Rayavadee or Phulay Bay in Krabi
Jan 2, 2013, 10:05 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: LH Senator
Posts: 256
I have just spent a month i Thailand.
Rayavadee
a total dump. it is nice between 0600-0900 before the thousands of day trippers come to see the wonderful Phrang bay and then they stay. the beach has 1000s of people laying side by side, totally awful.
rooms old fashioned, damp and not 5 star. breakfast awful.
the noise pollution though is what makes this place unbearable. forget peaceful waves splashing against the sand all you get are 100s of long tail boats stinking the whole day long making a real pest of themselves.
Ritz Carlton
i had 6 nights here and did not want to leave, a paradise that out strips Rayavadee. the place is not even in the same league it is on a different planet. Phulay Bay is just simply amazing. rooms huge, resort perfect. baths out of this world. there are no negatives about the place.
if you can get Rayavadee for $100 go for it but take your noise cancelling headphones.
my recomendation is go to Phulay bay while it hovers around the $500, it will go up with out doubt as it becomes more popular.
Rayavadee
a total dump. it is nice between 0600-0900 before the thousands of day trippers come to see the wonderful Phrang bay and then they stay. the beach has 1000s of people laying side by side, totally awful.
rooms old fashioned, damp and not 5 star. breakfast awful.
the noise pollution though is what makes this place unbearable. forget peaceful waves splashing against the sand all you get are 100s of long tail boats stinking the whole day long making a real pest of themselves.
Ritz Carlton
i had 6 nights here and did not want to leave, a paradise that out strips Rayavadee. the place is not even in the same league it is on a different planet. Phulay Bay is just simply amazing. rooms huge, resort perfect. baths out of this world. there are no negatives about the place.
if you can get Rayavadee for $100 go for it but take your noise cancelling headphones.
my recomendation is go to Phulay bay while it hovers around the $500, it will go up with out doubt as it becomes more popular.
In my opinion the breakfast is among the best I have been served in any luxury hotel. It is definitely not awful.
Indeed there are many daytrippers on the most scenic beach but the long tail boats are not directly in front of the hotel since the area is closed off. The daytrippers usually only stay for a short while and I actually like a bit of people watching.
If the noise bothers you there are plenty of other places within the resort, which will be completely quiet. There is certainly no need for noise canceling headphones.
I have been to Ryavadee ten times and still love it. Nothing beats the stunning scenery here. I agree that the design of the rooms is rather dated but some rooms have been refurbished, which helps.
Ryavadee is a great place and NOT a dump.
Jan 4, 2013, 5:34 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
I will try and upload some pictures of rayavadee and some videos so those who have not been can see with there eyes. Words are only opinions. Pictures and videos are generally the truth.
I don't understand the comment that the beach in front of the hotel is blocked off?? This is not the case. It is a national park and the hotel are not allowed to place anything on the beach.
The hotel also sits between 2 cliffs so the noise can not be escaped as it whistles through the whole resort and there is no privacy. I don't expect privacy for $100 but for $1000 I do and there is none.
I do feel that lots of the guests are a little sentimental about this hotel because they spent there honeymoon there 15 years ago but the world has moved on and rayavadee has not.
Yes the deco of the rooms is old and yes some have been re done but not to the standard they should be for the money.
I still feel this hotel will be a relic in a few years time.
Now how do I upload pictures and videos to prove my point?
I don't understand the comment that the beach in front of the hotel is blocked off?? This is not the case. It is a national park and the hotel are not allowed to place anything on the beach.
The hotel also sits between 2 cliffs so the noise can not be escaped as it whistles through the whole resort and there is no privacy. I don't expect privacy for $100 but for $1000 I do and there is none.
I do feel that lots of the guests are a little sentimental about this hotel because they spent there honeymoon there 15 years ago but the world has moved on and rayavadee has not.
Yes the deco of the rooms is old and yes some have been re done but not to the standard they should be for the money.
I still feel this hotel will be a relic in a few years time.
Now how do I upload pictures and videos to prove my point?
Jan 4, 2013, 6:23 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
The hotel also sits between 2 cliffs so the noise can not be escaped as it whistles through the whole resort and there is no privacy. I don't expect privacy for $100 but for $1000 I do and there is none.
I still feel this hotel will be a relic in a few years time.
Now how do I upload pictures and videos to prove my point?
I still feel this hotel will be a relic in a few years time.
Now how do I upload pictures and videos to prove my point?
I don't think it is a question of value for money, but that certain resorts appeal to different people. I also stay at Phulay Bay and am fully aware that it is nicer in some respects, but I choose Rayavadee for its setting and its sensitive environmental design. For this same reason I have chosen Soneva Kiri for my upcoming trip to Thailand.
Jan 4, 2013, 8:41 am
#34
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,844
I don't believe that FT has the capability of uploading videos. Pictures of reasonable size can be uploaded by just including the URL of the .jpg for the picture. I think the picture has to be somewhere else on the web already, you can't upload a picture from your PC -- but I could be wrong about that.
Jan 5, 2013, 7:44 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
I have just returned from a trip to thailand.
