Rayavadee

Rooms

Dotted among the tropical gardens are 94 pavilions and 7 villas, all a short walk from Railay and Phranang Beaches. They are traditionally Thai in design, with domed roofs, airy living spaces and lots of shiny polished wood.

The Pavilions have two storeys and a mushroom-like design. Styling is classic – think day beds, chunky writing desks and wide, shuttered windows. The Deluxe Pavilions have just a simple table and chairs outside, while the Terrace Pavilions have a more spacious outdoor area with beautiful seating. The Pool Pavilions are tucked away in a more secluded, shady area, each with private pools. For families, there are spacious options from the Family Pavilion to the Family Villa. Bathrooms are generous and all have giant baths and separate showers.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Cots available
• DVD player
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

You’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to dining here. There are four different restaurants scattered around the resort – some for casual dining, others for romantic candle-lit affairs.

Breakfast is served at Raya Dining, and it's a feast. From pancakes to shakshuka to roti canai, or head to the egg station for an omelette made in front of you. There are savoury Thai dishes too – perhaps Chinese rice porridge with ginger and meat, or Spicy Sichuan-style noodles. If you’re still stuffed from the previous night’s meal, lighter options include buddha bowls and chia seed pudding. Plus all the pastries, fruit, yoghurt, fresh tropical juices, cold meats and smoked fish you can fit.

Raitalay Terrace is a beautiful spot for lunch, as it’s situated right next to the swimming pool, with views over Railay Beach. Choose from salads, hot pots, fresh seafood and meat curries. There’s a decent veggie menu too.

We ate at Krua Phranang on Phranang Beach, which is the place for romantic alfresco dining with a view of the empty beach. In the evening, when the caves are lit and the stars are shining, it's magical. The menu is Thai, with an endless selection of delicious options – from standard Thai classics to really adventurous options from around the country. You could eat here for weeks and never get bored. We had soft shell crab with a pomelo, pomegranate and scallop salad, grouper red curry (fiendishly and authentically hot), fried fish in soy with asian pear salad. And the mocktails were also out of this world.

While The Grotto, which shelters in the shade of a limestone cliff, offers a Twilight Set Dinner at sunset – you’ll need to pre-order your choice and reserve your table beforehand. This is also where they have their BBQ buffet once a week, which is pricey per head, but beyond indulgent. As much lobster, giant prawns and oysters as you can eat, along with every type of meat (huge swordfish, even slow-cooked lamb) and all in the most romantic, sumptuous setting, with the candlelit tables, paper lanterns hanging in the trees, and views of the grotto, cliffs and beach.

They also offer complimentary afternoon tea for all guests three times a week, and it’s not to be missed. Tea and coffee any way you like it served alongside an array of mini savoury snacks – deep fried prawns, mini quiches, spring rolls – plus sweets like Thai tea ice cream and lemon meringues.

For an evening tipple, the street leading off Railay Beach has a selection of laid-back bars and rum shacks.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• It’s not often you get a hotel fringed by two spectacular beaches; spend a day each on Railay and Phranang. For conservation reasons, sunloungers are not permitted, so bring a towel to lie on
  
• Head out on one of the hotel’s speedboats to the Phi Phi Islands, famous for their emerald cliffs, caves and colourful reefs
  
• Other boat trips include snorkelling excursions around Poda Island or a romantic castaway experience on Bamboo Island
  
• Krabi’s craggy peaks are perfect for rock climbing. The overhangs, stalactites and knobbly surfaces of the cliff face are not for the faint-hearted, but the views from the top are a spectacular reward
  
• Land excursions take you deep into nature; try the trip to Klong Thom’s Emerald Pool and hot spring, famous for its healing waters
  
• Spend a day in Krabi: start at the food market, visit the Buddhist Tiger Cave Temple, and have a Thai lunch at a local restaurant
  
• For a dose of Thai culture, join a Rayavadee cookery class to learn the art of authentic Thai cooking using exotic herbs and aromatic spices. Fruit carving and garland weaving classes are also on offer

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Traditional cultures
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Windsurfing

Kids

It's rare to find a place that caters to kids as much as it does to adults - especially one in such a dreamy setting - but the Rayavadee strikes the perfect balance. While you bliss out in paradise, they can choose from a range of kid-friendly activities (cooking, tennis, arts and crafts), or play on the beach, or swim in the pool. There are Family Pavilions and Family Villas too, and a range of dining options for fussy eaters.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family Villas and Family Pavilions each sleep 4-5 in two bedrooms. The villas come with butlers, and some have private pools too. All the pavilions can fit one extra bed.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes (Krabi)
• Grocery shop: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Rayavadee is situated on the coast of Krabi's beautiful Phranang Peninsula, in southern Thailand. The resort is only accessible by boat.

By Air:
Krabi is the closest airport and is served by internal flights from Bangkok (a flying time of 80 minutes). You could also fly to Phuket and arrange an airport transfer via the hotel from there.

From the Airport:
A hotel representative will meet you and transfer you by van or car to their private pier (20 minutes from Krabi Airport, 2hrs 15 from Phuket Airport). You'll then take a speed boat (20 minutes) to Rayavadee (this needs to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance).

By Ferry:
If you want to make your own way to the resort, the Ao Nang Princess Ferry operates between Krabi and Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta Islands. The ferry usually stops at Railay Beach (depending on tides), where a hotel representative will meet you. You'll then take a long-tail boat to the resort.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.