Railay Princess Resort & Spa

Five minutes on foot from Phra Nang Cave Beach — widely considered one of Thailand’s finest — Railay Princess sits on the East Railay side of the peninsula where things run quieter than the West. Two pools, a fitness centre, and the Waree Spa give you reasons to stay in, but the real draw is that walk south to Phra Nang’s turquoise water and the shrine-filled cave at the cliff base. The 10-15 minute long-tail transfer from Ao Nang delivers you to the East Railay pier, practically at the resort’s doorstep.

Rooms carry Thai-style furnishings with satellite TV, seating areas, and private balconies looking over the pools or gardens. The all-day restaurant handles Thai and Western food — solid rather than exceptional, with the emphasis on convenience. The kids’ club makes this one of the few Railay properties that actively welcomes families, and the two pool setup means adults and children can spread out. Krabi Airport sits 20 miles away with shuttle service available.

Insider Tip: Walk to Phra Nang Cave Beach before 8 AM — the day-trip boats from Ao Nang and Koh Phi Phi don’t arrive until 10 AM, so you get the beach almost empty. Bring a snorkel; the reef off the southern end has decent coral.

Railay Princess scores 8.1/10 on Booking.com with couples rating it 9.1 for two-person trips. It’s the practical choice on Railay — two pools, a kids’ club, free mainland parking, and proximity to the best beach without the premium pricing of some West Railay competitors. The Thai-style rooms are comfortable but not luxury; expect teak accents and terrazzo rather than contemporary minimalism. The East Railay shoreline itself isn’t great for swimming (mangroves at low tide), but that’s the tradeoff for the quieter setting.