Railay Princess Resort & Spa Hotel

Monkeys kept appearing outside our garden-view balcony, which felt like free entertainment, and we even spotted a huge Thai monitor lizard. The garden itself was peaceful, and there are two pools, including a lovely rooftop one with quiet views. Getting here was easy too, just a short walk from the boat, even with luggage. Reception welcomed us with a drink, and the staff were professional and friendly. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, with a great bed. Breakfast covered both Thai and Western food, and they left two bottles of water each day. We were very happy with the location and service.

We stayed eight nights, and the natural surroundings were a real draw: parrots, toucans, birds, monkeys, and monitor lizards all turned up during our visit. The two pools have food and drink service, though monkeys sometimes try to grab food and staff work to chase them off. Towels for the beach and a balcony for drying things were provided. Breakfast had a nice mix of Thai and international food. There were no pork choices, which mattered to my partner, who wasn't satisfied with the chicken bacon and sausage. The hotel is at the end of the pier on Railey Beach East, so we could get our suitcases to the room without dragging them through sand or water. The hotel transfer was expensive, though the clean, new, air-conditioned van took us and our luggage all the way from the airport to the room. A hidden path leads quickly to the shops on Railey West, then it's about a ten-minute walk to the beach, mostly because of the heat. We felt safe on the lit path even at night, when other tourists were around. Pranang Beach was also an easy fifteen-minute walk. The rooms need the most work. Ours shared a door with another room, hidden behind a desk, but it wasn't soundproof, so we heard the neighbors talking, sneezing, and watching TV. The freestanding decorative bathroom sink had nowhere to put things. Room cleaning was daily, but towels and bathmats weren't changed consistently, so we had to ask. There were strong bathroom smells, perhaps from the drain or outside, and some shared-area taps were barely attached to the wall. We also found ants after leaving a bag of nuts out while we went to the beach. Prices were fair for a four-star hotel, but better rooms would make a big difference. We'd come back, though not if a comparable five-star room were available.

We were put in a block with a broken lift, which staff said had been out for several days or possibly longer. They called the rooms an upgrade, but we had to carry our heavy bags upstairs ourselves, with no help. Water was also cut off twice during our two-night stay, leaving the bathrooms without water for 20-30 minutes each time. For a hotel presenting itself as four-star, these maintenance problems and the indifferent service are unacceptable. The rooms and surroundings look good at first, and the property has potential, but poor management spoiled the stay. I wouldn't recommend it. Avoid.

The breakfast was fantastic, with lots to choose from, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The two pools were lovely, though we ended up preferring the beaches. The rooms need updating, and that's my one criticism; they could use some investment. The East-side location made it easy to get out for sunrise, and the west side is a short trip for sunset. Railay is fantastic, and the hotel worked well as our base.