Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Villas Railay

The east side of Railay suited me well. It’s close to the dock, keeps you away from the beach crowds, and getting to the beaches was easy. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby too. My wife and I had a villa with a private pool, which changed the whole trip for us. Maybe that’s how we’ll travel from now on, ha! The room was spacious and comfortable, and the staff were friendly. We didn’t get to know them much, apart from Boy at the restaurant, who was lovely and enthusiastic. There are some signs of wear, like scuffs and chipped paint. If you’re not too fussy, it’s not a big deal, and the remote location probably makes upkeep harder. I’d stay again, though I wish it cost a little less. It may be somewhat overpriced, even if it’s not necessarily poor value. I can’t compare it with other hotels on the peninsula, so maybe the price is about right. I’d give it 4.3 to 4.5 stars, though I’d like to give it a perfect five.

We’ve tried Railay Bay, with its great views but dated rooms, though it’s returning, and Sand Sea Resort over ten years ago. Railay Village Resort was our favorite on the west side. Still, I’m glad we gave Bhu Thani a try. The rooms are clean, modern, and lovely, the aircon works well, the TV has modern entertainment channels, and the service is lovely. Breakfast was the best. The pool won me over most. There are plenty of beds, good drinks, and brilliant poolside service, without the towel-bed snatching at other resorts. The check-in and check-out were slow. And please, please update the pool playlist. Those awful remixes ruined “Every Breath You Take” by the Police 😅 Thanks, we’ll be back.

Boy and Kitty deserve a special mention ♥️ The staff were the real standout, so friendly, helpful, and accommodating the whole time. Nothing seemed like too much trouble. We loved unwinding by the gorgeous pool, with its beautiful backdrop. The resort has a lovely open design, full of lush greenery, and the rooms were modern, comfortable, and very well kept. It’s right by the pier, and an easy walk takes you to the other beach, where there are plenty of places to eat. We had a fantastic stay at Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Spa, five stars all the way.

At around £400 a night, this felt at least £150 too expensive. The hotel is fine, but comes across more like a three-star place with money spent on it than a true high-end resort. It looks good in photos and on paper, but the experience didn’t match the price. Our one-bed villa had plenty of space, a comfortable bed, and a bathroom layout that worked well, with a separate shower, toilet, and large bath. There was enough hot water to fill the bath properly, which isn’t always a given in Thailand. The private pool was nice in itself, too. But it wasn’t actually private: another building overlooks it, and room 807 is directly behind the pool bar. Loud, poor-quality music carried into the villa. There were scuff marks, worn furnishings, and tired finishes. The shower had no soft-close glass, the hot and cold markings weren’t clear, and the controls worked in opposite directions, making it very easy to get scalded. The hotel also used a lot of disposable plastic bottles, disappointing on a semi-island where all the waste has to be transported off. It’s marketed as a resort and high-end spa, but there were no spa facilities, treatments, or massage rooms. The main pool got crowded quickly and is right beside a footpath. The location by the main pier and paths didn’t feel secluded or peaceful. There were lots of young children around, so it may suit families, but it wasn’t ideal for a quiet or more adult-focused stay. Breakfast was underwhelming: no fresh orange juice, no tea or coffee offered at the table, a very basic egg station mostly doing omelettes, and other items often cold rather than freshly prepared. The ferry pickup had been confirmed by email but was forgotten because of other check-ins. They did offer a gesture to address an issue, which I appreciated. It isn’t a bad hotel, but felt overhyped and overpriced for what it delivers. The service consistency, attention to detail, and facilities didn’t support the premium image. If you want a genuinely high-end stay on Railay, Rayavadee Resort is the clear standout. It has the prime beach location, and with advance booking it’s often not much more expensive than what we paid here, while the execution and experience are on another level. This place is fine if you keep your expectations in check, especially for families, but there are better-run and better-value options around if you plan ahead.