Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Withdrawn on a peninsula naturally isolated from the outside, the Rayavadee Premier Resort displays a hotel offer of grand luxury in a splendid environment. Sophistication is omnipresent.
Rayavadee - © EASYVOYAGE
Rayavadee - © EASYVOYAGE
In Ao Nang, around 12.5 miles west of Krabi, by the Andaman Sea. Krabi airport is around 22 miles away, which is around 40 minutes by car.
Built in 1994, the Rayavadee Premier Resort has a total of 100 bungalows (the "pavilions" according to the hotel's terminology) divided in eight different categories according to their location on the site, number of rooms (one or two) and whether they have a private garden and swimming pool or not, and include also two "presidential" villas. Each bungalow, round-shaped with bay windows on all the perimeter, has two accommodation levels each provided with a toilet; the bedrooms are upstairs. Designed with taste, the accommodation of the vast interior space of the bungalows shows noble materials, a lot of panelling and warm colours. The level of the equipment (video in all rooms, many telephones, splendid bathroom, etc.) corresponds to the quality standards of a grand luxury establishment.
The Rayavadee Premier Resort occupies the totality of a vast coconut grove installed at the extremity of Cape Phra Nang, a border peninsula of the bay of Ao Nang whose topography (high karst reliefs inaccessible by foot) naturally isolates the surroundings, which explains why you can only access it via sea. The resort displays its installations (a complex of residential bungalows on one side and numerous common spaces such as swimming pool, restaurants and sport centre on the other side) on an imposing area dotted with gardens and artificial lakes. Circulation on the site is possible, on request, thanks to small electric buggies available free of charge to the guests.
The two restaurants of the resort offer a catering level in conformity to the standard of the hotel in a fancy setting favouring privacy: a sophisticated gastronomy combining Thai specialities and international cuisine, supported by a wide range of wines and spirits. The prices are of course according to the standards. On request, you can ask for a special barbecue menu in your bungalow.
The big style: in fact, the resort benefits from a direct access to no less than three different beaches (Nam Mao Beach, Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach, the most beautiful), of course open to the public but their very difficult access makes them very private. Then all of them, in an enchanting setting, far from the overpopulation of a good number of Thai beaches, offer unlimited relaxation possibilities, as well as all the resources wanted by swimming and water sports lovers.
The access to the Rayavadde Premier Resort is exclusively by boat. In Ao Nang, a luxurious waiting room next to the boarding point allows the guests to wait for the arrival of the shuttle (around 10 minutes by car). The hotel is also directly served by speedboat from Phuket and Phi Phi Island. The immediate surroundings of the resort, marked by karst reliefs typical of this part of Thailand, constitute a spot well-known by climbing lovers, who go there from all over the world to face the vertical walls.
sauna, massage, spa, beauty salon, keep fit, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, beach volley, squash, kayak, canoe, fitness, gym, sports
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As its name suggests, the Tubkaak is a charming little hotel located in Krabi. It opened in 2003 and the few facilities dotted around its 6-acre property have been designed to provide guests with the highest levels of comfort. It is worth bearing in mind that the hotel is not recommended for children though, and its clientele actually consists entirely of couples.
With just 57 rooms, the Amari Vogue Resort is a small, modestly-sized establishment, its various buildings stretch (lengthwise) down towards the sea. This, of course, means that there are lots of steps around the resort. Given that the hotel offers no facilities for children, apart from a small swimming pool, this establishment is better suited to couples. The hotel's clientele consists primarily of French, English and American guests.
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Close to the beautiful beach of Ao Nang, in the region of Krabi, the Ao Nang Pakasi Resort compensates its relative distance from the beach with its calm and excellent quality accommodation.
The Centara Grand Beach Resort, opened in 2006, has taken over from its predecessor, the Central Krabi Bay Resort. Set in the heart of nature and surrounded by high karst relief, the only way to get here is by boat. Its strong point is its beautiful undisturbed beach, where you can relax in an isolated, idyllic setting.
The Sofitel Phokeethra opened in 2007 and it faces Klong Muang beach, in Krabi. It is a shame that it is not directly on the seafront, but sports enthusiasts will certainly enjoy the nine-hole golf course next to the establishment. This Sofitel, like the other hotels of the group, offers a good level of facilities, but the impressive building it is housed in does not blend in seamlessly into the beautiful countryside of this part of Thaïland.
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