Rayavadee

We stayed at Rayavadee for two nights and found the resort itself absolutely beautiful and truly unique. The property is exceptionally well maintained, very clean, and surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. Our villa was comfortable, beautifully kept, and had everything we needed for our stay.

For a resort of this caliber, however, there were a few aspects of the experience that did not quite meet our expectations. While the resort itself feels wonderfully secluded, the beaches are publicly accessible and can become quite crowded with day visitors. This does take away somewhat from the sense of privacy and exclusivity one might expect from a luxury resort of this level.

Unfortunately, the dining experience was also disappointing. We tried different restaurants during our stay, including the Thai restaurant, but overall the quality and flavors did not meet our expectations. I had informed the resort at check-in about my seafood allergy. At the Thai restaurant, both my chicken curry and my husband’s chicken noodle dish had a very strong seafood smell and taste, which made us uncomfortable eating them. We brought this to the waiter’s attention and were assured that no fish or seafood-based ingredient had been used and that the aroma was from tamarind. However, given my allergy and how strongly the dishes smelled of seafood, we did not feel comfortable continuing our meals. No alternative dishes or other resolution were offered, and unfortunately I later experienced an allergic reaction. For a high-end resort, we would have appreciated greater care and reassurance when handling a stated food allergy.

The biggest opportunity for improvement would be the overall level of service. Our arrival felt a little rushed, and given the size and unique layout of the property, a personal orientation or tour would have been very helpful rather than simply being given a map and escorted directly to our villa. We also expected a little more assistance with arranging spa appointments, activities, and other details during our stay. Buggy waits could sometimes be long, and the front desk experience felt more reserved than the warm, attentive service we have experienced at other resorts of a similar level.

Rayavadee is undoubtedly a stunning and very special property, and its setting is unlike anywhere else. With a more refined dining experience and a greater level of personalized, attentive service, the overall experience could truly match the exceptional beauty and luxury of the resort.

One of our absolute favorite hotels in Thailand.

This was not our first stay at Rayavadee, and once again everything was exceptional. The hotel itself is incredibly beautiful, but what makes it truly special is the people. The staff are so warm, welcoming and genuinely attentive, while the service is always discreet, thoughtful and of an exceptionally high standard.

Everything is beautifully maintained and impeccably clean, and there is such a sense of privacy and tranquility throughout the resort.

We also had another fantastic experience at The Grotto. We have been there before and absolutely love it. This time we ordered the seafood platter, and it was outstanding — incredibly fresh, beautifully served and absolutely delicious. The setting, of course, is simply unforgettable, and the service was wonderful.

Rayavadee is truly one of the best hotels we have stayed at, not only in Thailand but anywhere. We love coming back here, and we will definitely return again.

Highly recommended.