Ban Raya Hotels

Mikil stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-06-02 and said, "One of the two hotels on the Racha island that is located amidst the nature at the cliff overlooking Khon Kare Bay known for scuba and water diving. Beautiful place, friendly staff and service that made our stay pleasurable and memorable. I think it was not wise spending money on deluxe room so we stayed in a superior room that had air-conditioning and fan from 6pm to 8am, which worked well for us as we were out whole day visiting other beaches on the island. The rooms were spacious, nice and clean. The hotel staff were very helpful, always at your service and willing to go an extra mile. I guess that s what Thai people are known for.Due to off peak season, only main restaurant was in operation. They served most authentic Thai food and very very delicious too that I had had at various Patong and Karon restaurants. Considering the quality of Thai food, its pricing was much better compared to the other restaurants on Phuket island. My kid had great fun at the pool which was very clean. It is at the cliff overlooking the sea. He also enjoyed playing with the butterflies and baby crabs in the sea shell.One day we went to The Racha hotel beach hoping to spend few hours at the beach, dine at the Racha hotel restaurant and return to Ban Raya. But upon reaching there were told by its staff that it is a private beach and were given an unwelcome feeling. We requested paying for the beach benches that were not occupied due to off peak season. But the staff did not come back who had gone to sought permission from The Racha hotel manager. I do not blame the staff, but rather its management for presenting an unwelcome feeling. Waiting tirelessly, I paid few beers and made use of its bar overlooking the beach for my parents. This small (yes..very small) incident made me change my plan and returned to friendly Ban Raya and enjoyed its pool and dinner again. Unlike Ban Raya, that also welcomes the guest visitors and allow use of its beach bench for a small fee. It has helped remove my urge of not staying at The Racha and ensured my decision staying at Ban Raya when I visit the island again. The Racha beach is smaller than the Siam beach."

Henrik stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-04-23 and said, "wonderful place, with great service and A1 location! We spend 2 days with de luxe cabin, nice and clean, a small refrigiator was deeply missed, rest was top and we will go back."

Mina stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-03-15 and said, "When we arrived at Ban Raya we were very pleasantly surprised. In fact, the pictures we had seen of the resort ahead of time do not do it justice. We were expecting clean but simple and were very happy that Ban Raya is much more than this. Beautiful ocean views through the coconut trees in the big garden stretching down to the little beach. The pool is lovely, especially in the evening. Our deluxe AC room was nice. Big bed, spacious bathroom, everything worked, clean, simple. The service was good overall (with the exception of one young waiter) and we were greeted very pleasantly and professionally when we arrived by longtail (the boat ride can be wet - we were soaked through on the way back). The food is fine. Never great, never bad. We had one dinner at The Racha s sunset restaurant on the beach - very much worth it for the view and atmosphere, but the food was very average, especially at that price. Koh Racha is amazingly beautiful - fabulous beaches with lovely white sand, the clearest water and nice little places for lunch etc. It was a little busy midday when all the day trippers were on the beach, but from around 3 or 4 in the afternoon we were practically alone. Overall we had a really wonderful holiday. We would gladly recommend Koh Racha and Ban Raya and we hope to return ourselves some day."

Lars stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-03-06 and said, "A very nice located resort with a lovely view toward the sunset and a nice garden. The rooms where nice and clean. The wildlife exeptional with monitor lizard (we say a infant at the resort) giant bats, birds and alot och colourful fishes and clear water. The service was extremelly good and we will most likely come back to this magnificent island. Thanks a lot för all good service and nice people. Lars & Petra"

Andrew stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-01-28 and said, "The location of the resort is fantastic. Staying at a resort requires the help of the staff and at Ban Raya they are really top class. Visitors should be aware that transport between Racha Yai and Phuket is still limited and it may be better to return to Phuket the day before catching connecting or homebound flights."

Ian stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-01-26 and said, "Loved the island setting of the resort. Great snorkelling. Staff, mostly young Burmese, very pleasant and helpful. WIFI upgrade needed. Variety of beachfront and jungle eateries to explore"

John stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-01-18 and said, "Bungalows were clean and comfortable, electricity on only from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., a minor inconvenience. Staff very friendly and helpful. Snorkeling was great at the resort s beach. Day boats anchor in the middle of the day, but mornings & afternoons we had the bay to ourselves. Restaurant food was good, but we had to request spicy, or it was pretty bland.We would definitely stay here again."

Lars stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-01-14 and said, "A very pleasant stay at BanRaya with nice and perfect staff. Nice and clean bungalows close to an outstanding beach with incredible amounts of fish. As close as you get to a paradise!!"

