PATTAYA HOTEL REVIEWS

Phu Pranang Resort and Spa Located just 20 minutes by car from Krabi’s international Airport to Ao-Nang Beach. Phupranang Resort and Spa location mountainous area on the chong – pli road few minutes to Aonang beach by our free shuttle bus.

Beautifully appointed guestrooms have been designed with ultimate comfort and relaxation in mind. 30 air conditioned rooms with private balcony ranging from the ultimate Superior and Family room with open on to rainforest jungle overlooking the stunning hill, Queen Size beds room the satiny wood and sumptuous comforts mingle with the modern amenities of a three star hotel.

IN ROOM AMENITIES

• Refrigerator / Satellite T.V
• Hot shower / IDD Telephone / Mini bar / in room safety box
• Shower cream / shampoo / cotton bud / shower cap /towel /soap/face towel
• Slipper

ALL FACILITIES

• Swimming pool Tours Desk
• Limousine service Tea / Coffee making facilities
• Restaurant Free shuttle to the beach
• Laundry service Safety deposit box in the room
• Thai Massage Treatment Spa
• 24 Hours Security guard Welcome drink
• Internet access Refreshing towel

  
  

As hotels in Railay become ever more expensive, the adjacent beach of Ton Sai is looking increasingly more appealing for the budget traveller, though the recent price hike at this resort means things may soon be changing here as well.

Nonetheless, Tonsai Bay Resort, opened in late 2005, still offers a viable, high-quality alternative for those who have been priced out of Railay. Its upmarket concrete bungalows are located less than a hundred metres away from the sand of Ton Sai beach, in the shadow of an impressive cliff. This is a real bonus, as most accommodation in Ton Sai is located up on the hillside, often a lengthy walk from the shore.

In terms of location, Tonsai Bay Resort is also ideal for those who may have preferred to stay in Railay itself. At the southern tip of the beach, it is actually closer to Railay West (Sunset) Beach than many parts of the much uglier East Railay (see map for a visual). You can simply scramble over the rocks that separate the two beaches (easier at low tide), or at high tide, take a longtail boat (40 baht per person) - a small price to pay considering you will be paying less than half the price of rooms only a few hundred metres away.

So what’s the catch? The only real downside is that Tonsai Bay has no swimming pool, and the sea is only swimmable at high tide. Other than that, you have access to a much livelier beach bar scene than Railay, which is becoming increasingly family and package-tourist orientated, as well as all the climbing activities available on Railay itself.

The rooms themselves are nicely decorated and tiled throughout. Superior villas come in pairs (semi-detached), whereas Deluxe villas are free-standing and slightly larger. All rooms come with double bed only and have a large terrace out front. TV with satellite channels, air con, fridge with complimentary drinking water, and hot water shower are standard.

The hotel also has a beachfront restaurant, tour information desk, Thai massage service, as well as a minimart and laundry service. Internet access (dial-up) is also available.

Ao Nang Princeville Resort is a lovely little hotel in the same style as the popular Somkiet Buri Resort. What it lacks in greenery compared with the latter, however, it more than makes up for with a great location - although the recent huge price hikes here mean you certainly pay for the privilege of being on the beach front. Granted, there are only a handful of resorts actually on the main road along the beach in Ao Nang, but most of them offer more competitive rates.

There are 32 rooms in all, set back down a private 50-metre lane to ensure relative quiet, and decorated in a beautiful contemporary Thai style. A certain amount of care (relatively speaking, for Krabi) has gone into the furnishings, with a nice attention to detail. The rooms, and indeed the whole resort, are spotlessly clean. The 8 superior rooms have recently been redesigned (summer 2006) and all come with double beds and are located closest to the road in a single row. They are tiled throughout and offer air con, hot water shower (no bath), TV with satellite channels, minibar, toiletries and umbrella. They all have a view of the pool from the outdoor seating area.

The deluxe rooms are housed in the new, 2-storey wing, offering sumptuous furnishings in silk and hand-carved wood; individually designed polished sandstone floors; and granite bathrooms with separate bathtub and walk-in shower. They each have a private balcony overlooking the pool; the top floor rooms also have a sea view - although if you request one of these, bear in mind that there is no lift service.The deluxe rooms offer extra facilities in the form of bathtub, IDD telephone, hairdryer, kettle with complimentary tea and coffee, and an electronic safe.

