Rayavadee Resort — Hotel in Krabi Province

Firstly, this is obviously an unrivalled location, full of natural beauty (and seeing the monkeys / langurs was a real treat!) so this review is purely on the hotel itself.||The start of our trip felt organised and slick, what with the smart boat to collect new guests from the pier and then the funky ‘Sea Horse’ tractor to bring you in to shore. The initial welcome on the boat and check-in at reception was warm and efficient, although we thought it odd that the other family on the boat with us were offered a WhatsApp number ‘for anything you might need’, whilst we were not given the same. ||The villa had a lounge area and toilet downstairs and the bedroom and bathroom upstairs - it was spacious but really quite bland, lacking many welcoming touches such as flowers, towel art etc. and felt dated and basic in terms of fixtures and fittings. There were only 3 bath towels supplied (then only 2) - a pain if you happen to miss housekeeping and both take two showers a day. The shower head fixing on the wall was basic (not overhead rainfall/monsoon) and incredibly low, so average/taller people will likely feel awkward and cramped. The bath was stained and not very appealing - we didn’t use it.||Light switches and sockets were in odd places which was a bit frustrating, and there was only a beside table for one side of the bed - very odd. If you’re a light sleeper you’ll likely struggle here - the windows let in a lot of light (no shutters on the top parts of the window) and the motorised carts, sweeping right up to our patio (despite ‘Do not disturb’ sign) and even some loudspeaker/tannoy music woke us early each morning around 7am. There was a rather crumbling open pergola outside the villa with no shelter - a real shame as we would have liked to sit out there with a drink during rain showers. The mini bar contents were lacking - gin but no tonic?! And there is nowhere nearby to supply ice (so you have to call through to reception / room service and wait for that to be delivered).||The breakfast on our first morning was really chaotic and not enjoyable at all - there was no specific station / staff member to greet and seat guests and then we were disturbed twice whilst eating within the same 10 minutes by staff closing and opening the patio doors directly beside us. Tea / Coffee service was slow for the first cup, then took 3 requests to obtain a second cup. Staff seemed a bit fed-up and tired. Food ordered from the a la carte menu was mostly tasty but there was a distinct lack of actual Thai dishes. The buffet area is varied but an odd mix and not that appealing - we tried a few pastries which we both found to be rather stale and flavourless. The second morning’s breakfast did improve slightly as we were seated quickly and tea and coffee orders were taken and served efficiently by a cheerier and more organised member of staff this time, so perhaps luck of the draw as to who serves you each day.||The food around the pool was tasty but again, not many Thai offerings and the staff there were as hit and miss as at breakfast. Smoking seems to be allowed all over the resort and was particularly bad around the pool.||The bar around by the Grotto was a nice place to sit and look out over Phra Nang beach, we didn’t try the restaurant there as we wanted to focus on Thai food (which it didn’t serve). Sun beds here were quite crowded but a nice spot if there’s room - ours were under the trees and that afternoon we did suffer with mosquito bites, despite covering ourselves with spray. ||We ate at the Raitalay Terrace for lunch one day - there were only a couple of other tables yet our food took a very long time to arrive and was then served to us luke warm / room temp. We’d only stopped in for a quick snack (Chicken satay & edamame) so ate it regardless, but when we advised to our waitress when paying that it was tasty but rather cold, we didn’t receive much of a response and settled our bill at full price.||There was an event one night with traditional Thai music and dancing at one of the restaurants, but we were put off by the offering of a buffet only (especially given the breakfast experience) and wondered why they wouldn’t offer a la carte with this event in what should be classed as a high end hotel and restaurant, rather than feeling like a canteen.||This just didn’t feel like a luxury hotel and as such, we decided to leave 2 nights early - when we called to request passage on the boat it took 2 or 3 calls back from reception to confirm;||1) there’s not a boat at 3pm you’ll have to get the 4pm, |2) there is a boat at 3pm, but you’ll have to pay for the taxi onward to Ao Nang (Note: return taxis to Krabi airport are included in the booking, but because we’d changed the destination, they’d decided this wouldn’t be included)|3) you do realise your booking is non-refundable (we knew this, but found it strange that they were not interested as to why we were keen to forego our last two nights in this hotel)||I hope this review is helpful to travellers and constructive to the hotel themselves - it would be well worth management taking a trip to The Sarojin near Khao Lak for...

