Rayaburi Resort (Racha Island)

The beach was okay. As for the hotel, it was unclean. The pool looked rusty, and there was no hot water in our bathroom. Moreover, the service is below average. Not many options of food too.. way too expensive and not even good. I would not recommend coming here.

One thing any visitor should keep in mind is that here you pay for staying on the island, not for staying at the hotel. And the island is so beautiful (just don’t look down while walking it’s paths and trails, then you won’t see the garbage and waste distributed evenly along them), that for the hotel it is just enough to provide you the basic conveniences for the period you stay on it. Besides, once you arrive you can’t escape on your own – so be tolerant and flexible, you don’t have no other choice anyway. That said, what have we found at Rayaburi? 1. Hotel speedboat transfer expensive (1200 baht per an adult, 800 baht per a child roundtrip) but again you have no other choice – there is no public transportation between the Chalong pier and Racha island. 1 hour speedboat ride each way (longer if not all 3 speedboat engines are functioning – back to that topic later), which can be a challenge if the sea is rough. 2. Checking-in smooth and easy (as well as checking-out); the reception stuff (as well as all the other stuff we dealt with) friendly, attentive and efficient. 3. The architecture and scenery above and beyond expectations. The hotel territory is huge, beautifully designed and well-kept. Staff uses vintage-farm-style vehicles to drive (and to drive the guests when needed) around the premises - which added to the local exotic in our perception. Yes there are several half-collapsed structures which were evidently in use during better days; yes there are some facilities not yet collapsed but already not functioning (kids’ club and a gym, both fully equipped and fully abandoned). 4. The room spacious, perfectly equipped and accompanied by a small comfortable terrace and a huge comfortable bathroom. No water in the bath, but we were quite happy with the shower. Beds not that comfort-able, but certainly sleep-able. The first evening we were attacked by the mosquitos, but the stuff took care of it by means of a repellent – smelt awfully for some time, but the intruders were gone forever. (Tip: the repellent seems to be very powerful, so if your neighboring room is treated with it – chances are, your room will also be mosquito-free. Conclusion: wait until your neighbors ask for there room to be treated, then you may be spared of the odor  ) 5. The pool big and lovely, with enough sunbeds; one side of the pool is always shaded. And you can almost jump into the pool right from your room’s terrace. That alone made us feel like this is the place we belong to! 6. The hotel’s beach is not suitable for swimming – the sea too shallow and ground covered with corals. Besides, the creek which runs through the island and the cleanliness of which I strongly doubt, flows into the sea right on the beach. If you want a beach which is as heavenly as the postcards suggest, go out of the hotel’s premises through the side entrance (far right corner if to face the hotel’s territory from the beachfront), then pass the bridge over the creek – minimarket left behind you – and turn right. In five minutes’ walk you’ll find yourself on the beach belonging to Racha hotel. This is Heaven on Earth. 7. The restaurant fine – beachfront view, delicious food, great service – but expensive. We tried the Father Raya restaurant which is cheaper (same side entrance, turn left from the bridge, walk a little longer – the Father Raya hotel and restaurant on your right) but worse to our taste. So we ended up paying more but enjoying our lunches and dinners. The breakfast selection not so wide but perfectly suitable; and, with an opportunity to have a lazy breakfast while contemplating the morning sea and surrounding hills covered with subtropical vegetation… you know what I mean. 8. Wi-fi weak and unstable in the room, pretty good in the reception area. All in all, a perfect place for a short-time bucolic, serene and relaxed family retreat. We only spent there 3 full days and would gladly prolong our stay for another couple of days. Why only 2 stars then? Because of the back transfer from the hotel to Chalong pier. Right after we boarded the speedboat it turned out that something is wrong with it. The boat stopped twice before leaving the bay with the captain trying to fix something pertaining to the engines. Nobody on board spoke English and nobody told us what’s going on and how much our safety will be at risk while at sea. Nobody reacted while I was trying to make them come back and change the boat - or just leave us on shore, because being responsible for a family of 4 including a small child I did not want to set out to sea on a broken speedboat. Finally we figured out, based on captain’s manipulations, that one of the engines does not work, so the only consequence should be us going slower then supposed. Which did not suit me either since my wife is sea-sick, and slower speed at sea means greater rolling. Besides, the crew refueled the boat on the move (!) which resulted in strong stench which haunted us all along the ride. Needless to say, upon arrival to Chalong my wife was in really bad condition. My point is: you are a decent hotel? you charge 1200 baht for the transfer? then you can’t provide that transfer with a malfunctioning boat. This is just unacceptable. Simple. That’s why 2 stars, sorry.

