Excellence Luxury Villas · Railay
Luxury Villa Rentals in Railay
Villas on the Krabi coast, a longtail ride from Railay's limestone cliffs and white sand beaches
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A peninsula with no road, and a coastline of limestone towers
Railay has no road. Sheer limestone cliffs cut it off from the mainland, so you arrive the old way, by longtail boat from Ao Nang, with the engine clattering and the karst towers rising out of the Andaman Sea ahead of you. That detachment is half its appeal. The other half is the scenery: pale sand, warm water and some of the most celebrated rock climbing in Asia.
Our collection around Railay runs to 36 villas spread along the Krabi coast, from pool villas in the green hills behind Ao Nang and Nong Thale to Thai-style houses on the quiet shores of Nuea Khlong and Ko Siboya. The largest have 5 bedrooms, with room for family gatherings.
Here is how the coast fits together, and when to come.
Railay at a glance
- Villas
- 36 on the Krabi coast, with up to 5 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £1,900 to £5,300 a week, from around £1,500
- Best areas
- Ao Nang and Nong Thale near Railay; Nuea Khlong and Ko Siboya to the south
- Best time
- November to April, the dry season, with calm seas for island trips
- Getting there
- Krabi International Airport, then a longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay
Browse all 36 villas in Railayor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Dok Mai Thailand2 bedrooms
Villa Kiet Thailand2 bedrooms
Villa Chet Thailand2 bedrooms
Villa Bun Ma Thailand2 bedroomsWhere to stay in Railay
Ao Nang for the longtail boats to Railay and the islands, Nong Thale for quiet countryside close by, Nuea Khlong for the southern coast near the airport, and Ko Siboya for island life at its most unhurried.
Cliffs, caves and a short hop by boat
Railay is really several beaches in one small peninsula. Railay West has the long sweep of sand and the sunsets, Railay East faces mangroves, and Phra Nang beach, tucked beneath an overhanging cliff, has a cave shrine to a sea princess where fishermen leave carved wooden offerings for luck. Over the headland lies Tonsai, the climbers' cove.
Ao Nang, on the mainland, is where the longtails leave, and it makes a practical base: restaurants, a long beach and boats out to the Hong Islands and Phi Phi. Villas in the hills behind it, and around rural Nong Thale among the limestone outcrops, give you peace without losing that convenience.
The quiet south of Krabi
South of Krabi Town the coast slows down. Nuea Khlong is a district of rubber plantations, fishing villages and mangrove creeks, and handy for the airport. From the pier at Laem Kruat, a local longtail takes around fifteen minutes to cross to Ko Siboya.
Siboya is an island of rolling hills under rubber trees, with a Muslim fishing village and mangroves on its east coast and a long beach on the west. There are few cars and almost no tourist trade, which is precisely why people who find it tend to come back. It suits those who want a house, a hammock and an honest plate of Thai food rather than nightlife.
Climbing, kayaking and a stiff scramble
Railay's cliffs carry hundreds of bolted climbing routes, and local schools take complete beginners up their first wall as readily as they guide experienced climbers. If ropes are not for you, a kayak around the base of the cliffs at high tide shows the same scenery from sea level.
The steep, muddy scramble to the viewpoint and hidden lagoon above Railay East is best attempted early, in proper shoes, and is not for small children. Back on the mainland, the Tiger Cave Temple near Krabi Town rewards more than a thousand steps with a view across the whole province.
Search villas around Railay
Southern curries and the dry months
Krabi cooks in the southern Thai style, which means more heat and more turmeric than you may be used to: gaeng som, a sour orange curry of fish, massaman with its Muslim roots, and grilled seafood bought straight from the boats. The weekend night market in Krabi Town is the place to graze.
The dry season runs from around November to April, with flat seas and clear water for island trips. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings showers and rougher water, greener hills and much quieter beaches. Our concierge can arrange longtail charters, island tours, climbing guides, a cook for the villa and transfers from the airport.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Railay
Andaman Sea Villa Thailand1 bedrooms · sleeps 2From £4,148 a week
Baan Khating Thailand5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £4,089 a week
Baan Sharmar Thailand4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,089 a week
Lovers Retreat Thailand1 bedrooms · sleeps 2From £3,326 a week
Baan Sonja Thailand2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £3,136 a week
Villa Yod Rak Thailand1 bedrooms · sleeps 2From £3,131 a week
Baan Nai Faan Thailand4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £3,126 a week
Baan Wajda Thailand3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £3,127 a weekWhy book your Railay villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Our villas around Railay are spread from the hills behind Ao Nang to an island reached only by longtail, and we know which suit those who want to be close to the boats and which suit those who want to be left in peace. With 36 properties in Railay, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Longtail charters to Railay and the Hong Islands, climbing guides, a cook for the villa, Thai massage at home, car hire and transfers from Krabi airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay for a villa holiday near Railay?
Ao Nang and Nong Thale are closest, with longtail boats to Railay leaving from Ao Nang beach. Nuea Khlong and Ko Siboya, further south, are quieter and suit those who want a slower, more local Thailand.
How do I get to Railay?
Fly to Krabi International Airport, then drive to Ao Nang and take a longtail boat across to Railay, a short ride. There is no road onto the peninsula itself. Our concierge can arrange transfers and private boats.
Can beginners go rock climbing at Railay?
Yes. Railay is one of the best known climbing areas in Asia, and local schools run introductory courses for complete beginners as well as guided days for experienced climbers. Our concierge can book a guide.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Railay?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Railay cost?
Across our 36 villas in Railay, weekly rates typically range from £1,900 to £5,300, with the most affordable from around £1,500 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit Railay?
November to April is the dry season, with calm seas and the best conditions for beaches and island trips. May to October brings the monsoon, with more rain and rougher seas, but greener scenery and fewer visitors.
Are there villas in Railay for large groups?
Yes. Our Railay collection includes properties with up to 5 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Railay
36 villas on the Krabi coast, a longtail ride from Railay, with our concierge on hand