An unmissable Railay beach hotel and resort guide, detailing some of the best accommodation options in all of Krabi.
Ah, Railay Beach. Is there a beach any more spectacular than this gorgeous tourist location in the south of Thailand?
This beach area is certainly stunning and features limestone cliffs, an abundance of palm trees, and crystal-clear water to dip your feet into. For this reason, it is no surprise that tourists flock here in the thousands every year. Railay boasts some of the best things to do in all of Thailand!
Are you looking for a place to stay near Railay Beach?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
In this accommodation guide, I will detail the best Railay Beach Hotels and Resorts so you can enjoy this Krabi beach paradise in style!
- The Quick Answer for Where to Stay in Railay
- Breaking Down the Best Areas to Stay In Railay
- West Railay Beach: Best for Outdoor Swimming Pool Views
- East Railay Beach- Incredible Limestone Cliff Views and Caves
- Railay Inland – Great Value Accommodation Close to Nature
- Bonus – Tonsai Beach Resort
- Unmissable Activities at Railay Beach
- More Krabi Adventure & Accommodation Guides
The Quick Answer for Where to Stay in Railay
Railay is a small peninsula with no cars or road transport. Therefore, you can walk to all the pristine beaches, where most of the accommodation options are located. These range from budget backpacker hostels to amazing 5-star resorts right on the beach.
1. Rayavadee Luxury
The best 5-star luxury accommodation in Railay famous for its epic cave restaurant. Boasts immaculately designed rooms, 6 restaurants, an outdoor pool, & incredible balcony views.
2. Railay Phutawan Resort - Hidden Gem
Perfect choice for families wanting to relax amongst nature with incredible views over the ocean. With a free babysitting service and restaurant on site, it's a great place for a parent date night.
3. Railay Bay Resort - Beachfront
The perfect choice for those looking for a bang-for-buck resort. Situated on the beautiful West Railay Beach it is great for those wanting to just relax by the pool with a drink in hand.
Breaking Down the Best Areas to Stay In Railay
Below are my three recommended areas to base your stay in Railay
- West Railay Beach - This beach is the perfect pick for watching the sunset or relaxing by the pool overlooking the ocean. Excellent choice for those wanting a convenient location that has kayaking, paddle boarding, and cafes.
- East Railay Beach - With ocean views and restaurants on every corner East Railay Beach is a great location for those wanting to be close enough to explore the incredible limestone cliffs, Phra Nang Beach, and Bat Cave.
- Railay Inland - Known for its closeness to nature the inland area of Railay ticks all the boxes for relaxation and spectacular views and just a short 10-minute walk to both West and East beaches.
West Railay Beach: Best for Outdoor Swimming Pool Views
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Rayavadee | $$$$ |
 | Sand Sea Resort | $$ |
 | Railay Bay Resort | $$ |
1. Rayavadee - Best Luxury Railay Beach Resort
Rayvadee Resort is a 5-star resort that is beyond stunning and offers both villas and pavilions as an accommodation choice.
If you decide to go with the private villa options, expect a generous amount of amenities along with a lush tropical atmosphere for you and your family. Their largest luxury villa option is the Phranang Villa, which includes three bedrooms, a spacious outdoor pool, and even your own butler!
Furthermore, Rayavadee provides beautiful gardens and hidden areas to relax with only the sounds of birds and monkeys to be heard. It's well-known The Grotto Cave restaurant has excellent access and views over Phra Nang Beach.
2. Sand Sea Resort
Sand Sea Resort is among one of the best cheap accommodation options close to Railay Beach.
There are plenty of terrific reasons for spending a night or two here, and this isn't just limited to the fact that there are two outdoor swimming pools on the property.
Sand Sea Resort offers its own onsite restaurant known as the Sunset Restaurant, and you can expect to indulge in both local Thai dishes and mouth-watering seafood dishes.
After enjoying the food, it is time to take your relaxation to the next level at the Sand And Sea Spa. This spa offers incredible sea views and premium options at the same time.
Now that isn't a bad way to spend a day in Railay!
3. Railay Bay Resort & Spa
When it comes to resorts that provide direct access to Railay Beach, Railay Bay Resort & Spa is one of the few around with this exclusive benefit.
The hotel also offers impressive villas including both their Luxury Suite Pool Villa and Family Pool Villa. The Family Pool Villa is the more cost-effective option, offering two separate bedrooms, a private swimming pool, a stocked refrigerator, and even your own personal hammock for soaking up those rays.
Besides the accommodation options, Railay Beach sits at the front of the hotel!
Now that's what I call convenient!
East Railay Beach- Incredible Limestone Cliff Views and Caves
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Avatar Railay | $$ |
 | Railay Princess Resort | $$ |
 | Blanco Hideout Railay | $ |
4. Avatar Railay
Avatar Railay has a very distinctive name for a Railay Beach hotel, and its unique architectural design matches its quirky title. This resort is designed to be energy efficient, and this is characterized by their natural choice of hardwoods used in the hotel's furniture and fabrics.
Besides its eco-friendly design, all of the hotel rooms and villas come with daily housekeeping and room service to ensure your stay is as welcoming as possible.
A great adult-only option if you're wanting to relax.
5. Railay Princess Resort
Although Railay Princess Resort is a 3-star hotel, you can find practically everything here from an exclusive fitness center, spa, and even its own kid's club.
