A luxury-tinged guide to Thailand’s Railay Beach

Karla Cripps
By Karla Cripps, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 2:04 PM EDT, Mon June 4, 2018
<strong>Railay peninsula: </strong>A climber's view of the Railay peninsula, taken during a Krabi Rock Climbing course. Railay looks and feels like an island but it's actually part of the Thai mainland facing the Andaman Sea.
Railay peninsula: A climber's view of the Railay peninsula, taken during a Krabi Rock Climbing course. Railay looks and feels like an island but it's actually part of the Thai mainland facing the Andaman Sea.
Krabi Rock Climbing
<strong>Rayavadee resort: </strong>if you want to do Railay in true luxury style, Rayavadee is your only option. The high-end resort is beautifully embedded into the natural surroundings.
Rayavadee resort: if you want to do Railay in true luxury style, Rayavadee is your only option. The high-end resort is beautifully embedded into the natural surroundings.
Rayavadee
<strong>Bird's eye view: </strong>An aerial photo of<strong> </strong>Rayavadee, which first opened nearly 25 years ago. It's made up of 96 spacious two-story pavilions and five villas, several of which have private pools.
Bird's eye view: An aerial photo of Rayavadee, which first opened nearly 25 years ago. It's made up of 96 spacious two-story pavilions and five villas, several of which have private pools.
Vikrom Chouylai/Rayavadee
<strong>Phra Nang Beach: </strong>The large resort offers direct access to both West and East Railay as well as Phra Nang, pictured.
Phra Nang Beach: The large resort offers direct access to both West and East Railay as well as Phra Nang, pictured.
Rayavadee
<strong>Deluxe Pavilion:</strong> The exterior of one of Rayavadee's Deluxe Pavilions. The two-story structures come with a living area on the ground floor that can be converted into an extra bedroom for families.
Deluxe Pavilion: The exterior of one of Rayavadee's Deluxe Pavilions. The two-story structures come with a living area on the ground floor that can be converted into an extra bedroom for families.
Manoo Manookulkit/Rayavadee
<strong>Deluxe Pavilion bedroom:</strong> The second floor of the pavilion is where you'll find the master bedroom and bathroom.
Deluxe Pavilion bedroom: The second floor of the pavilion is where you'll find the master bedroom and bathroom.
Manoo Manookulkit/Rayavadee
<strong>Family Pavilion: </strong>Some Family Pavilions come with a freshwater, 3 x 8 meter private pool.
Family Pavilion: Some Family Pavilions come with a freshwater, 3 x 8 meter private pool.
Rayavadee
<strong>The Grotto: </strong>Rayavadee has four dining options. Most famous among them is restaurant "The Grotto." Set in a cave on Phra Nang Beach, the tables and chairs sit right on the sand.
The Grotto: Rayavadee has four dining options. Most famous among them is restaurant "The Grotto." Set in a cave on Phra Nang Beach, the tables and chairs sit right on the sand.
Vikrom Chouylai/Rayavadee
<strong>Rock climbing: </strong>Railay is famous for its rock climbing. <a href="http://krabirockclimbing.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Krabi Rock Climbing</a> is one of several companies offering equipment rentals and private guided climbs.
Rock climbing: Railay is famous for its rock climbing. Krabi Rock Climbing is one of several companies offering equipment rentals and private guided climbs.
Krabi Rock Climbing
<strong>Railay's best views: </strong>No need for a drone when you can simply climb up a cliff for views like this. There are more than 600 climbing routes set up in 45 different areas accessible from Railay's shores, according to Krabi Rock Climbing.
Railay's best views: No need for a drone when you can simply climb up a cliff for views like this. There are more than 600 climbing routes set up in 45 different areas accessible from Railay's shores, according to Krabi Rock Climbing.
Krabi Rock Climbing
<strong>Not just for the pros: </strong>"We have routes for all levels," owner Satarpon Dindang tells CNN Travel.<br />"Due to this and the amazing views I think this makes Railay one of the top locations in the world for climbing."
Not just for the pros: "We have routes for all levels," owner Satarpon Dindang tells CNN Travel.
"Due to this and the amazing views I think this makes Railay one of the top locations in the world for climbing."
Krabi Rock Climbing
<strong>Railay West: </strong>A row of long-tail boats on Railay West, one of four stretches of sand that make up Railay Beach.
Railay West: A row of long-tail boats on Railay West, one of four stretches of sand that make up Railay Beach.
Pongpat Patumsuwon
<strong>Langurs:</strong> This family of spectacled langurs shares the jungle with Rayavadee guests.
Langurs: This family of spectacled langurs shares the jungle with Rayavadee guests.
Rayavadee
<strong>Phra Nang Cave:</strong> A view of Phra Nang just after sunset taken from inside the beach's main cave.
Phra Nang Cave: A view of Phra Nang just after sunset taken from inside the beach's main cave.
Pongpat Patumsuwon
<strong>World's most beautiful pickup point?: </strong>Travelers wait in the shade on Railay West for the ferry that will shuttle them to Phi Phi Islands.
World's most beautiful pickup point?: Travelers wait in the shade on Railay West for the ferry that will shuttle them to Phi Phi Islands.
Pongpat Patumsuwon
<strong>Phra Nang Beach: </strong>To have this beach to yourself, you've have to visit well before the day trippers arrive mid-morning. This shot was snapped at about 7 a.m.
Phra Nang Beach: To have this beach to yourself, you've have to visit well before the day trippers arrive mid-morning. This shot was snapped at about 7 a.m.
Pongpat Patumsuwon
<strong>Praying Mantis: </strong>Wildlife abounds in Railay. Sometimes you just have to bend down and look for it. This little guy was spotted hanging out on a beach buoy.
Praying Mantis: Wildlife abounds in Railay. Sometimes you just have to bend down and look for it. This little guy was spotted hanging out on a beach buoy.
Pongpat Patumsuwon
<strong>Walking Street: </strong>A long walking street filled with restaurants and shops connects Railay West and East.
Walking Street: A long walking street filled with restaurants and shops connects Railay West and East.
CNN
<strong>Railay West: </strong>Tourists hang out on Raiay West towards the end of a hot April day.
Railay West: Tourists hang out on Raiay West towards the end of a hot April day.
Pongpat Patumsuwon