Last updated on November 1st, 2024
After the pandemic had calmed down a bit, I returned to Thailand and was very excited to explore around the country once again. My first beach getaway after spending about a month in Bangkok was Krabi. Whether you have visited Thailand or not, Krabi is quite famous worldwide for offering pristine beaches surrounded by massive rock formations jetting out of the earth and water. The most famous resort in Krabi is called Rayavadee. The reputation of this beautiful resort precedes it. I was really astonished how nearly everyone I spoke with inside of Thailand not only knew about Rayavadee but also spoke highly of it. Rayavadee Resort is made up of beautiful and quaint villas surrounded by these forementioned jagged cliffs. The resort sits in the middle of three beaches which includes the world famous Railay Beach. The beaches are all part of Marine National Park and are kept in immaculate condition. It’s easy to understand that my excitement was building for weeks before arriving!
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Bangkok to Krabi
As mentioned, I came from Bangkok to Krabi, and to do this I flew. From take-off in Bangkok to arriving at Rayavadee, it took only about 2.5 hours. This was comprised of about an hour long flight, and then an hour long transfer from Krabi Airport to the resort by both resort van and speedboat. The entire journey was very pleasant and easy. It was even faster for departure because the water was calmer.
Check-In
Upon arriving on the beach, the Rayavadee staff were all ready and waiting to check-in all of the new arriving guests. This readiness ensured a very smooth and efficient check-in process. I was led to a seat in the lobby, offered a welcome drink, explained about the resort, and then whisked away to my villa by buggy.
Resort Grounds
Everywhere you go on the beautiful grounds of Rayavadee there’s something gorgeous to look at. I never got tired of walking around and enjoying the massive trees, fish swimming in the ponds, monkey’s swinging from the trees, birds chirping, impressive jagged cliffs, pristine beaches, and loads of wild flowers. It’s quite a large property but only takes 10-20 minutes to walk from one end of the resort to the other. If this is too much, Rayavadee offers complimentary shuttle service whenever you call. However, I almost always opted for the walk to get my steps in for the day!
Terrace Pavilion
Rayavadee’s sprawling grounds are covered with a variety of villas. For my three night stay I enjoyed a Terrace Pavilion which had an area of 115 square meters. All of the villas at the resort are comprised of two floors. The Terrace Pavilion’s ground floor had a very comfortable living room, mini-bar, half-bathroom, and outdoor terrace. The design brought the jungle surroundings inside. It is exactly what I would imagine if someone told me to picture a luxury jungle villa. All of the buildings also possessed a classical Thai style that all of the older Thai resorts have. Usually it consists of a lot of hardwood features and a sense of quality. People that know Thailand will know what I mean!
There is a wooden staircase that wraps around the building. The second floor has the master bedroom and master bathroom. The master bedroom is very spacious, with lots of closet space. There is a king size bed, vanity, and working desk. It was all very comfortable and had a rustic but classy vibe.
Master Bathroom
The master bathroom was very spacious and had an elegant design. It featured a dual sink vanity, standalone bathtub, shower stall, toilet stall, and very fragrant and lovely toiletries. I especially loved the Ginger Top Shampoo. Good smelling things always put me in a good mood!
Family Villa
Rayavadee has several types of accommodations on offer. One of the afternoons, I asked to view one of the Family Villas so I could take photos of the private pool. The family villa is 345 square meters and just gorgeous. Having the privacy of a private pool is always a great perk.
Daily Service
Each day the villa was made up two times, one during the daytime and one during the evening for turndown service. During the daytime the staff would replenish the fresh fruit and snacks which I appreciated it very much. During the evening, I was really pleased that they delivered dried fruit bedside. I love to eat dried fruit in the morning with my tea/coffee so I saved it until the next day! The first two nights they delivered dried figs which are my absolute favorite. Overall, the housekeeping staff were incredibly thorough and friendly.
Fitness, Activities, and Relaxation
The fitness center was located just behind my villa which was very convenient for me as I love working out. Rayavadee has a lot to offer for those who like to stay active! I mainly focused on running on the beach, working out in the gym, and one day I also joined a HIIT Class. However, I really could have taken advantage of a lot more including kayaking, tennis, table tennis, yoga, and excursions. Their pool is located just next to Railay Beach and is gorgeous. When it’s all said and done, there is a good balance of complimentary and paid activities.
Breakfast
The Rayavadee breakfast takes place next to the lobby of the hotel and has both indoor and outdoor seating which are both very comfortable. The breakfast is filled with many options with it’s massive a la carte menu and sprawling buffet. The two page a la carte menu has both International and Asian favorites. I must say that the food every morning as well as the service was fantastic! The whole experience felt very luxurious and extravagant. One of my favorite items was the Dan Dan Noodles. Go ahead, treat yourself.
The Grotto Restaurant
The first night of my stay I enjoyed dinner at The Grotto Restaurant which sits on Phra Nang Beach. Seriously a jaw-dropping location for a restaurant! Everything about it feels very exclusive, especially the fact that it is for hotel guests only. For the evening, I went for a surf-and-turf barbeque meal. There were also a few other tasty courses as well. After sampling everything, I was truly impressed with the level of food quality offered at The Grotto. The combination with the view at sunset is incredibly difficult to beat. A meal here is a must during your stay!
Conclusion
After spending some time at Rayavadee, I could easily see why this resort has grown such a strong reputation. The resort has so much going for it, including its fantastic location, pristine design, plethora of activities, lovely service, delicious food, and proximity to Bangkok. The whole stay went so well that the time just flew by. There was never a dull moment. Rayavadee is truly the cream of the crop and would happily return at almost any time. If you need to get away to the beach for whatever reason, here is where to go. In conclusion, if you’re looking for an absolutely perfect resort in Thailand, specifically in Krabi, look no further than Rayavadee!
Resort
214 Ao Nang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 301 1861
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