Deluxe rooms are available with double or twin beds, and for families, Ao Nang Princeville provides connecting rooms.

The swimming pool is average-sized with a children’s splash pool and jacuzzi area attached. The resort also has its own restaurant, White Orchid, which serves seafood and Thai food, as well as your morning breakfast - please note that no pork will be served here as the resort owners are Muslim, from the neaby village of Klong Haeng. There is also a small massage area, close by the reception, offering Thai, foot, aromatherapy and oil massages.

The staff at Ao Nang Princeville we found to be very friendly and helpful - many have been working there since the resort opened nine years ago, so they have an attachment to the place. A tour service can be found on the main beach road at the entrance to the resort - and of course, all the other amenities of Ao Nang, including the beach, are right on your doorstep.

From its relatively modest entrance on the beach road, Andaman Sunset Resort (or Wanna’s Place as it used to be known) opens out back into a vast, green tropical garden with many winding paths leading to the mainly bungalow accommodation.

Wanna and her Swiss husband, Stephan, have been running this place for more than 15 years and it shows. The staff are capable and friendly and the service smooth and efficient. The place has a welcoming family feel and children are well-catered for with a special pool area and menu in the resort’s recently refurbished beachfront restaurant.

Rooms are spacious and clean and have all recently (summer 2006) undergone a revamp, with new paint, furnishings and matresses. The pictures in our gallery were taken in November 2006 and show the new-look rooms.

Andaman Sunset also enjoys a near perfect location. It is one of only a handful of hotels situated directly on the beach front, allowing you access to all the shops and restaurants as soon as you step out the front door. Please note: no accommodation in Ao Nang, no matter what the brochure says, is directly on the sand as there is a road that runs the length of the beach.

Rooms
There are 23 individual bungalows set all over the tropical garden. Each is comprised of a bedroom and bathroom with shower and an outside verandah.

There are also two buildings within the resort, each with one floor. The first is located right at the front and houses 4 deluxe seaview rooms (all with balcony, double beds, bathtub and bathrobes!) and two standard rooms; the other is in the garden and contains 2 deluxe, 2 deluxe seaview and four standard rooms (with balcony/ verandah, double beds, shower only).

Rooms near the front of the resort have the advantage of being closer to the ‘action’; however they can be slightly noisy, particularly in high season. Rooms further back require a short walk, but are more peaceful.

Facilities All accommodation has air-con, hot water, satellite TV, fridge, IDD telephone, safety deposit box and can be supplied with an extra bed for 300B per night. There is a swimming pool and an excellent Thai - Swiss restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other services include laundry, motorbike rental and tour counter, internet facilities and business centre. Airport transfers from Krabi and Phuket also available.

A new breed of hip hotel, Alis would not look amiss on the pages of some global style magazine, with its visible influences from Morocco, Thailand and elements of unfinished, shabby chic

As this is Thailand, this deep trendiness is not intimidating, however. Alis welcomes all guests and with only 34 rooms (including 9 suites) the hotel manages to retain a friendly and personal service.

As well as some great design features, Alis Hotel also offers thoughtful facilities, such as a a pool table and 100″ projector screen showing the latest live sports and movies in the lobby bar - café, as well as chill-out reading and library corners on every floor.

There’s also a small rooftop infinity pool and bar, plus a pretty spa with sea views.

Alis is not a ‘resort’: there are no gardens or bungalow rooms. It’s a city-style hotel, but with the luxury of being in Ao Nang, the architects have kept public spaces as open to the air and elements as possible. Its location does mean, however, that although balconies exist, views tend to be of other buildings (usually hotels nearby - Alis is on the main ‘five-star street’, alongside Pakasai, Ao Nang Bay, Pavilion and Thai Village Resorts, around 400m from the beach). Sea views, while spectacular, are also impeded by roofs.

Ao Nang Beach with its many restaurants and bars is also only a short walk away.