Rayaburi Resort's friendly and attentive staff and the Rayaburi's location are far and above its jewel in the crown! One gets the feeling that the resort was built for more prosperous times; the resort was very underbooked which actually suited us fine! The food at the restaurant was arguably the best Thai food on the island, and overlooking the beach was lovely. I would give the staff 5+ stars, the location 5 stars, the actual rooms, buildings and swimming pool 4 stars. The only downside was the hoards of Chinese day trippers who invade the island each day from Phuket. Rude, noisy, dirty and obnoxious - hardly the Rayaburi Resort's fault! Nevertheless, the Rayaburi's beach more than coped with the daily influx of Chinese, unlike the Racha Resort beach, which looked like a Chinese Benidorm on a public holiday!

My girlfriend and I came to Rayaburi for 4 nights, to get away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket over New Years Eve. We had a great time on the island, and found that the Rayaburi was adequate for our stay. There is a stunning swimming pool, comfortable and clean rooms with AC, a nice bed and warm water in the shower. They even put on a terrific buffet meal for all the guests for the 31st which was incredible, and a very memorable experience. The food in the restaurant was very good, the staff were mostly friendly, however, their level of english was very basic. The wifi signal is poor mostly everywhere except the pool area, the power cuts out twice a day on a schedule, and in general, the hotel just isn't as polished as one would expect. It's very back to basics type accommodation, but overall, is a decent hotel and good value considering where you are and the other options available on the island. Recommendations to the hotel: Transfers to the hotel from Chalong need to be improved. We had made our booking through Tripadvisor and details about transfers were not included. After researching Chalong Pier, we were under the impression there were regular ferries departing to Racha. It wasn’t until we arrived at Chalong that we were told that we needed to book a transfer with the hotel 2 days prior to arriving, and that we had missed the last boat. It ended up costing us 8500 baht for a one way ride to the island! On the way back to Chalong, we went back in fairly rough conditions and most of the boat was completely soaking wet on arrival back to Phuket. There was absolutely no forewarning of this at all, and most of the guests on an overfull boat were dressed in clothes ready to hop on an airplane and go home. It would have been nice to have the captain or a staff member warn guests of the conditions and that they would get wet. This would have enabled them to protect their belongings and also change into other clothes before being soaked. Also, a towel at the arrival shed would have been nice to dry off, as we were all soaked and with no towel to dry ourselves (Only got offered a tap to wash our feet off - As if they weren't already washed enough!) Pancakes would be a nice addition to the breakfast option too :)

Well worth a visit. Clean and tidy room above the pool that was in good condition. Stayed with wife and two kids, had two extra beds brought to the room, was no problem. Not overcrowded, friendly staff. Ok would have been nice with some more restaurant options etc, but it is a small island off the main tourist route so to us at least that was in line with expectations. If your are really looking for top notch you should go for the Racha which is only 10 min walk away (4 hotells in the island), but I would say that the Rayabury is better value for money. Travel a lot both both private and business, can recomend this place if you want a flavour of what Thailand was like 25 years ago, more price than the main land but nice

Do NOT go to this Resort. We booked 5 nights and stayed 4. It ruined our holidays. It started with the conformation about the boat transfer. They emailed the timetable asking wich boat we are want to take ending in telling us 12 hours before that there will be no boat for this time. How can you plan your vacation like that ?! However we made it on our own with a day trip boat for 650 THB p.P. We got a room at the pool area in the second story. The room was in very bad conditions. We booked 5 nights and had to be at the airport in Phuket by 5 pm the same day. They told us again that there won't be a boat for us on the last day. We had to leave one day earlier in the morning and got charged another 650 THB p.P. So we lost almost 2 days. By the end of our last day we went out for dinner. Anyhow the hotel (manager) came to find us telling that we will be relocated to Rayaburi Resort at Phuket for one night. We thought that will we nice of them after all the trouble we had. Arriving at the reception at Rayaburi Resort in Phuket no one would know about us and we weren't booked in. Of course not. We left the lobby without saying anything. Nothing else to say then stay away.