If the wide range of facilities isn't enough to intrigue you, the hotel's location makes it even more attractive as a whole. East Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave Beach aren't only close by, but the resort is also less than a 10-minute walk from the popular Princess Lagoon.
Not bad for those adventurers among us!
6. Blanco Hideout Railay - Best Budget Railay Beach Accommodation
Blanco Hideout not only offer typical dorm-style rooms found in most hostels, but it is also possible to book one of their sea-view bungalow dorms.
When you combine these options with the hostel's affordable room prices, it creates a perfect place to stay in Railay for those social backpackers out there.
Although Blanco Hideout has its advantages, one drawback is that it isn't possible to book a double room. Even though you could say that this adds to the social experience of the hostel, this isn't great if you are someone who enjoys your own space from time to time.
Blanco also has a sun terrace that provides views of both the beautiful Andaman Sea and Krabi's Andaman Coast.
The hostel also runs a pub crawl for those wanting to enjoy a night out.
Railay Inland - Great Value Accommodation Close to Nature
| Hotel | Price | |
|---|---|---|
 | Railay Phutawan Resort | $$$ |
 | Railay Garden View Resort | $$ |
 | Railay Hilltop | $ |
7. Railay Phutawan Resort
Are you a fan of resorts with natural scenery and surroundings?
Railay Phutawan Resort is positioned in the middle of the Railay area, allowing you to relish some truly incredible views of the surrounding green mountains during your stay.
The resort is not only close to the Real Rock Climbing School which is perfect for rock climbing enthusiasts, but Tham Phra Nang Nai is just a short walk away from the hotel's entrance.
In addition to the above, the resort boasts both friendly service and a stunning tropical garden to relax in with friends and family for the evening.
8. Railay Garden View Resort
Railay Garden View Resort offers a comfortable stay in nature while being more than affordable for any budget.
A particularly strong benefit of booking a night here is that it is close to both Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach but still hidden away far enough to be engulfed by the sounds of nature.
Once you arrive inside this cute little resort, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best hotels in the Railay area. The rooms here are eco-friendly, allowing your stay to be both rewarding and more in tune with the natural world.
If you are a fan of eco-friendly hotels, this definitely isn't a bad option to consider.
9. Railay Hilltop - Best Railay Beach Hotel Views
If you are a physically fit person, you can enjoy some truly breathtaking sights at Railay Hilltop.
This Railay hotel is perfect for those budget travelers who are adventure lovers and aren't fearful of heights.
Climbing to the top of Railay Hilltop not only rewards you with stunning views of the nearby rock formations, but you will also have the opportunity to order food and drinks from the restaurant there.
In addition, the hotel's location is another important element that needs to be mentioned. It is close to Diamond Cave and the town of Ao Nang is only a 15-minute boat ride away.
Bonus - Tonsai Beach Resort
Tonsai is a small beach peninsula right next to Railay Beach famous for its stunning cliffs, pristine beach, and rock climbing scene. It's very easy to get to via boat or a short hike from Railay West Beach, making it a great option if you're looking for a beach resort in Railay that's really tucked away.
10. Tinidee Hideaway - A Short Walk from Railay Beach
Tinidee Hideaway is located directly next to Railay West Beach.
This resort offers various villa choices, including the possibility of renting your own beach house-style villa if you want to.
What is especially surprising about staying here is the huge amount of facilities that are offered. This includes the resort's private transfer service from Krabi Airport, perfect for those who don't enjoy using the local shuttle service.
Another slick feature of this cute hideaway hotel is its social lounge. This is known as their Longhouse Lounge. This a great space to meet other travelers while in Railay, and it is a friendly reminder that you aren't alone during your stay.
Unmissable Activities at Railay Beach
Below are our top 3 recommendations for the best activities to do during your time at Railay.
1. Phi Phi Speedboat Tour Top Pick
Spend less time in transit & more time snorkeling among coral gardens and lazing on white sand beaches at Maya Bay & Phi Phi Islands. Departs daily from Railay East Beach.
2. 4 Islands Longtail Boat Tour
The classic "4-islands" boat tour in a traditional Thai long-tail boat departing from Railay. Visits Tup Island, Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and Phra Nang Beach.
3. Railay Beach Beginner Rock Climbing
An introduction to Krabi's limestone rock climbing on a half-day tour at Railay Beach. Learn climbing & belay techniques from an expert guide & climbing the cliffs above Railay & Phra Nang Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accommodation in Railay
The best time to visit Railay is during the dry season of November to March. During this time, the weather is warm and the days are dry. However, this is also the busy high season and a popular destination on the Thailand backpacking circuit. Visiting in the shoulder season of April or late October is a good balance.
One of the most popular island excursions you can go on from Railay Beach is to the small island of Ko Poda. The good news about visiting here is that many of Railay's resorts include this tour.
In addition to Ko Poda, I would also recommend visiting Chicken Island and Phi Phi Leh Island which you can get to by either speed boat or long-tail boat.
There are no vehicle roads to the Railay Peninsula, meaning the only way to get here is via boat. The best way to get to Railay is from nearby Ao Nang where you can catch a longtail boat which takes around 15 minutes.
More Krabi Adventure & Accommodation Guides
I hope you enjoyed this accommodation guide on some of the best hotels and resorts you can find near Railay Beach. If you are interested in visiting more places in Thailand, feel free to check out our additional guides below.
