An unmissable Railay Beach hotel and resort guide, detailing some of the best accommodation options in Krabi.
Railay is a small peninsula with no cars or road transport located just 15 minutes by boat from Ao Nang. Thousands of tourists flock to Railay each year due to its stunning beaches that feature unique limestone cliffs and crystal-clear water especially that of Phra Nang Beach. Furthermore, it boasts some of the best things to do in Thailand like rock climbing!
Some of the best Krabi resorts can be found in Railay making where to stay in Krabi a much easier process.
In this accommodation guide, I will detail the best Railay Beach Hotels, hostels, and luxurious resorts so you can enjoy this Krabi beach paradise in style!
My top picks are Rayavadee Resort for luxurious villas and the Railay Princess Resort for those on a tighter budget!
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 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.
Tip: On my last trip to Railay I spotted Dusky Leaf Monkeys with their bright orange young in the early morning inside Rayadavee Resort. The group had around 20 monkeys and are known to frequent this area before tourists awaken.
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 want 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. I stayed here on my last visit and really enjoyed my time. The best part was watching the young monkeys play in the water near the swimming pool.
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!
Tip: Railay Princess Resort also allows you to book the ferry to Koh Lanta from their ticket desk located at the front of the hotel next to the ATM. This helped on my last trip as the line was long and the sun was blazing on the pier ticket desk.
6. Blanco Hideout Railay - Best Budget Accommodation
Blanco Hideout not only offers 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.
The hostel also runs a pub crawl for those wanting to enjoy a night out.
Railay Inland - 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.
Tip: If you're looking for delicious local Thai food check out Tree House Bar & Restaurant. It had the best papaya salad I have ever tasted!
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 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 haggling with the local 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.
My Hotel Selection Process
- Accommodation Criteria: I've selected hotels in Railay based on location, price, current traveler reviews, and my own personal experiences.
- My Experience: I've visited Railay several times and stayed in all areas. Each area offers something unique and different which helped in selecting the preferred hotels.
- Top Reviews: I constantly check, research, and compare hotel reviews across several booking sites including Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Hotels.com. I update my recommendations regularly to ensure they are still the best options.
- Local Insights: Having traveled to Railay many times I have stayed in many of the hotels and spoken with other travelers which has guided me in my selection process.
Read more about how I review & select hotels & accommodations.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler since 2018. Each accommodation option in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
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. This visits multiple Krabi Islands 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
When is the best time to visit 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.
What nearby islands can you explore from the Railay Beach area?
One of the most popular island excursions you can go on from Railay Beach is to the small island of Ko Poda.
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.
How to get to Railay Beach?
There are no vehicle roads to the Railay Peninsula, meaning the only way to get here is via boat. Staying in Ao Nang is also possible and the best way to get to Railay is to 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.
- Things to do in Railay - my ultimate guide to Thai backpacker mecca
- 10 Best Krabi Island Tours - discover the best of Thailand's south
- Best Phi Phi Day Trips - how to plan an epic day trip to Phi Phi Island
- Best Beaches in Krabi - find the top 15 beaches you need to visit on your trip.
Plan Your Krabi Accommodation
Still in the planning stages of your trip? Perhaps you're booking on the fly. The below accommodation guides will help you plan where to stay in Thailand.
