Railay Viewpoint Resort

Breakfast was the best we've had in Thailand, with plenty of options, fresh eggs cooked to order, and staff bringing out more freshly cooked food. The Pad Thai at lunch was the best I've had there so far, and it was handy to have food and drinks on site. The pool was relaxing both during the day and after sunset, and the complex had lots of well-cared-for animals. Staff were generally basic but the women at breakfast were lovely, and we got beach towels to return later. Check-in was quick, and their English was good enough for tourism. We booked the night before and paid quite a bit more than we would have if we'd booked ahead. Getting there with luggage was easy, and the location worked well for coming and going and catching sunrise. Cases roll easily around the complex, but the steep slope and steps down to reception felt unsafe and below standard. The room was clean, though basic and a little worn and dated. No bug issues like in some other reviews. There was mini shower gel and a bath towel, but no hand soap or hand towel, and a basic soap dispenser would help. You can't flush toilet paper here. The shower fittings were rusty, the bed wasn't great, but I slept well and the AC worked. Room service is optional if you leave your key at reception. We don't usually use it, but the staff left fresh water and toilet paper outside our door, which was a nice touch. Some of the pool surface was peeling, and the shower beside it smelled of urine. Still, we had a lovely time in Railay.

The room smelled damp and of sewage. Floors and walls were filthy, the bedding was stained, and the duvet had a particularly strange mark. Brown deposits from the high iron content were all over the bathroom. The shower cracked while I was using it. They didn't charge us for the damage and didn't seem surprised, so I suspect it had happened before. We stayed one night and wouldn't have spent another there even for free. The photos make it look fine, but the actual condition was completely different. Breakfast tasted good, but choices were very limited and there weren't enough seats.

The hotel is on Railay's eastern side, built on a slope, with a small reception and a large dining area lower down. Its small pool and bungalow layout worked well for us. Each bungalow has four rooms, and ours was clean and functional, with a decent bathroom and fairly comfortable bed. Breakfast was very good, with a wide choice of sweet and savory food, and the staff were friendly and attentive throughout. Railay itself is only reached by longboat, which gives the place a feeling of being cut off from the mainland. The scenery is striking, with beaches, jungle, and dramatic limestone cliffs, and there are amazing walks. Around 6:30 pm at sunset, we watched thousands of bats fly from the Bat Cave, spreading across the sky like a dark tide. It was an unforgettable sight. There are several spots worth seeing, but the main thing is experiencing the raw, overwhelming force of nature here. Climbers will find Railay a paradise. One downside of the destination, rather than the hotel, is the many marijuana shops and people smoking in public, which can feel uncomfortable and take away a little from the otherwise peaceful, natural atmosphere. Both the hotel and Railay made for a memorable, unusual stay surrounded by nature.

We paid 30 Bhat per person to enter, and the food was decent without being too expensive. The view is incredible. Get there around 3:30PM to find a table by the glass-floor edge, and bring extra sunscreen since the heat can be intense. Stay for sunset if you can, even though it gets crowded, the view gets even more dramatic. Definitely worth visiting for sunset if you're in krabi.