Rayavadee

From the moment we were met at Krabi airport by the Rayavadee representative, to the moment we sadly had to leave again, everything was just incredible. I don't think we've ever stayed anywhere before where so much attention is paid to every single detail of the grounds, the rooms, the staff, the food, services, the possible needs of guests, everything was just exquisite. True, there is noise from the longtail boats during daytime at Railay Beach so also when you're at the swimming pool, but once you start walking towards Phranang Beach the noise soon disappears. There are plenty of places to avoid the noise and the crowds, and it certainly didn't bother us one bit. The grounds are incredibly beautiful, and wildlife is abundant, but to our surprise most fellow guests ignored or just briefly acknowledged it, whilst to us it was a highlight of our stay. The fabulous pavilion is beautiful and roomy, and the beds are very comfy. I could go on for hours, but I'll leave it here with saying that we can't wait to book again for next year.

The resort is located on a prime location on Railay Beach and is the only resort to grant direct access to all three major beaches of the peninsula. There’s no denying that the location is beautiful and the cottages scattered around the property blend with the natural surroundings perfectly. The cottages themselves are quite spacious and comfortable but they allow a lot of light in which can be an issue for light sleepers. The food is decent but the grotto is definitely the worst of the three restaurants and has the slowest service, we had lunch there so maybe the dinner service is different. The service is courteous but falls short of the personal and attentive service you can expect from an hotel of that standard. We reported several problems including one persistant problem with the internet and a very unpleasant sewage smell coming from one of the bathrooms. They only apologized for the inconvenience and tried to justify the internet issue with a wireless problem with Apple products. Also you can notice security guards all around the property denying access to non residents but they are sometimes inattentive and people can walk in including around some unattended luggage simply left out in the open at the reception pavillon hours before our planned departure. This is a serious security concern. It was not possible to directly talk to the manager who was present on the first day but was nowhere to be seen afterward. This resort has a lot to offer including several excursions semi private or private that can be quite pricey but are very well organized. Complimentary afternoon tea on the Saturday was also very nice. The main issue really comes down to service that needs to be better and food quality that can use some improvement.