Takeaway: if you keep your expectations low, your stay at Rayaburi might just be incredible fun - a huge plus on your trip to Thailand; however, most people's expectations are too high for this place - and this is due to the high price the hotel charges and they come and are disappointed. I give the hotel THREE STARS to reflect that there are highs (Pros) and Lows (Cons) that are unavoidable. Again, THE KEY TO HAPPINESS WITH RAYABURI RESORT IS TO HAVE LOW, LOW EXPECTATIONS - THEN YOUR TRIP WILL BE AMAZING!!!! Takeaway #2: there are only four hotels on Ko Racha and the expensive Racha Hotel (tanked #1) is by far the best. DON'T BE CHEAP....stay at The Racha if you want a nice hotel stay. Below are the Pros and Cons of the Rayaburi (and I promise you will encounter BOTH Pros and Cons): Pros: - gorgeous beach and quiet (but only during season when boats dock at The Racha's beach); turquoise waters...unbelievably gorgeous...stunning!!!!!!! - Quiet and lazy beach - Staff who have a nice smile and try hard for the most part Cons: - Strange room and building design - Weird items strewn across the property - like a demented Alice in Wonderland - Odd rules; so many rules at this hotel! a little draconian - Wifi did not work at all in room!!!!! - spacey staff - it doesn't feel like anyone is in charge - not sure who is staff - people just hanging out - room service communications issues - not an international hotel based on services and staff (although some staff nice) - a weird ten minute walk to The Racha side where boats currently drop off guests and even weirder tractor ride to the hotel from the jetty - BIGGEST CON: giant Asian Water Monitor Lizards are on this island and favor a creek beneath a bridge which you MUST cross to leave the property; i personally saw SIX or SEVEN giant lizards and it freaked me out. Guests at The Racha likely won't see this Again, come with LOW expectations and be DELIGHTED by the azure and clear waters and beach.

Had 4 days at the resort together with teenager and small children. There is only one restaurant on the islands ( hotel area) and it is quite expensive compared to the mainland. The food however is very good. It was a pleasant stay as we had the beach and the pool almost for our self all day. Where upgraded to a poolside room which was very nice. Would definitely recommend it for others but I think four days is a day or two to long, especially when travel with children.

I have to say that I am a Mother of a almost 3yo very active boy.. And his safety is very important to me. Also, usually we stay at 5star hotels so a pinch of salt is required when you read my review. That being said, I would never stay at this resort again with children. We got a big suite near the pool. The room was ok but the bathroom was just old and dirty (as in no one bother to clean the taps for a Long Long time), the water was brown and smelly, you could also see the rust everywhere. Also the door of the shower was detached from the wall and despite asking them to fix it because of the toddler, no one bother to say or do anything about it. Behind the building there was a river (or an open sewage judging by the smell). The pool was large but the tiles were super damaged. My Son had cuts on both his feet and knees. Like he had spent a whole week falling. The food - room service and the restaurant. All really really bad. Just bad. Too sweet. Too bad. The beach - full of glass from broken bear bottles. They don't clean the beach which is rather surprising since it is their most valuable asset. The magnificent water - not that magnificent. Full of broken coral. Nightmare to get in. Please take your crocks. The tours - not many of them. True. But still some. All in all.. If you don't want to stay at the Racha Hotel, go to their beach on a tour out of Phuket. That is a beautiful beach even though a bit crowded. One thing.. Diving in Racha Island is superb. Just use the operator from the Racha Hotel if you want a great, unforgettable experience!