Railay Great View Resort and Spa

Eighteen resorts line the bay of Railay East, starting with the luxurious Rayavadee in the west, near the Railay lagoon and the long-tail boat service. All the way to the east, past the main pier, the other resorts, and the restaurant- and bar-lined walking street and down a long scenic coastal path, is Railay Great View Resort and Spa. The property takes some effort to get to (especially for new arrivals with luggage), but many guests find the secluded, end-of-the-line location worth any hassle. (The hotel also offers airport transport for those who want to bypass the awkward initial arrival altogether. Great View boats dock on the hotel's east-facing private beach, from where about 30 cement stairs rise up to the lobby.) However, it's about a 10-minute walk back down the coastal path (illuminated after dark) to the main hub of Railay, and that distance makes some guests feel too isolated.

Set on a promontory, the resort fulfills the promise of its name in part, offering some stellar views of Krabi's magnificent karsts dropping into the sea. The Andaman is visible from most points on the property, though the bungalows are billed as partial view due to thick trees and plants. Paved walkways wind through the forested grounds, and carved wooden signs point out the direction of the beach, restaurant, and minimart. Monkeys are often spotted playing in the trees, by the pool, and even on guests' balconies.

The sights and surrounds are peaceful, but many guests complain of the loud long-tails plying the sea below, comparing the racket to the sound of lawn mowers and motorcycles. The noise continues until late at night, so earplugs are advised. Another issue regularly brought up is that the cottages are poorly sealed off from the outside world, meaning that mosquitoes, cockroaches, and lizards frequently join guests in their rooms.

The majority of Railay Great View guests are European, American, and Australian couples. Friends and families do come too, but parents with young children or those with mobility issues may find the terrain is challenging. 

Railay Great View sits at the endmost point of Railay East, the last hotel option when walking eastward. The location is a double-edged sword: It provides a sense of seclusion and truly "great" views from certain points of the property, but it can feel like a schlep from the nightlife and beaches of Railay. From Railay East's walking street (home to restaurants, bars, and tour operators), it's about 2,000 feet down a coastal path to the back entrance of the resort. The walk to and from the walking street takes 10 to 15 minutes -- Tew Lay bar provides a good rest stop for those who need it, along with fried noodles and a cold Chang -- and getting to the beaches of Railay West from the hotel takes more like 20 to 25 minutes. 

If you're going to the hotel straight from the airport, we advise booking your taxi/boat transfer through the hotel. If you don't arrange hotel pick-up and plan to arrive on your own, then be sure to get there during the day, with a well-charged GPS-equipped smartphone. You'll need to take a taxi from Krabi Airport to either Ao Nang Beach or Krabi Town, where you can hire a long-tail boat to Railay. Boats from Ao Nang Beach land on Railay West, so you'll have to walk over to Railay East and down to the resort, and boats from Krabi Town dock on the pier on Railay East, closer to the resort. The hotel also runs a free shuttle boat to and from Railay East pier.

Rooms here are tree-house-like cottages built over the hillside and propped up by brick stilts. These freestanding structures have woven-bamboo walls, wood-plank floors, and pitched thatch roofs. Silk throw pillows and photography of Krabi islands add some color to the earth tones. Sliding glass doors open to the private balconies pointing toward the bay. (Be sure to close your balcony door before leaving, as monkeys have been known to wander in.) Trees and bushes veil the views of the sea, but the blue water is still visible through all of the green. Higher-up units can see the roofs of cottages located farther down on the hill, and most rooms can see their neighbors to the right and left. 

The rustic (but air-conditioned) cabins come in two categories, Deluxe Cottage and Grand Deluxe Cottage. The differences between the two room types are minor, as both are about 390 square feet and come with basically the same amenities -- Grand Deluxe Cottages add separate tubs in the bathrooms, and daybeds in their main areas. All have flat-screen LCD TVs, safes, kettles for the free coffee and tea, free bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Nonalcoholic minibars contain soda, candy bars, nuts, chips, and chilled water, all available for a price. Though the minibars don't offer wine, beer, or liquor, many guests purchase bottles in Railay and prepare their own drinks to have on the balcony.

The large bathrooms have cement and bamboo walls, tile floors, and sunlit ceilings. Notably, the open showers have hot water -- not guaranteed in Railay. Grand units have separate tubs, as well. Slippers, hairdryers, and umbrellas are provided in all rooms. Cots and bedding is available for babies.

A big complaint about the rooms is that they provide many opportunities for critters, like mosquitoes, cockroaches, and lizards, to get in. 

Where Railay Great View most lives up to its name (besides the lobby) is at its garden infinity pool and two pool-adjacent sundecks. These areas offer the clearest views of the Andaman Sea (room views are at least partially obscured by greenery). There is a wooden deck at the pool level, and another located one flight down the hill, closer to the water. Both decks have ergonomic wicker loungers where guests spread out their canary-yellow pool towels and nap. There are also two private beaches -- one facing south, one east -- separated by a forested headland. Kayaks are available for a fee.

All rates at the hotel include access to the breakfast buffet, which includes lots of fresh fruit (pineapple, bananas, dragon fruit), sausage, pastries, cereal, Thai dishes, and eggs cooked upon ordering. Coffee, tea, and guava juice are served. The restaurant closes between meals and offers a la carte lunch and dinner menus. Room service is available.

In truth, the hotel should cut "and Spa" from its name. Spa facilities are limited to an open-air massage hut behind the lobby (no sea views), where two floor mats and a massage chair are set up. The pavilion is right off the main pathway and has no walls, so clients might feel a little exposed during their massage. Plus there's no fitness center. 

A small on-site minimart sells bottled water and sodas and a few other essentials like bug spray. Laundry service and airport transfers are both available for a fee, and a free shuttle boat is available to and from the pier on Railay East. Wi-Fi is free throughout.