Rayavadee

Darshan Bhatt

Our 4 night stay at Rayavadee was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Its located between dramatic limestone cliffs and three pristine beaches. The sheer beauty of the location, combined with the impeccable two story Pavilion accommodation and the genuinely thoughtful staff feels like a jungle retreat. The seamless private coach and a boat transfer felt exclusive and was a wonderful start to our holiday. The greeting upon arrival was warm, efficient, and perfectly set the tone for what felt like true luxury hospitality. We were given fresh coconut water and it was refreshing. Our deluxe pavilion room felt more like a private, two-story treehouse surrounded among the coconut groves. The unique circular architecture is brilliant, giving both the downstairs lounge and the upstairs bedroom an airy, bright, and spacious feel. Little details made the difference such as the scent of fresh lemongrass in our room and the surprisingly strong Wi-Fi. Waking up to the sound of sound hornbill and seeing the occasional monkey wander past our terrace was a constant reminder of the incredible and protected environment we were staying. Dining here is an experience that rivals the setting. While every restaurant was exceptional but nothing compares to the Grotto. It was indeed breath taking and the service was exceptional fantastic. The hotel offers many complimentary activities like water sports, fitness and relaxation. However we only did kayaking as we spend much of the time on the beach relaxing. The only downside is the public beach and space can be bit of disruptive at times and feels like intrusive when relaxing around the hotel pool. The hotel is expensive but is does provide luxury, tranquility and spectacular surrounding.

Beata B.

3 beaches in one resort with amazing clear blue water, perfect for kayaking and swimming. Staff is so friendly and helpful, special thanks to Luna! Rooms are extremely clean and room service comes twice a day to check every little detail. Top hotel.

Ethan Sorkin

Don’t get me wrong, this resort was really amazing. The staff was nothing but kind and accommodating, the beach front area was absolutely stunning, and the walking paths were magical. That being said, we stayed in another Railay resort which was less than 20% of the price, and was almost just as nice. We wanted to splurge for our honeymoon, but it’s not really worth the price tag. It’s really white lotus vibes, and to be honest the other guests seemed very snobby. I saw a lot of people bossing the staff around and making ridiculous requests for special treatment. The Grotto dinner was beautiful, but the food was nothing special and was our most expensive meal in thailand by maybe 8-10x. You can still walk over during sunset to see the beautiful view without eating there.

KI HUN KIM

Um...Rayavadee was a little bit disappointing. They have no private beach. The villa is old and shabby, and their facilities also need upgrading. Breakfast was perfect, but other restraurants were just so so. Especially the set menu dinner at their signature restaurant Grotto was very disappointing!! The quality of beef was simply bad, and the barbecued seafood platter was no better than that of outside restraurants! Also the live music there was the worst. Get rid of it!!!! My next stay was Six Senses Ayo Noi, which cost me almost the same, but was 100 times better!!!

Amexcenturiontraveller

Stay: Pavilion near Phranang side Rayavadee is one of those rare resorts that feels like entering another world — not just a hotel, but a hidden paradise protected by limestone cliffs, turquoise water, caves, rainforests, and wildlife that lives with you, not around you. It isn’t a standard beach resort. You’re living inside a national park where nature comes first and luxury follows. If you love untouched landscapes, this place feels like a real-life documentary stay. Our Pavilion had a private garden path surrounded by palms, which meant we woke up every morning to tropical birds and… monkeys. Yes, monkeys are part of the experience here — and they are unforgettable. 🐒 About the Monkeys: Two Very Different Personalities Rayavadee has two types of monkeys, and they behave completely differently. We loved watching them, but it’s important to know what to expect: 1) The Curious Spectators (Dusky Leaf Monkeys / Langurs) These are the cute ones — black fur, white circles around their eyes, calm like philosophers. They just sit, watch, eat leaves, mind their own business. You can observe them like a peaceful wildlife movie. 2) The Professional Thieves (Long-Tailed Macaques) These are the famous troublemakers. They don’t attack, but they will steal anything they can carry: 🕶 sunglasses 🍪 snacks 📱 phones 🥤 drinks 🎒 even bags (yes, zipped bags) They are not dangerous if you don’t feed them or hold food in your hands. Just do not leave sliding doors open — if you forget, they will check out your minibar faster than you will. 🦺 Insider Tips to Enjoy the Wildlife Safely ✔ Keep balcony/terrace doors closed at all times ✔ Never try to feed the monkeys (it makes them aggressive) ✔ Don’t walk around with food in your hands outside ✔ If you’re scared of monkeys, request a pavilion a bit farther from the jungle side (closer to the main path) ✔ If you enjoy them, request the Phranang-side pavilions, great wildlife viewing 🍽 Food & Atmosphere Breakfast under rainforest trees with sounds of waves is magical. Rayavadee’s buffet is not overwhelming in quantity, but the ingredients and preparation honestly feel better than many 5-star city hotels. Try the banana pancakes and Thai tropical fruit — the pineapple was unforgettable. Dinner at The Grotto, the famous cave restaurant, is worth it for the location alone. Book at sunset, ask for the tables closest to the opening. It’s not Michelin-level cuisine, but the setting is one you’ll remember for life. 🏖 Beaches & Nature You can walk barefoot between three beaches, which are normally accessed only by boats. Staying here means experiencing them before the tourists arrive. In the early morning it feels like you own them. 🌟 Final Thoughts Rayavadee is not for people searching for nightlife, malls, or controlled manicured luxury. This is raw, authentic, breathtaking nature with five-star service matching the environment. If you want Bali-style staged luxury, it’s not for you. If you want real beauty, you will never forget this place. It is a once-in-a-lifetime stay — but only if you embrace nature as the host, not the guest.