TAN Hostel x Cafe, Aonang Beach — Restaurant in Krabi Province

I stayed at the hostel and while it had a great location and a spectacular cafe, my overall accomodation experience was not the best. The dorm room itself was decent, but it could have been a lot cleaner - the floor was consistently sandy and sticky, which also made the bedsheets feel unpleasant. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting any sleep as the noise from the upstairs common area was extremely loud, even after 11pm, when most people in my dorm were trying to rest. Just some feedback- a sign reminding guests to be mindful of noise would go a long way, or perhaps staff could be more proactive in managing the situation.

The bathroom was also disappointing. There were stains in the sink, hair in the shower, and sand everywhere because the surfaces hadn’t been wiped down properly. It was clear the cleaning could use some improvement. On top of that - further signage to clearly display the gender of toilets would be extremely handy too, as there was one instance of a man walking into the bathroom while I was changing after the shower, which made me quite uncomfortable.

On the positive side, the location was fantastic – right on the main street, making it very convenient for exploring. Outside noise wasn’t a problem at all, though the noise from other hostel guests definitely was.

The café downstairs, though, was fantastic! Honestly, the best coffee I had during my whole trip in Thailand, and the staff there were super friendly and welcoming. It was definitely a highlight of the stay.

Overall, while the café was a great experience, the accommodation itself didn’t meet my expectations. It appears that the staff's main priority was the cafe rather than the hostel - as I noticed a lack of regular cleaning in the hostel itself, whereas the cafe had so many staff working. Compared to all the other hostels I stayed at - there didn't seem to be any dedicated cleaners in the dorms, and it really showed. It was an interesting stay, but I would likely choose to stay...

The hostel has a nice vibrant modern look, the person at the check in is nice and welcoming to the place. The hostel is cleaned and maintened in good conditions. In terms of facility, could have been designed better and perhaps improved. The main inconvenience was the lack of bench space around the bed (4 shared room), there is not space to keep your personal belongings around the bed, and there is a gap between the wall and the mattress resulting items going into the lockers of people underneath. This can definitely be improved filling the gap and putting some elevated bench around each bed. Another inconvenience is that the man toilet is at the ground level but not at the first floor where my room was. Mattresses have covered in plastic possibly to avoid bed bugs and you can feel the plastic under the sheet, even though it's relatively comfortable. Location wise is on the main street, so it's in a good spot but you need to walk a bit to go to the sea view and landmark night market. The existing Cafe has good quality assorted food, but there is a 7% surcharge, tax on goods, which it's mentioned in a small text in the menu. Most of places include the tax into the menu price without additional surcharge, which I believe it's preferred by people. Overall ok, but had better hostel experience...

This review is solely dedicated to the cafe!

The café boasts an extensive menu, and my visits were exclusively during breakfast hours. Their French Toast and Full Breakfast were exceptional – generous portions and an exquisite taste, possibly the best French toast in the area. I also tried their Grilled Chicken Tomato Fettuccine, with the highlight being the exceptional sauce. The signature drink, "Cloud & Earth" - a Coconut frappe with a shot of espresso - was an absolute palate pleaser, a definite must-try! I also sampled their Iced Thai Tea, which was refreshing. Pricing was reasonable for me, albeit slightly higher compared to local alternatives.

The ambiance is cozy and casually inviting, making it a perfect spot for one-on-one conversations or work. It exudes a vibrant energy, particularly during breakfast hours, often resulting in a 15-minute wait. While service might take a bit due to the influx of customers and meticulous plating, the staff is decent. The overall cleanliness and presentation are commendable.

In my experience, this cafe stands out not just for its delightful culinary offerings but also for providing a comfortable and lively atmosphere, making it a go-to place for a satisfying breakfast or a relaxed...