views of the water and the softly lit gardens.

If you want more variety or cheaper local food, you’ll need to taxi/scooter to the main road or to Klong Prao village, another trade-off for the tucked-away location.

How AANA Compares to Other Klong Prao Resorts

• AANA vs beachfront Klong Prao resorts (Paradise, Klong Prao Resort, Barali, VAYNA, The Dewa): Those give you “roll out of bed onto the sand”; AANA gives you a more secluded river setting plus a quieter beach area, with more emphasis on nature and villa-style privacy.
• AANA vs other river/lagoon properties: Some resorts sit by lagoons or rivers, but AANA makes more of it – with kayaks, firefly tours and villas that really embrace the setting. It’s a better choice if you actively want the river to be part of your stay.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Atmospheric river setting with lots of greenery and wildlife
• Private plunge-pool villas that feel like good value
• Dedicated quiet beach area just across the river
• Kayaks and firefly tours on-site
• Friendly staff and well-reviewed service

Cons

• No direct walk-out beach access from the main resort
• Need taxis/scooters to reach most shops and restaurants
• Some cosmetic wear in older rooms and public areas
• River + jungle means more insects than a breezy beachfront property

Who Should Stay at AANA?

Great choice for:

• Couples looking for a romantic, slightly different Koh Chang stay
• Families who like pools and nature activities more than nightlife
• Repeat visitors who want a change from straightforward beachfront resorts

Probably not ideal for:

• First-timers who want direct beach access and lots of nearby restaurants
• Party-focused travellers who want to walk to bars
• People who react badly to mosquitoes or prefer a more urban setting

Value for Money

When you factor in the plunge pools, river setting, private beach area and overall atmosphere, AANA usually represents very good value compared with more generic 4 star resorts on the island. Recent review aggregates show strong scores for value, location and facilities, especially from guests who chose it deliberately for the nature-first vibe. 

Final Thoughts

AANA Resort & Spa isn’t trying to compete with big chain hotels on slickness. Instead it leans into setting and character. If your idea of a Koh Chang holiday involves kayaks at sunrise, a plunge pool on your villa terrace and a small boat across the river to a quiet stretch of beach, it should be high on your shortlist.

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