Rooms: Use of colour and attention to details is what is striking in all of Alis Hotel’s accommodation. Rooms are furnished in a mainly neutral palate of beiges, greys and white, with splashes of vivid colour - on one wall, a cushion, a vase, or a bed-runner.

While every room has its own colour scheme, there are some features in common. All the rooms have a glass-walled bathroom, with a protective screen out front and a curtain that can be drawn for the bedroom. There’s a walk-in shower, with a super-sized ‘rain’ attachment. Bathtubs, which we’ll come to later, are only available in the Club rooms.

The Superior rooms are located on the first and second floors. They feel spacious and come with a double bed, twin beds, or one double and one single bed (triple). Beds are high with old-fashioned bedposts.

In-room, you’ll find a small, narrow balcony, TV with satellite channels, a fridge / minibar, IDD telephone, wardrobes as well as robes and slippers.

The nine Club rooms are small suites located on the top (spa) floor. As well as the regular bedroom (balconies with restricted sea view), there is also a mezzanine level (unfurnished), with its own balcony and outdoor wooden tub, for a soak with a view. Connecting rooms are available in all categories.

On this floor there’s also a honeymoon suite, an even nicer version of the club room, with a red themed decor and a very cosy feel.

Facilities: In-room facilities are described above. In addition, Alis Hotel has a small infinity pool on the second floor (no children’s area), a pool and lobby bar, a restaurant - cafe, lobby internet access, tour counter, newspaper delivery service, library and reading areas, big screen with projector and pool table.

Dive centres, ATMs, as well as many shops, restaurants and bars etc are all located very close by the hotel.

Welcome to Sunrise Tropical Resort, a small private empire hidden under the shade of lush tropical gardens in Railey East. Sunrise Tropical Resort offers you happiness and comfort with its impressive service. Inspired by northern Thai style homes, Sunrise Tropical Resort has created and decorated 28 tranquil shelters situated in harmony with their natural surroundings. All of the resort’s luxurious rooms are tastefully designed with modern facilities and ameneties specially selected for our exclusive guests.

Rooms
We offer 28 single storey accommodation units as follows:

Our Tropical Villa consists of 12 semi-detached units, 60 sq.m., one bedroom, one bathroom, with either double bed or twin bed, small dressing area and private patio in front of the villa. The 3 connecting Villas feature an interior door allowing access between the two bedrooms; all pairs of connecting Villas feature one bedroom with queen-size bed and the connecting bedroom with two single beds. Large families may fine the connecting Villas very convenient – But will have to pay for two Tropical Villas.

Our Tropical Villa Plus Junior consists of 5 free-standing units, 60 sq.m., one bedroom with only double bed, one bathroom with bathtub, small dressing area and private patio in front of the villa.

Tropical Villa Plus is our best-value accommodation for honeymooners. There are 11 units, 60 sq.m., one bedroom, one large bathroom with bathtub and small private outdoor shower, small dressing area and private patio in front of the villa.

The difference between Tropical Villa Plus Junior and Tropical Villa Plus is only in the outdoor shower area.

Facilities All accommodation has air-conditioning, hot water, satellite TV, fridge, IDD telephone, safety deposit box, tea / coffee making facilities, hairdryer and bathroom toiletries as standard. There is a 80sqm swimming pool, bar and restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other services available include internet and fax access, massage, babysitting service, tour desk, minimart and souvenir shop. Airport transfers from Krabi and Phuket can be provided.

Your Krabi’s review of Sunrise Tropical: The accommodation at this resort is excellent value for money, providing similar standards and quality to next door Railay Bay Resort, in a more intimate setting and at half the price. However, it could be argued that it also has half the location, being stuck on the east side of Railay - a mud beach that is essentially the goods entrance for evey hotel on the peninsula.

Nonetheless, Sunrise Tropical is worth considering, as it is really only a short walk (less than 5 minutes) to get to either the beautiful west beach, or the even more stunning Phra Nang Cave beach. Once inside the rooms, which are set back from the grubby “beach” area in front of the resort, in a pretty garden, you will feel in a different world. The villas are beautifully appointed, with polished wooden floors, with the Villa Plus having an additional wooden headboard behind the bed. The fashionable outdoor shower in these rooms is a must for honeymooning couples.