Phulay bay is perfect. everything about the place is amazing.
yes food is expensive but not silly.
breakfast amazing
rooms amazing
staff amazing
Trip advisor could not have got it more wrong.
i spent 6 days at PB and 5 at Rayavadee. Rayavadee is a dump in comparison. i could not believe how many long tails boats park on the beach in front of Rayavadee, disgusting vile place.
go to PB its a paradise.
top tip is a visit to Pan beach which is 5 mins from PB.
Phulay bay is perfect. everything about the place is amazing.
yes food is expensive but not silly.
breakfast amazing
rooms amazing
staff amazing
Trip advisor could not have got it more wrong.
i spent 6 days at PB and 5 at Rayavadee. Rayavadee is a dump in comparison. i could not believe how many long tails boats park on the beach in front of Rayavadee, disgusting vile place.
go to PB its a paradise.
top tip is a visit to Pan beach which is 5 mins from PB.
Jan 7, 2013, 11:47 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT, UA Silver, EK Gold, Hilton Diamond, Global Entry, Clear
Posts: 1,082
Jul 10, 2013, 6:10 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2009
Location: North Carolina
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum Premier, National Executive Elite
Posts: 131
All, we are planning a stay for 4 nights at PB in late August and need to decide between:
Ocean Pavilion, Guest room, 1 King, Bathrooms: 2, Ocean view
Beach Villa, 1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beachfront
I like the idea of Ocean Pavilion since it is set back rom the beach with a full view of the resort but the idea of walking right out onto the beach is also appealing.
Anyone have any comments on deltas? Its about a 10k THB difference, and not sure if being able to walk right onto the beach is really worth that.
Thanks.
Ocean Pavilion, Guest room, 1 King, Bathrooms: 2, Ocean view
Beach Villa, 1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beachfront
I like the idea of Ocean Pavilion since it is set back rom the beach with a full view of the resort but the idea of walking right out onto the beach is also appealing.
Anyone have any comments on deltas? Its about a 10k THB difference, and not sure if being able to walk right onto the beach is really worth that.
Thanks.
Jul 10, 2013, 9:32 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
All, we are planning a stay for 4 nights at PB in late August and need to decide between:
Ocean Pavilion, Guest room, 1 King, Bathrooms: 2, Ocean view
Beach Villa, 1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beachfront
I like the idea of Ocean Pavilion since it is set back rom the beach with a full view of the resort but the idea of walking right out onto the beach is also appealing.
Anyone have any comments on deltas? Its about a 10k THB difference, and not sure if being able to walk right onto the beach is really worth that.
Thanks.
Ocean Pavilion, Guest room, 1 King, Bathrooms: 2, Ocean view
Beach Villa, 1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Beachfront
I like the idea of Ocean Pavilion since it is set back rom the beach with a full view of the resort but the idea of walking right out onto the beach is also appealing.
Anyone have any comments on deltas? Its about a 10k THB difference, and not sure if being able to walk right onto the beach is really worth that.
Thanks.
Jul 11, 2013, 6:30 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
Reserve villas are spot on. Agree the Beach villas are a bit tired but the rest of the resort is simply wornderful.
Reserve pavilions are fine to the bath room will be a little smaller but not much else.
Enjoy your stay.
Reserve pavilions are fine to the bath room will be a little smaller but not much else.
Enjoy your stay.
Jul 11, 2013, 6:36 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
BTW
Grumbler by name and clearly nature. My views on Rayavadee remain extant. the most disapointing travel experience of my life. i have a right to say what my opinion is and i still think it is a dump.
what i found really interesting is the amount of messages that rayavdee placed on facebook to get so called fans to submit reports on tripadvisor to say what a great place it was after i wrote a review. Steven King is less ficticous than some of those reviews.
i wrote a damning report called paradise lost because for me that is what it is. The 12 or so guests i met whilst there shared my opinion.
Grumbler-when are you going back to Rayavadee??? never i suspect!
Grumbler by name and clearly nature. My views on Rayavadee remain extant. the most disapointing travel experience of my life. i have a right to say what my opinion is and i still think it is a dump.
what i found really interesting is the amount of messages that rayavdee placed on facebook to get so called fans to submit reports on tripadvisor to say what a great place it was after i wrote a review. Steven King is less ficticous than some of those reviews.
i wrote a damning report called paradise lost because for me that is what it is. The 12 or so guests i met whilst there shared my opinion.
Grumbler-when are you going back to Rayavadee??? never i suspect!
Jul 11, 2013, 1:48 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
BTW
Grumbler by name and clearly nature. My views on Rayavadee remain extant. the most disapointing travel experience of my life. i have a right to say what my opinion is and i still think it is a dump.
what i found really interesting is the amount of messages that rayavdee placed on facebook to get so called fans to submit reports on tripadvisor to say what a great place it was after i wrote a review. Steven King is less ficticous than some of those reviews.
i wrote a damning report called paradise lost because for me that is what it is. The 12 or so guests i met whilst there shared my opinion.
Grumbler-when are you going back to Rayavadee??? never i suspect!