Caryn stayed at Ban Raya on 2008-01-08 and said, "We absolutely loved Ban Raya. We found the staff to be so helpful and friendly. We have a 1 year old child and the staff were always playing with him and helping us as much as they could. Ban Raya resort is perched on a hill with sprawling grounds so there is a lot of space and shade. You can easily relax there.There is a small beach at ban raya where quite a few boats gather to snorkel and dive.We booked a superior and a deluxe bungalow. The superior was spacious and clean although the bathrooms are looking a bit tired, Could be improved, The deluxe had a nice bathroom and electriciry 24hrs. It gets hot during the day so if you can afford deluxe go for it.Food was good at the restuarant and easy to walk around the island and snorkel at other bays. Will definitely be back."

Gösta stayed at Ban Raya on 2007-02-13 and said, "Nice Bungalows in beautiful surroundings. Great pool. The easiest accessible snorkelling we have seen.Restaurant was ok except for the annoying birds coming into the place leaving droppings and grabbing food from your plate. But in all, well worth visiting. Transportation to and from island very good."

Tammy stayed at Ban Raya on 2007-01-27 and said, "What a great location. We were originally only going to stay in Phuket - but what a relief we took this side trip. Very quiet location and very attentive staff, great if you want to escape the noise of Phuket. The main beach is great for snorkelling and swimming though is a hot walk from the hotel (10mins). Overall Fantastic."

Jeannine stayed at Ban Raya on 2006-04-11 and said, "APRIL:Ban Raya is a very nice resort, not too big and not too small. the weather was perfect!!!!We had a FAN-ROOM, which was perfect. As we didn t stay in the room during day time. They turn on the electricity at 6pm which is about the time when you leave the beach and which is as well the time when it starts getting dark,... just the right time! The fan we had was absolutely sufficent. It never was too hot! The FOOD at the restaurant is excelent. I especially liked the Chicken with yellow curry (120 THB)Also they make the best fruitshakes on the island for 60Baht.The staff is very friendly as well. The resort has no sandy beach, but as the island is not very big, SIAM BAY, a long sandy beache is not far away(maybe 7min walk).for all those who need sandy beaches... For all those who love SNORKELING, the resort-beach is just perfect, there are hundrets of colourful fishes, and lots of things to see under water! Make sure you take enough CASH with you, as you cannot change there or only at the reception and that is mostly not a good exchange rate! the take VISA card and Mastercard at the restaurant but add 3 % to the bill... at the beachbar they only take cash!!Getting to KOH RAYA is very easy... coming from Phuket, they offer a pick up service in the morning and then a boat transfer to the island at 9am, the return boat leavs at around 3pm..The people from Sawadee organised everything for us, and it was only 1000THB per person for the transfer from the hotel to the pier to the island back to the pier and back to the hotel in phuket(as long as the hotel is at kata or karon or in phuket town is think.)"

Ian stayed at Ban Raya on 2006-04-10 and said, "beautiful place but rooms are less than basic. definately need upgrading. great for divers and snorkelers.if you dont like insects in your room this isn t the place for you."

Michael stayed at Ban Raya on 2004-12-09 and said, "Bset resort so far that my fmily and I have come across. Location has open spaces, good coral at door step, reasonable rates for room and food. Transprt to the island is by boat but only at 9:00am. Booking form the hotel cost 1,000 bath but travel agents can arrange at 800 bath. Mainly eropean crowd and hotel european management caters to the eurppeans. Local/asian can get a lot of help from the local staff. Owner, Jee is very friendly and proud of her familys efforts to mare their home yours. Electricity supply is limited from 6:00pm to 8:00 am."

Astrid stayed at Ban Raya on 2004-11-23 and said, "Perfect place for relaxed holidays. On the other side of the island, but since they built up an big hotelcomplex at the mainbeach the best place to stay at Ko Raya. Everthing on the island is in walking distance (10min) anyway."

Su stayed at Ban Raya on 2004-11-11 and said, "Food was ok...but it was 1 km away from the main beach, kind of far and got to walk...suggest a shuttle for the guests as it can be unbearably hot in the afternoon. Power supply for room only available from 6p.m. to 8.30a.m, so the rest is sauna time in the room:-). Room is quite clean though."

Judith stayed at Ban Raya on 2004-03-11 and said, "The hotel was great - the journey out on the speed boat to the island, the choice of beaches all easily accessable by foot (white sand, clear waters, amazing coral to swim over), food at the restaurant was the best (and most reasonably priced) that we ate in our 3 week trip to Thailand (we also did Karon Beach and Bangkok). The room was comfortable and the en suite shower great to cool off in - it was very clean and we had flower petals on our bed every day too. I would recommend this resort for couples of all ages - the snorkeling, the sunbathing, the massage, the great food, the quiet relaxation and privacy. If you are looking for bars and discos this is not for you."

Philippe stayed at Ban Raya on 2003-12-27 and said, "I had wonderful time here. The people are very nice and cool.Dont expect a quick service, but who care, we are in vacation !Note that it is not on the beach pictured on the site. THe resort can provide transportation ( or you can walk 10-15 min) to 2 wonderful beaches. There is great snorkling close to the hotel."