Staff in this resort are very good: attentive without being overbearing and seemingly always smiling.

Sand Sea Resort is perfectly located bang in the middle of the spectacular west Railay beach. It’s a well-maintained resort, with all its pretty, individual bungalows spread out over a vast tropical garden filled with flowers and exotic leaves.

Bungalows are spacious, spotlessly clean and, for the most part, tastefully decorated (although there are some amusingly kitsch aberrations). Each has its own terrace overlooking the garden and surrounded by enough greenery to make it private. Unlike the other neighouring resorts, Sand Sea does not offer public access to cross to the east side of Railay, so there are no passers-by and its rooms really are quiet and peaceful.

The restaurant, swimming pool and reception area border the beach and offer r ‘n’ r with soft drinks (no alcohol is available at Sand Sea, although you can bring it in - there’s a minimart next door) and a decent Thai menu, with an emphasis on seafood. An early dinner is recommended to catch the great sunsets over the islands.

We can’t really find any fault with Sand Sea, except perhaps that of many larger hotels: it’s a little lacking in character. But the quality of the rooms and service you will receive are excellent value - and the local staff are charming.

Rooms
There are 68 bungalows, spread out over a large tropical garden. The distance between the rooms and the amount of greenery means each is relatively private. All represent excellent value for money on the West beach, especially following the moves of Railay Bay and Railay Village Resorts (its neighbours) upmarket this year.

The charmingly (mis)named Sweet Cottages are a new category of room for November 2007. They are revamped deluxe bungalows, that have been turned into small suites designed for couples (honeymooning or otherwise) and equipped with king size beds, jacuzzi bathtub, telephone, satellite TV, digital safe, fridge and minibar, bathrobes and slippers, kettle with tea and coffee, hair dryer and a fruit basket and flowers on arrival. Their privileged location means the verandah overlooks the pool and sea.

All other accommodation comes with an outside terrace, hot water shower (no bathtub), television with satellite channels, telephone and fridge. Deluxe and superior air conditioned rooms also offer a kettle with coffee and tea set and a hair dryer. In terms of proximity to the beach, the Sweet Cottages are in the first row, followed by the deluxe air con bungalows, the superior air con bungalows, with the deluxe fan bungalows being furthest from the sand. Deluxe fan and air con rooms are available as twin or double - Sweet Cottages and superior air con rooms are available with double beds only.

There are only small cosmetic differences between the types of rooms in terms of size, layout and furnishings.

Facilities
All accommodation has either fan or air-con, hot water, fridge, TV, telephone and can be supplied with an extra bed for 500 / 600 baht per night. Sweet Cottages also provide a safe in-room; other guests can use the safety deposit boxes at reception.

The resort’s swimming pool is located next to the beach and has a children’s area and jacuzzi pool. The beachside restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please note that Sand Sea is a Muslim-owned resort and as such does not serve pork or alcohol. Other services include tour counter, internet connection, massage and airport transfers.

Railay Princess Resort, along with its sister resort, Railay Bay, is at the forefront of the unrelenting gentrification of Railay. A new resort, that opened in early 2006, it is large in scale and catering mainly to couples and families, rather than the backpackers of yore.

The resort is situated in between the east and west side, so has no direct beach access. Railay West is around 150m walk, through Railay Village Resort.

There is an average sized, freeform swimming pool in the grounds, as well as a large pond (or small lake!), filled with fish and lotus flowers, that is traversed by a teakwood walkway. With the Railay cliffs in the background, Railay Princess enjoys quite a picturesque location. All 45 rooms are west facing, with private balconies and housed in three storey blocks - there are no bungalows here - and are decorated in a contemporary Thai style.

Furnishing and fabrics are nice and the rooms are very comfortable; however, you will occasionally spot a missed bit of paint, or a chipped table corner - testament to the speed with which the resort was built. The marble bathroom features a walk-in hot water shower, but no tub; and all rooms, unusually, are fully carpetted. There seems to be little difference between superior and deluxe, except in the in-room amenities (see below for details).

The Princess restaurant is located next to the lily pond and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as providing room service until 11pm. The Thai food is not bad. Service is generally good and attentive, although English is not spoken fluently.

