Rayavadee Review: Worth the Splurge in Krabi, Thailand?

Arriving by luxury speedboat

The experience begins before you even set foot on Railay.

From Rayavadee’s private pier in Krabi, we boarded a sleek speedboat for the 20-minute transfer across emerald waters.

As we approached Railay, limestone karsts rose straight out of the sea. The boat rounded a headland and suddenly Nammao Beach appeared – Rayavadee’s arrival point on East Railay.

We arrived at high tide. The front of the speedboat lowered into a staircase at the water’s edge. We stepped onto a stool, then onto dry sand – running shoes intact. (At low tide, a tractor rolls across the wet sand to shuttle you to or from the boat.)

About Rayavadee – nature front and center

Rayavadee sits on 26 acres of lush tropical gardens on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, surrounded by towering limestone karsts that look like something from a fantasy film.

The property is wonderfully spread out.

You can call for a buggy to shuttle you around, but we never bothered. We enjoy walking, and as long as we didn’t take a wrong turn, it was only a 5- to 7-minute stroll to a beach or restaurant.

You’re immersed in nature

More than 120 species of tropical plants and trees grow throughout the grounds, including tamarind, mango, coconut and gooseberry trees.

Wildlife sightings are part of the daily entertainment.

One afternoon, we spotted a whole family of spectacled langurs. With their black eyes ringed by white circles, they look a little cross-eyed and almost comical.

One tiny orangey-brown baby clung to its mother’s belly as the group leapt through the trees, munching on red berries and occasionally hopping onto the fences surrounding the private pool pavilions.

We also saw macaque monkeys scrambling across cliff faces, hornbills flashing their yellow beaks overhead and (briefly!) a water monitor lizard near Phranang Beach.

Pavilion choices

The pavilions are about 968 square feet in size, featuring a ground-floor living area with a day bed and other seating, a master bedroom on the upper floor, two bathrooms and an outdoor terrace. 

We booked an entry-level Deluxe Pavilion without a private pool – and we didn’t miss having one at all. We’ve stayed in private-pool villas around the world, but here, with jaw-dropping beaches and scenic spaces to lounge in, it felt unnecessary.

The circular pavilion design mirrors the rounded limestone cliffs that define Railay’s dramatic landscape, blending beautifully into the natural surroundings.

Inside our Deluxe Pavilion

Our pavilion felt roomy but cozy. The upstairs bedroom is about 430 square feet, and the entire two-level layout gave us plenty of room to spread out.

The oversize “king” bed was practically the width of two queen beds pushed together – easily big enough for a family of four to pile in comfortably.

We loved the aesthetic – dark polished wood floors, heavy wood furnishings, rattan rugs, a leather-topped chest for luggage, his-and-hers closets and even live greenery growing through bamboo poles in the living room. A vintage-style clock and an oversized botanical sculpture above the headboard added character.

Tech-wise, it was modern too, with plenty of outlets on the headboard shelf for charging devices (always appreciated). And we had plush robes, slippers and even flip-flops waiting for us.

Some guests may find the interiors a little traditional or dark. But, for us, the look suited the jungle setting just right.

Beach club and pool

Rayavadee has two main places where guests relax during the day.

Near The Grotto restaurant, the resort has its own private beach club area sitting a few feet above the public beach, with food-and-drink service and a watersports center.

You’ll find teak loungers placed beneath trees and large umbrellas, offering welcome shade. With a pleasant afternoon breeze, we happily spent hours here reading and occasionally dozing.

You step down a few wooden stairs (where a resort security guard is stationed) to access the public beach. The sea is typically calm – perfect for swimming, and we tried paddleboarding late one afternoon. SUP boards and kayaks are complimentary.

During our stay, this club area felt mostly couples-oriented and wonderfully peaceful.

Exploring Railay

Diamond Cave

Early one morning, while out for a walk, we stumbled upon Diamond Cave (Phra Nang Nai Cave), arriving right after it opened at 8:00 am.

We had the entire place to ourselves. Stepping onto the raised boardwalk that disappears into the darkness, we couldn’t help but feel a little like Indiana Jones heading off on an adventure.

Inside, soft golden lighting illuminates the stalactites, stalagmites and other surreal limestone formations, casting dramatic shadows along the cave walls.

We took it slow in our sandals, as parts of the boardwalk are made of curved (and slightly wobbly) clay pipes set a couple of inches apart, with the occasional wooden slat bridging wider gaps. It’s perfectly manageable – just worth watching your step.

And then there were the bats. We heard faint squeaks before spotting them – tiny black silhouettes clinging to the ceiling high above us.

Princess Cave

At the southern end of Phranang Beach, you’ll find the Princess Cave, believed to be the spiritual home of an Indian princess killed in a shipwreck nearby.

It’s fairly shallow, but what makes it interesting are the carved wooden phalluses of every size, shade and color stacked around the entrance and inside the cave. Fishermen and boatmen still leave offerings of incense and flowers here for good luck, fertility and safe passage at sea. Very quirky!

Outside the cave, monkeys scamper about the trees. And we also spotted a very large water monitor lizard casually skulking along the sand.

Cliffside walk to Railay East

From Princess Cave, a scenic walking path hugs the base of the limestone cliffs toward Railay East Beach – about 20 minutes at an easy pace.

You stroll beneath dramatic overhangs and dangling stalactites, with fascinating rock formations rising all around.

At one point, we noticed a few people cautiously picking their way down a steep side trail strewn with jagged rocks. It leads to a hidden lagoon – but the trail looked trickier than we wished to tackle. (We’d already seen a few visitors sporting white bandages around their legs!)

Watching the rock climbers

Near Princess Cave – and along several of Railay’s cliffs – the area’s famous rock climbers provide built-in entertainment. Clinging to sheer limestone walls with what looks like impossible ease, they’re fun to watch.

Dinner in Railay

Railay has a laid-back bohemian village vibe, with clusters of casual restaurants, small shops, climbing outfitters and beachy bars.

What about visiting Railay on a day trip instead?

Longtail ferries and speedboats regularly run from Ao Nang, Ao Nammao and Krabi Town, making it easy to visit Railay for a few hours or a day. Many travelers also stop here as part of an island-hopping tour, like this popular one.

Day-trippers usually arrive mid-morning and leave by late afternoon. In between, the beaches are busy. And if you’re visiting just for the day, you’ll quickly notice there’s very little natural shade along the beaches and no beach clubs where you can rent loungers (though there are plenty of bars and cafés).

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