Imagine being surrounded by an idyllic turquoise sea on one side and steep green mountains on the other. Should you choose to stay at the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi, that's exactly where you'll find yourself - an amazingly peaceful location. It's the ultimate serene and private getaway on an island that has so much to offer.

Since this private location is only accessible by boat, you might be wondering whether it might get a little too quiet? After all, you can sometimes have too much of a good thing - but we've thought of that, and for those looking for something more, we've got you covered too. One of our expert locals has given us the inside story of what locals and tourists alike can get up to on the island. She's shared with us a typical day in the life of a Krabi local so you can get an expert's perspective on some of the best activities, places, and things to eat, as well as tips on other favourite spots around Krabi.

Ms. Chanyanuch Budhem (nickname - Na) is the Assistant Front Office Manager at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi. She spends most of her day taking care of guests and making sure everything goes smoothly for them and the hotel's operations.

Typical Day in Paradise

What's a day like in the life of an Assistant Front Office Manager?

Na: Typically, welcoming guests to the hotel; checking them in, making sure everything is ready for them. Some bookings may have special requirements, so we have to make sure we have that covered too. Sometimes I have to coordinate with a Guest Service Agent, or bellman to make sure we deliver a seamless service. A day in the life of a hotelier usually starts with a morning briefing and for the rest of the day it's show time.

What do you do when you aren't working?

I will never get tired of the view that we have here at the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi. But, sometimes a bit of scenery change is good. Once in a while I would go into the city which takes 30-40 minutes, just to catch up with friends, shop, catch a new movie, or explore new restaurants and bars because often guests do ask for recommendations from local staff, so I think keeping myself up-to-date is useful not only for me, but also for our guests.

What's your favourite part of the day?

I get to meet new people everyday. No one day is the same. I enjoy meeting and talking to guests because they come from different places and have different stories to share with us. Every day is a new day for me here.

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things

What's your favourite spot in Krabi?

Lanta Island (Koh Lanta), because it's less crowded than other places.

What's your favourite spot in the hotel?

My workstation! That's because my workstation is actually the hotel's arrival jetty where I meet and greet our guests. Sometimes you'll see our guests choose to hang out here after their check-in. It's like a family living room.

What's your favourite southern food recommendation?

Yellow curry with fish and pineapple (Gaeng Som Pla Supparod) with steamed rice.

What are some memorable moments that you could share with us?

I can't stress this enough - every day is different for us in the service and hospitality industry. There are new memories being created every day. One memory that particularly stands out is that we have one group of guests in particular who love staying with us so much that they've been coming back to stay every year. I was assisting them during their stay here for the first time and we became quite close, and from that moment on they have been coming back to us every year without fail. It's very rewarding when guests say that they come back because they feel at home and it feels like they're coming to see their friends and family. I think that's a real achievement for anyone who works in the industry.

What makes our journey memorable are the memories that we create and the people that we meet.