Facilities
All accommodation at Railay Princess Resort has air-con, fridge with minibar, satellite TV, IDD telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and a toiletries set. Deluxe rooms have, in addition, bathrobes and slippers and a hairdryer. A safe deposit box is available at reception.

The resort’s swimming pool has a children’s area. Baby cots and babysitting service are available upon request. Laundry and dry cleaning can also be arranged. The resort has 24 hour security, minimart and guest information service. Please note that Railay Princess is a Muslim-owned resort and as such does not serve pork in its restaurant. Other services include tour counter, fax & postal service, as well as conference and banqueting facilities.

Location: Only 10 mins from Ao Nang Beach and only 45 mins from Krabi International Airport, West Railay Beach is a narrow beach with surrounding by limestone cliffs accessible only by boat, golden sands, crystal clear water, sheer cliffs and tropical jungle covered hills. Our individual villas are set amid coconut groves and exotic gardens.

Features : 25 Spa Villas (50 sqm / bedroom & a small pavilion 5 sqm, outdoor Jacuzzi), six 2-storey units of the low – rise pool villas (24 guestrooms). Each pool villa has 4 guest rooms and each floor has 2 connecting rooms. Each room has a bedroom of 44 sqm and the balcony 8 sqm.

Rooms
Spa villas: king-size bed only; day bed / sofa available as extra bed; comfortably furnished, outdoor Jacuzzi; hot & cold shower; mini-bar; air-condition; satellite TV; IDD telephone; bathrobes; slippers; in-room safe; hair dryer. The private verandah or a small sala (pavilion) offer a spectacular view of the sea and a beautifully landscaped garden and pond.

Pool villas: king-size bed or twin beds; day bed / sofa available as extra bed; comfortably furnished, bathtub, hot & cold shower; mini-bar; air-condition; satellite TV; IDD telephone; bathrobes; slippers; in-room safe; hair dryer. The private balcony overlooks a beautifully landscaped garden and a swimming pool. Connecting rooms available.

Facilities
Restaurant; 2 swimming pools (160 sqm, 300 sqm); room service; internet service; tour desk; traditional massage; transfer services; coffee & tea maker; fruit basket and welcome drink.

Railay Village Resort & Spa is under the same ownership as Somkiet Buri Resort in Ao Nang, and this upmarket revamp has taken the trademark Somkiet style (lush garden, natural materials) to a new level.

Railay Village is now competing with Railay Bay for the 4-star crowd, with one great advantage: its size. This smaller, 50 room resort has a more intimate atmosphere than Railay Bay (though the rooms themselves are smaller) and it feels less package-touristy. The rooms are beautifully decorated in contemporary Thai style with polished wood - the vaulted ceilings of the Spa Villas in particular are very nice - and two swimming pools means neither will feel crowded.

We would recommend Railay Village for a honeymoon, or getaway break for couples - it’s definitely a resort for grown-ups.

Railay Bay, which occupies a prime spot on the stunning west beach, is the only resort that has been here since the very beginning of Railay’s development more than 15 years ago. As can be expected, it has come a long way from its humble beginnings of 50 baht-a-night bamboo huts and its ongoing evolution reflects the general trend in Railay towards more upmarket accommodation.

The back end of the resort, near the east side beach and the generator, is taken up with Superior Cottages, concrete bungalows that used to be the height of luxury but which are now occupying the lowest rung on the Railay Bay ladder. The rest, going towards the west beach, has given way to brand new luxury accommodation in low-rise buildings, as well as a new crop of beautiful individual suites. All rooms are set within the well-maintained garden, which stretches from coast to coast of the peninsula, although no rooms are further than a minute’s stroll from the main beach.

The sheer number of rooms at Railay Bay, as well as the fact that the garden path is used by the general public to cross from one side of Railay to the other, means that the resort can feel busy at peak times. There are ample numbers of staff, however, to take adequate care of all guests.

The recently opened Bayview Spa, Railay’s first, is another sign of the times. Located next to the swimming pool, it offers excellent traditional massage and beauty treatments in two private suites with jacuzzi and steam room, one overlooking the beach. The restaurant is also set right on the sand and offers good outdoor dining as well as cocktails at the Sunset Bar.

