Located in southern Thailand, Railay Beach is a small peninsula accessible only by sea. To make the most of your trip and choose the hotel best suited to your needs, it’s nevertheless crucial to ask yourself the question of where to stay in Railay when making your preparations.
People often come here from Ao Nang, but also from other places such as Koh Phi Phi or Phuket, thanks to the jetty on the eastern shore. This makes it a very unspoilt place. People come here to enjoy the island’s beaches and unspoilt scenery, in a very relaxed atmosphere.
In this guide, we’ll show you the different accommodation options, with our recommendations.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Railay Beach, here are some key things you need.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Railay Beach:
- $$ this hotel right on the West Beach
- $$$ this luxury hotel, on the East Beach
Map of different areas to stay in Railay Beach
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Areas where to stay in Railay Beach
Here are the different places where you can choose where to stay in Railay Beach:
Stay in Railay near the main beach
Railay West beach is the most famous beach on this peninsula. It's where you'll arrive from Ao Nang or the surrounding islands.
You can spend a day here, or stay longer. Surrounded by the famous limestone rocks for which Thailand's southern landscapes are famous, you can go there to watch the sunset.
The hotels, restaurants and shops lining the beach blend in perfectly with the vegetation, and you'll enjoy discovering the vibrant island life. Indeed, despite its size, you'll find plenty of places to relax and party.
The island has a rather quiet, “hippy” reputation, and you'll love immersing yourself in this timeless atmosphere, which will make you disconnect from your everyday life.
From West Beach, you'll have access to the island's main and only shopping street. Bars, restaurants, mini-markets, souvenir stores, excursions and activities... It's all there for you to enjoy, without suffocating under the weight of concrete buildings.
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This establishment offers luxurious cottages, all located just a few minutes from the famous Railay Beach. Tastefully decorated rooms and services such as the restaurant and spa are sure to please.
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Enjoy the comfort of these small bugalows surrounded by nature. Fully equipped, you'll enjoy staying here after spending the day on Railay West Beach. Thai massage, tour desk and beach restaurant, let yourself be carried away by this hotel.
Staying in northern Railay
As mentioned, you can only get around on foot or by bike. On the eastern side, you'll find a path that runs along the peninsula, passing between mangroves and houses. At the end, you'll reach the north of the peninsula.
Here, you'll find a variety of different accommodation options, all with one thing in common: breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea and sumptuous sunrises.
Nestled in the heart of the Thai forest, you'll enjoy discovering the local flora and fauna. Although only a few minutes' walk from the bustling center, you'll feel as if you're alone in the world.
Here you can discover the sumptuous natural site of Diamond Cave. This immense cave is hidden in the heart of a limestone mountain, and you'll love discovering all its secrets.
Indeed, Railay is still home to many exceptional, unspoilt natural sites that you'll want to visit.
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This establishment offers accessible accommodation with a direct view of the Andaman Sea, on the edge of East Beach. In this small hotel nestled in the jungle, you'll enjoy discovering a relaxed atmosphere conducive to relaxation.
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Isolated on a cliffside with a breathtaking view of East Beach, this hotel provides all the comforts you need for a quality stay. With its swimming pool, restaurant and direct access to the beach, you'll enjoy relaxing in a unique, soothing setting on the north side of the peninsula.
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This premium hotel will seduce you with its quality services. Located on the beachfront, these small bungalows offer unrivalled comfort in the heart of nature, where you'll feel like you're all alone.
Accommodation in the south of Railay Beach
The southern part is a little more expensive than the others, but it's full of beautiful landscapes and nature spots. To reach it from Railay West Beach, you'll have to cross the width of the peninsula, then descend along the coastal path.
To get to Phra Nang Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, you'll have to cross the peninsula again. There's a well-marked path at the southern end of the peninsula for this purpose.
You'll then arrive on a vast, postcard-perfect stretch of white sand! Quieter than its neighbor, you'll enjoy relaxing here and discovering the island landscape.
At the entrance is the Princess Cave. This particular grotto, filled with phallic symbols, attracts visitors curious about the place.
In fact, it's a temple revered by locals, dating back to an animist belief that a princess was transformed into a cave following her marriage. The temple is said to bring luck, prosperity and fertility to those who make an offering.
At the end of Phra Nang beach, you'll also find Bat Cave. Although hidden in the forest, access is relatively easy. You'll discover some very unusual and impressive caves. Once inside, you can enjoy the scenery and the view over the island of Ko Rang Nok.
Staying in the south of Railay promises a complete change of scenery in a very quiet and intimate area.
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In these upscale villas, you'll enjoy the comforts of home. Highly equipped, you'll love lounging by the pool or visiting the nearby spa. As you can see, these villas are among the best places to stay in Railay.
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At this luxury establishment, you can enjoy a wide range of services, including various restaurants, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms are tastefully decorated and equipped with everything you need for a quality stay.
Summary
As you can see, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation in Railay. Even if the peninsula isn’t large, the different areas each have their own advantages, and are sure to help you unwind.
In short, the experience will be very different depending on where you stay, but always unforgettable:
- in the north, you’ll enjoy a unique experience in the forest
- in the center, you’ll be close to the lively street and its relaxed atmosphere
- in the south, you’ll enjoy a quiet , intimate atmosphere by the sea.
Either way, you’ll appreciate the calm and authenticity of the surroundings and landscapes.
In general, for equivalent services, accommodation in Railay is a little more expensive than what you might find in Ao Nang or elsewhere on the mainland. Indeed, even if it remains relatively unspoilt by the tourist crowds, it still attracts a more upscale clientele.