Krabi or where else?

Hello all, I have come to a grinding halt on making a decision for our honeymoon next April.

We are getting married at Rocky Resort in Ko Samui then intend on flying to another part of thailand for our honeymoon (or maybe Malaysia or somewhere else!?)

I want it to be a mega-special resort, money no object (once in a lifetime after all!) it needs to be away from the tourist trail, secluded and on the beach. and ideally with private Villas with their own pools as an option..

A the moment I love the sound of Rayavadee Resort in Krabi but am still not totally convinced, some elements put me off (the food isnt meant to be 5 star and the beach isnt private which some people have complained about..).

Also has this part of Thailand recovered from the Tsunami disaster yet?

Thanks!

Ben

Krabi or where else?

I would definitely look at the Tubkaak in Krabi, The rooms are very individual, lovely pool and the most fantastic beach I would say the best in Krabi, completely private. You will never get better service anywhere, the rooms are beautiful with outside bathrooms. The food is excellent, the spa is great and it is just the most relaxing hotel ever. Having looked at other hotels on the internet I can%26#39;t seem to find one that compares.

Krabi or where else?

In Khao Lak, an hour or so North of Phuket, there is the Sarojin (doesn%26#39;t have beach villas but is highly recommended as a honeymoon destination), the Le Meridien, about 15 minutes further up the beacxh (a large resort but with fabulous beach villas with their own pool on a fabulous beach - I%26#39;m prejudiced, went there last April, going again next March) and the new Aleenta (http://www.phuket.com/aleenta/) which is nearer to Phuket but is supposed to be very special (but quite isolated).

In Malaysia there is of course Pangor Laut.

At one side of Rayavadee you have the beautiful Phra Nang beach. But it is very crowded during daytime and a lot of noise from the longtail boats bringing daytrip visitors from Ao Nang and other places. East Rai Leh beach on the other side is narrow, with mangrove and not very clean. Not suitable for sunbathing or swimming.

Take a look at the ';hidden'; Pimalai Resort at Kan Tiang beach, the southern end of Koh Lanta. Fantastic scenery. Kan Tiang beach is very nice and quiet, perfect for relaxing with just a few other small hotels and beach restaurants.

Firstly, don%26#39;t worry about recovery from the Tsunami; that%26#39;s all sorted and finished. Secondly, if you%26#39;re looking for beautiful sandy beaches then maybe Rayavadee because the views are spectacular. Personally, I much prefer the beaches on the northern end of Koh Lanta and that would make Layana a good choice. Tubkaak Beach with the Tubkaak Hotel also has great views and if money is no object then have a look at some of the new villas at Phulay but do check that the hotel will have finished all it%26#39;s opening work first; the villas will be the best in Krabi once finished. Another option might be Rawi Warin on Koh Lanta which has some villas with private pools but doesn%26#39;t have the beach.

I haven%26#39;t seen the Sarojin but I hear that the Kate and her husband who run the show are doing a great job; all the reports seem good.

Bottom line.....best rooms are Phulay whilst best beach is Koh Lanta.......back to you......

Hi thanks for the info.

I love the look of Phulay but the reviews on here make it sound awful! Im presuming this resort has been closed for renovation, the website looks amazing...has anyone had any first hand experience of this resort since re-openiing?

Seems a shame about Rayavadee Resort but maybe a possibility to split 2 weeks between the two...

Also love the look of The Sarojin. If anyone else can shed any honeymoon experiences on the above that would be fantastic.

Cheers all

Phra Nang cave beach,one of the 3 beaches at Rayavadee,doesn%26#39;t get nearly as many visitors.

Hi Smuudge,

I%26#39;ve stayed at Rayavadee, the Sarojin and the Tubkaak. All fabulous hotels but the only one that meets your requirements (off the tourist trail, secluded, on the beach, private villa with own pool) is the Tubkaak. Rayavadee is out as the beaches are heaving with day trippers. The Sarojin hasn%26#39;t got any rooms on the beach, but the beach is lovely and very quiet. We had a suite as I wanted a sea view and they are absolutely breathtaking. Our daughter%26#39;s had the pool room below us, again, fantastic, but you won%26#39;t catch sight of the sea from these. Then there%26#39;s the Tubkaak, and I%26#39;m with Noodles here! We%26#39;ve stayed at some fabulous hotels but there%26#39;s just something about this place! Check out the Tubkaak suite - it%26#39;s a two story villa right on the beach with your own infinity pool, jacuzzi and even a sauna. We stayed there in August and we%26#39;ve just booked it again for March.

Go to Krabi!

EggChaser: I agree with you that Klong Dao and Phra Ae (Layana) at the northern part of koh Lanta are great beaches, also they have easy access and are very popular. But for honeymooners or others who ask for a private beach off the tourist trail, I think it could be a dissapointing experience in the season - even if it`s not actually crowded.

Pimalai at Kan Tiang in the south is a rather expensive resort, but the private, white beach, the surroundings and view are breathtaking and worth some extra Bhat. Koh Lanta is of course not the right destination for everyone, but I am a bit curious why you don`t think Kan Tiang is a good beach for those who visit the island for the mentioned purpose...?

Hey guys thanks for the in-depth info. I think I am going to go with Rayavadee and end on Pimalai to finish, I see Rayavadee as the %26#39;experience%26#39; and Pimalai as the chillout in luxrury but I will let you know!......You never know it may not happen, I think we are heading towards a divorce already! LOL

Ben

Please, don`t split up now, that is unfair! Then we all have wasted our time and will miss the expected review from you afterwards... LOL!