Rayavadee Resort, nestled along the stunning coast of Krabi, Thailand, is truly a destination that leaves you speechless and imprints on your soul for a lifetime. From the moment you arrive, you’re immersed in a world so surreal, it feels like stepping onto the set of Avatar—a paradise where jungle meets sea and every corner is touched by magic.||Arrival: A Journey Worth Every Step|To reach Rayavadee, you must take a boat, as it’s tucked away on the Phranang Peninsula, only accessible by water. After confirming your reservation, you can contact the resort to coordinate transfers. (If you book directly with them, boat transfers are sometimes complimentary.) I had booked through Expedia, so I paid 1,295 THB (about $40 USD) each way—but trust me, the experience is worth every penny.||As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by staff with a cool towel and a refreshing welcome drink. The hospitality was immediate and genuine. My two best friends and I stayed in one of their luxurious two-story pavilions, which felt like a tropical treehouse—spacious, cozy, and beautifully designed to blend in with the lush surroundings.||Nature That Leaves You Breathless|After settling in, we wandered over to the beach by The Grotto—and were blown away. A massive cave opened up before us, with a temple nestled inside. It was like something from a dream. Every corner of Rayavadee is intertwined with nature—towering limestone cliffs, whispering palm trees, and curious monkeys swinging through the trees. It’s paradise in its purest form.||A Private Phi Phi Adventure|The following day, we booked a private boat tour to the Phi Phi Islands directly through the resort. It cost $1,100 USD for a six-hour excursion and included a personalized bento box lunch. The crew was phenomenal—attentive, friendly, and so fun. Midday, we pulled up to an untouched beach where we enjoyed our lunches in peace. Every moment felt like a scene from a movie.||A Ceremony of Joy and Gratitude|When we returned to the resort, we were lucky enough to witness a Songkran ceremony led by the Rayavadee staff to celebrate Thai New Year. The joy, the energy, the cultural richness—it moved me to tears. There was a moment where I just stood there, completely overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty of life, the people I was with, and the experience unfolding around me. The staff celebrated just as joyfully as the guests, and it was pure magic.||Dining at The Grotto|That evening, we had dinner booked at The Grotto, Rayavadee’s signature dining experience nestled in a limestone cave. Reservations and pre-selections are required, and it’s worth every bit of planning. For the three of us, the dinner came to about $400 USD, and the food was divine—plentiful, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We couldn’t even finish it all!|The next day, we returned for lunch, and I highly recommend seeing The Grotto during daylight hours as well. Lunch reservations are required, but no pre-ordering is needed. And let’s not forget—the included breakfast each morning? Absolutely phenomenal.||A Tranquil Escape for the Soul|We stayed for three nights, and it felt like the perfect amount of time. Rayavadee is serene, peaceful, and designed for rest, nature, and rejuvenation. Any longer, and we might have gotten the itch to explore beyond. The resort also offers other excursions, spa experiences, and local adventures if you want to mix in activity with your relaxation.||A Heartfelt Thank You|Rayavadee is one of the most unforgettable resorts I’ve ever stayed at. While the breathtaking scenery steals the show, it’s the people who make the experience extraordinary. Every staff member we encountered went above and beyond with warmth and care. A special shoutout to Luna, who took my number and helped coordinate spa treatments and dinner reservations—you were an angel!||Final Thoughts|If you’re planning a trip to Krabi, Thailand—Rayavadee is not just a resort, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the jungle-canopy vibes to the world-class hospitality, it’s a place where you’ll find beauty, peace, and magic in every moment. I left with a full heart, memories to cherish forever, and a deep sense of awe for this little slice...

Just finished my 7week trip in Thailand. I stayed in Rayavadee for 4 days 3 nights and glad I decided to choose the hotel as a starter for our Krabi trip. First impression always lasts longer than you expect.

Time Efficiency Hotel pickup team and drivers were always ahead of time, well-prepared and professionally yet delicately managed things so it saved time and kept our day a big room to enjoy Krabi vibes in an exclusive manner.

Beyond-expectation Service :Attentive, thoughtful and lot of surprises!!

Reaching the shore ( 10m cruise to the hotel ), the receptionists were already standing by the beach waving hands to greet us. Quite cute.

Quick Problem Solver**

They rarely reject client if the request is reasonable. The hotel is different from other 5star hotels which just orally promised us.

There was a hotel map and an activity card in the room for clients of all ages e.g. some hotel nature tours for young kids.

On the second day, we excitedly waited for Kayak tour. However, the waves went too strong so the activity got canceled. It was sad because as our schedule turned empty.

The activity manager immediately arranged another activity just for us!! She made our day!

They write for clients and also offered a variety of fresh fruits everyday. They pay attention to small details that they didn’t repeat the same type of fruits we did not finish.

Exceptional Chef Skills Food is quite a factor for me when it comes to choosing hotels.

I stayed in another two hotels which belongs to same owner before - Raya Heritage and Tamarind Village. That’s why I booked Rayavadee without hesitation. These 3 hotels’ breakfast did not disappoint me at all.

Delicate, High Quality, Tasty Breakfast:

They adjust the breakfast menus daily to excite long-stay clients. A lot of A-La-Cart menus are also available to be served fresh as well. I like the steak which I repeatedly ordered two days in a row and my friend like their Sichuan noodle. I guess the head chef is Khun Chumpol.

Our NO.1 Pastry Chef in Thailand ** In the evening, they prepared 2 kinds of mini snacks “ called Turndown Chocolates” beside the bed. Surprisingly, the taste was so goooood! Better than pastry shops outside!!! I went back to buy them twice even we left the ‘island’ already!! Their pastry chef is really talented indeed!!!!!! I guess the chef name’s Khun Dee.

Activities At first I was a bit worried to stay in one hotel and on the same ‘island’ for 4 days 3 nights. Will it be too long? Should I book some trips outside?

Not at all!!! I thought too much!!!

Rayavadee has their own activities whole day everyday. They also provide outside private trips as well.

Hotel guides are very professional and passionate. We joined many activities in hotel. The guide patiently shared their experiences to us. Also help us took many pictures. :P For View Point, this activity is a bit difficult for people who never hiked before. We asked the guide to show us Princess lagoon. He also patiently guided us there even it was turning dark.

Sincere Environmental-Friendly Hotel Unlimited free natural exploration you can enjoy in this hotel. Lots of DUSKY LANGURs, turtles and birds. Trees and many kinds of flowers. When you walk back room, you would not feel bored or tired.

I didn’t see they use single-use plastics. Even in restaurants they don’t offer tissue but quality towels. I respect this part. I feel lucky for this land have many people take care of it together so well.

All in all, Rayavadee proved that 5-star of the any hotels should come from service not merely the architecture. Thank you Raysvadee team for your patience, understanding, sincerity and professionalism. On top of everything, thank you for being sincerely kind to nature and its tiny members. I am glad it’s YOU who own this marvelous piece of land because thousands of lives there can still dwell in their original homes.

I can only say these feelings made the whole trip so touching and memorable. I will definitely...