Grumbler by name and clearly nature. My views on Rayavadee remain extant. the most disapointing travel experience of my life. i have a right to say what my opinion is and i still think it is a dump.
what i found really interesting is the amount of messages that rayavdee placed on facebook to get so called fans to submit reports on tripadvisor to say what a great place it was after i wrote a review. Steven King is less ficticous than some of those reviews.
i wrote a damning report called paradise lost because for me that is what it is. The 12 or so guests i met whilst there shared my opinion.
Grumbler-when are you going back to Rayavadee??? never i suspect!
Jul 11, 2013, 2:16 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
personal attacks and inaccuracies
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 14, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Jul 12, 2013, 3:52 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
Wow - I wish that all the dumps I had stayed at in the past were as wonderful as the Rayavadee. It's obviously that your 'entitlements' have meant that don't have a real concept of what a 'dump' is - especially in Thailand.
If it doesn't have bed bugs, rampant giant cockroaches and chicken wire for walls I don't consider it a dump
It was stuck in a rut until about 5 years ago (as one of Thailand's best / most expensive hotels until about 10 years ago) - eye was taken off the ball, but that's no longer the case. I think the hotel has taken massive strides forward. And yes the 'public' beach can get busy - but it's one of the most picturesque and beautiful in the world (imo) and it's on your doorstep.
Yeh - take me back tomorrow please!
Re: Phulay Bay I havn't stayed, but I strolled by when staying at the Tubkaak - does the beach next to it still have the link to the mine? Just remember thinking that it had chosen the wrong part of the beach to be located as really not pretty. Was a few years ago - so please update?
If it doesn't have bed bugs, rampant giant cockroaches and chicken wire for walls I don't consider it a dump
It was stuck in a rut until about 5 years ago (as one of Thailand's best / most expensive hotels until about 10 years ago) - eye was taken off the ball, but that's no longer the case. I think the hotel has taken massive strides forward. And yes the 'public' beach can get busy - but it's one of the most picturesque and beautiful in the world (imo) and it's on your doorstep.
Yeh - take me back tomorrow please!
Re: Phulay Bay I havn't stayed, but I strolled by when staying at the Tubkaak - does the beach next to it still have the link to the mine? Just remember thinking that it had chosen the wrong part of the beach to be located as really not pretty. Was a few years ago - so please update?
Jul 12, 2013, 9:43 am
#44
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,844
Let's watch the name calling folks, limit comments to the topic!
Thanks,
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels
Thanks,
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels
Jul 14, 2013, 11:07 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
paradise lost
Sorry for Offence, not intended, there are worse things to be called i guess.
What i will say is that FT is a good source of, although differing honest advice and i dont think it is fair when we become as honest as trip advisor... this is what i feel and i read so much about the hotel before i went to find what i did.
yes Rayavadee has one of the most incredible beaches in Thailand and maybe the world but it is ruined now. it took me along time until i could afford such luxury and when i did make the jump i could have cried. The setting is incredible but it has lost its mark.
Not quiet a broken heart but close to it. i was so disappointed with the place. Yes i could even stretch to say the rooms are ok but that is it. we are talking about a at least $500 a night for the smallest room hotel. At least dick Turpin wore a mask. (google if you dont understand)
The beach at 0930 whilst is was there is at the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2q0K...ature=youtu.be
it only got worse i can assure you. The point i am making is places change and railey beach has done so. it is not what it was 10 or 20 years ago. The noise and the day trippers that bring their stereo systems with them just simply make the place awful. I am sure in its hay day it was amazing but it is not anymore, not in my view anyway.
what disgusted me most about the place was on my return and thought i would write a review on TA which has had 1000s of views , The hotel started a campaign asking all of their facebook fans to write reviews so mine would be pushed out of the way, trying to cover the tracks of what is nothing more than a 4 star boutique hotel.
in fact it should not even be in this forum, but thats just my opinion.
What i will say is that FT is a good source of, although differing honest advice and i dont think it is fair when we become as honest as trip advisor... this is what i feel and i read so much about the hotel before i went to find what i did.
yes Rayavadee has one of the most incredible beaches in Thailand and maybe the world but it is ruined now. it took me along time until i could afford such luxury and when i did make the jump i could have cried. The setting is incredible but it has lost its mark.
Not quiet a broken heart but close to it. i was so disappointed with the place. Yes i could even stretch to say the rooms are ok but that is it. we are talking about a at least $500 a night for the smallest room hotel. At least dick Turpin wore a mask. (google if you dont understand)
The beach at 0930 whilst is was there is at the link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2q0K...ature=youtu.be
it only got worse i can assure you. The point i am making is places change and railey beach has done so. it is not what it was 10 or 20 years ago. The noise and the day trippers that bring their stereo systems with them just simply make the place awful. I am sure in its hay day it was amazing but it is not anymore, not in my view anyway.
what disgusted me most about the place was on my return and thought i would write a review on TA which has had 1000s of views , The hotel started a campaign asking all of their facebook fans to write reviews so mine would be pushed out of the way, trying to cover the tracks of what is nothing more than a 4 star boutique hotel.
in fact it should not even be in this forum, but thats just my opinion.