Children are welcome at Railay Bay and the absence of cars and traffic mean they can happily be left alone to play. There are two swimming pools, one on the beachfront and the other in the centre of the complex, both with a shallow children’s play area. The building offers connecting rooms for families or groups of friends; while the twin Garden Pool Villas offer the luxury of a private pool - please specify on the booking form if you require adjoining rooms.

Rooms
Railay Bay Resort has 140 rooms and following last year’s major revamp, there is now a vast array of accommodation on offer, unfortunately none of it falling any longer into the budget category.

The most basic of the rooms available are the 36 cosy ‘Superior Cottages’, built in standard bungalow style and located furthest away from the beach (no more than a minute’s walk) and also closest to the generator, which can be noisy. They are clean and comfortably furnished, with a sofa and outside terrace area.

The 32 Deluxe rooms, housed in a series of attractive one-storey blocks along the main footpath leading to the second swimming pool, are vast and quite decadent, considering all the electricity in Railay is powered by generators.

Everything in the deluxe rooms is cool, soothing, relaxing: the walls and furnishings in their shades of pale cream and white; the marble floors; the pale wood furniture. The temperature, mood lighting and TV can be orchestrated from the remote control panel next to your king-sized bed with its top-quality starched linen.

The aqua green bathroom is also huge and attractively designed and has separate shower and large bathtub. These rooms are available with one double bed, or with one double and one single (triple) and connecting rooms can be provided.

Move on to the next level and you are in yet another class. The brand new Railay Privacy Cottages, of which there are 59, all in privileged positions close to the West beach, or the second swimming pool, offer a large 90sqm living area, completely enclosed by high walls, so you can enjoy your aperitif without being seen by your neighbours (the only downside being that from the outside looking in, the buildings are rather austere).

Each comprises a spacious bedroom /living area with two single beds or one kingsize bed, as well as a sofa /daybed. The ensuite bathroom with walk in shower also opens onto the private courtyard and the open air jacuzzi, that can of course be enjoyed in complete seclusion behind your high walls. The decor is contemporary Thai style, with high quality linens, solid wood furniture, silk cushions in rich colours and gleaming wooden floors.

The four Garden Pool Villas are located (two each) at the end of two rows of Privacy Cottages. Each pair of villas is enclosed by the same high walls and features an identical interior design. However, most of their shared courtyard space is taken up by a private, L-shaped swimming pool (approx 6 m x 4m) between the two villas. Railay Bay have now seen the foolishness of selling these villas individually (as the two villas face each other over the pool and there is little privacy from your opposite neighbour) and is now selling them (from Nov 2007) as a double unit, ideal for families or small groups.

Seven Railay Suite Cottages are located to the front of the resort closer to the beach. They are 70sqm individual houses, all with kingsize beds, and are secluded in a semi-private garden (not laid out in straight rows like the other rooms). They have a design scheme similar to that of the building rooms, but feature a large outdoor verandah and a Balinese-style open air shower that is accessed through the bathroom, which has an indoor jacuzzi tub. They also have a DVD player in addition to the basic facilities.

The final word in luxury, however, goes to the three Beachfront Suites located on the front row overlooking the main swimming pool and the sand. These are structurally and design-wise exactly the same as the Railay Suite Cottages, but command a premium price for their sea views.

Facilities
All accommodation has air-con, hot water shower, cable TV, fridge / minibar, hot water kettle, IDD telephone, digital safe, umbrellas, bathrobes and slippers as standard and can be supplied with an extra bed for 750 baht per night.

All room categories above the Superior cottages also have the following facilities: welcome fruit basket, daily English newspaper, bath tub in bathroom (Railay Privacy Cottages and above have a jacuzzi bathtub). A DVD player is available in the Railay Suite cottages, the Garden Pool Villas and the Beachfront Suites.

The resort has two swimming pools: one is located next to the beach, the other is located towards the back of the resort, near the deluxe rooms and Privacy Cottages, with a mountain view. Both have a children’s swimming area. The beachside restaurant is open for the buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner and the Sunset Bar is open for evening drinks. Other services include tour counter, spa with massage and beauty treatments and airport transfers.