Rayavadee

Krabi

Located in the south of Thailand, the province of Krabi, famous for its karstic or limestone formations, its crystalline waters and its fine sand beaches, has become an important destination for tourists in search of an earthly paradise. On Ao Nang, Krabi’s most frequented beach, the limestone cliffs with their hollowed out caves rise up from the transparent sea, rich in coral reefs. Krabi, with its great many islands was once the domain of Asian pirates. Today, some of the islands have become famous like Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi which are frequented by adventure seekers, divers, fishing enthusiasts and visitors cruising its surrounding waters by boat.
Krabi also has a number of national parks which attract an increasing number of visitors. In the Khao Phanom Bencha Park, the mountains rise to an altitude of 1,350 meters and are home to animals including leopards, black panthers, brown bears, and various species of monkeys and tropical birds. There are also a great many waterfalls and caverns. In the Than Bokkharani National Park, a huge green emerald waterfall rises up out of a broad natural basin. Many of the caverns have temples and monasteries, like the Wat Tham Sua, the Cavern of the Tiger. Considered to be one of the most beautiful in southern Thailand, It is divided into several grottos. The main part has a fairly shallow cavern and the small cells are dug into the neighboring cliffs. Krabi is also a quiet little fishing village which opens onto the Andaman Sea and whose evening market proposes delicious shellfish and a host of Thai desserts.

A Thai village

In the heart of the magnificent Phra Nang peninsula, bordered on each side by two superb fine sand beaches, the Rayavadee Resort, accessible exclusively by boat, is a truly unique hotel. It consists of several originally shaped pavilions whose architecture was inspired by villages in southern Thailand. Perfectly integrated into their environment, between the emerald water and the limestone cliffs, the buildings all have an incomparable view of the landscape.
Surrounded by coconut palms, the four largest villas are spread over several hectares bordering the beach. The pavilions, oddly shaped in the form of bells, are built on two levels. The interiors are soberly decorated but with a great deal of woodwork and warm colors and a contemporary, very chic design. Bay windows everywhere enable guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding flora. Some pavilions have their own fresh water swimming pools located in their private tropical garden. The villas on the beach also have a pool with an integrated Jacuzzi, a private sauna and of course, an exceptional view of Phranang Beach.
For total relaxation, the spa proposes ancestral Thai massages, and for meals, guests can enjoy fresh lobster and western type dishes at the Raya, Thai specialties at the Krua Phranang and international cuisine at the Raitalay Terrace, in addition to a lovely view of Railay Beach. The most original dining experience however, is at the Andaman Grotto. Located, as its name indicates, in a grotto alongside the beach, it proposes sumptuous weekly barbecues while seated on an enormous rock facing the sea, with one’s feet in the water!

There are many traces of the prehistoric occupation of Krabi. In the Tam Hua Kalok or Skull grotto, the walls are covered with prehistoric paintings of human, animal and geometric forms.