Picolo recommends · Hotel in Railay, Krabi, Thailand
Rayavadee
You arrive by boat, step onto the sand at Railay, and walk to a pavilion in a coconut grove under towering limestone cliffs.
There is no road to Railay. The longtail boat drops you on the beach, and the limestone towers rise straight out of the jungle around you. Rayavadee takes up a large part of the peninsula, between the cliffs and the sea.
Guests stay in pavilions spread among palms and gardens, and Phra Nang Beach, often named among the finest in Thailand, lies at the edge of the grounds. Climbers, kayakers and day-trippers share the bay, but the resort itself stays quiet.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Rayavadee
We chose Rayavadee for the setting. Few hotels in Thailand put you this close to such dramatic scenery, and once the last boats leave in the evening, Railay feels like a different place.
Getting there takes effort, with a transfer and a boat ride, and luggage on a beach landing is never elegant. Day visitors crowd Phra Nang in the middle of the day, so plan your swims early or late.
What you get
- Arrival by boat to Railay
- Pavilions among palms and gardens
- Phra Nang Beach at the edge of the grounds
- Pool
- Restaurants on site
A day at Rayavadee
- Morning
- A swim at Phra Nang before the first boats arrive.
- Midday
- Lunch in the shade of the cliffs while the beach is busy.
- Afternoon
- A kayak around the limestone towers on calm water.
- Evening
- Dinner by the sea after the day visitors have gone.
Location
Railay, Krabi, Thailand
Open in MapsQuestions about Rayavadee
How do you get to Rayavadee?
Railay has no road connection, so the last part of the journey is by boat. The hotel can arrange the transfer from Krabi.
Is Rayavadee on the beach?
Yes. The resort lies on the Railay peninsula with direct access to the beaches, including Phra Nang Beach beneath the cliffs.
When is the best time to stay at Rayavadee?
November to April gives the driest weather and calmest sea. The monsoon months are cheaper, but expect rain and choppier boat rides.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
