Racha Island Resort

I have traveled all over the world, staying at a wide range of hotels (including 2 star), but this was one of the worst and we had to leave early because of it. If i wasn't set on staying on Racha Island, we wouldn't have considered this hotel. I hope to save anyone else from having to go through what we did.

To begin with, it took forever for me to be able to confirm the speed boat transfer. After messaging them multiple times thorough hotels.com, i emailed through their website. They needed a specific reservation number (my name and dates weren't enough) that i had to get through hotels.com in order to finally confirm. They wanted us to get there at 9am for the 9;30 transfer but we didn't leave until close to 10:30. The boat was overpacked with hardly enough room for everyone to sit and the luggage was haphazardly placed in the back. Once we got there, it was another 3 hour wait to get into our room.

The rooms seemed dingy with old furniture and poor lighting. My husband wanted to make coffee and found flies and mosquitos in the hot water kettle. There was a musty odor and looking at the AC vents, it looked like it hadn't been dusted and may have mold from the room not being properly cleaned regularly. The bed was uncomfortable and hard as a rock. The internet did not work from our room as the router was likely too far away to reach.

The grounds outside of the room were just as bad. The pool looked dirty with algae making the water look green. The pads on the loungers (by the pool) had cracks in them. The loungers by the beach were on the upper level and not on the sand with signs stating not to move them and plastic rope tying them together. The outside restaurant tables were also falling apart while cracks in the tables and chairs.

The negative reviews were all true; outdated hotel (not brand new as they state on the website) with furniture falling apart (drawers that get stuck, blinds with broken strings that don't lower properly), to mosquito infestation due to the standing creek water behind the hotel buildings, and separate charges for everything (kayaks, snorkel, boat transfer - which the other 2 hotels do not charge) or upcharging (motorbike for $500bh a day - usually 200-350 anywhere else in Phuket, WITHOUT providing helmets and was a hazard to ride through the sand to get off the hotel property with really nothing to see on the island than the other beach that you were dropped off at, expensive meals and massages compared to Phuket without the same quality).

The island itself was also a sore disappointment. Other than the white sand and blue water, there is not much to Racha Island. Scarce restaurants other than what is provided by the hotels and mediocre food for a higher price than Phuket. You're better off taking a day trip from Phuket.... you spend a lot less money for better service and less wasted time.

We left after one night (booked a 4 night stay) as we couldn't bear to be there any longer, not just for our comfort but for our health. I have tried to contact them as did Hotels.com but they refused to refund the partial stay and i will have to contest it with my credit card at this point.

Great location. The villas are spacious and internal design lovely. We got the seaside room with 4 beds and a villa for 3days. Can rent motorbike 500thb a day, but actually is not needed as the three beaches are walking distance from here. Restorant is Thai and Chinese cuisine with varieties of dessert too. They have a seaview massage room with relaxing music. Breakfast chinese and some international choices. Fruits pineapple and watermelon. The reception speak thai, chinese and english.
The beach is great and the snorkeling must do!

Der Strand ist traumhaft, bei Flut wird allerdings viel Plastik angespült, das nicht weggeräumt wird. Sanitäre Anlagen beim Restaurant eklig, Restaurantpersonal war sehr nett und essen kann man dort auch sehr gut.
Die Anlage lebt von der Lage am schönsten Strand.

Although sold out with a wait list, they would not refund my emergent cancellation 8 days ahead. I went in person to cancel because they wouldn’t even answer Expedia’s attempts. I looked at their booking screen, and it was clear that they wanted to rent my room to someone else while charging me for the same room as well.
I surveyed the property. The quiet private beach is their main asset. It is a 15 minute walk from the busy part of the island. The rooms have a colonial style, which had some charm, but needs some updating.

Accommodatie is verouderd. Slechte service. Locatie is wel mooi maar niks te doen im omgeving.

Absolutely loved our 5 night stay here. The beach was pristine and the hotel swimming pool was stunning. The restaurant was lovely and had lots of variety, as was the breakfast served each morning. Special shout out to Jo (think I am spelling this wrong) who was a waiter in the restaurant he was so attentive and just made our trip so wonderful! Also a shoutout to Kitty, for his wonderful energy and kindness.

A few cats/kittens on the island that are very kindly looked after by the staff, which was really lovely to see!

Would highly recommend! See you again!

P.s. I understand this hotel is owned by a Thai business man, so great to know your money is going back to the country you are holidaying in!

From Hannah and John

Paradiset, fantastiskt vackert hotell med så fin strand, romantiskt och tyst och avkopplande ! Vi rekommenderar att ni äter pastan på menyn, vi åkte ofta till den andra stranden på förmiddagen ( vid centrum ) den hade klarare vatten, sedan på eftermiddagen var vid vid hotellet för deras strand var också jättefin ! Åk hit ! Tips hyr vespa och utforska vi såg vilda vattenbufflar och stora varaner

The King of Islands: In the Phuket Phangnha archipelago, furthest to the open ocean, is amazing, nice beaches, hotel and nature. A wonderful relaxing feeling all over the island like Thiland of 1990's. Great for couples and families. Stay for 2-3 nights or more. Massages were awesome the second one was the best, healing.

Nous avons passé un bon sejour. L'hôtel est immense et bien calme.
Le petit déjeuner est léger mais bon. Chambre très propre.
Personnel est tres sympathique

L'arrivée et le départ sont très bien organisés, le personnel agréable et le restaurant bon et à prix raisonnable. Mais il n'y a pas de rideaux aux fenêtres de la chambre donc réveil à 6h tous les matins. La clim est extrêmement bruyante. Et le corail de la plage a entièrement disparu, ne comptez pas faire de jolie baignade avec masque tuba.

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights, we had a Chino room overlooking the pool and the gardens, this was absolutely beautiful. The room was lovely if not a little old school but were kept exceptionally clean. We was on a bed and breakfast board and the breakfast was good. There was a few things that let the hotel down. Dinner and evening meals were bland and maybe a little below standard and the staff could smile a little more! We hired the ATVS for an hour but after 10 minutes I had a flat tyre and it wouldn't start. My husband went to get help from the staff and I walked back (which was quite pleasant) however it was a battle to get a refund, I finally managed to get a full refund and 50% back for my husbands, something you don't really want to be dealing with on a short trip.
The setting for this hotel is outstanding right on the most beautiful beach and despite the few small niggles I would recommend it.

Wonderful stay! Strongly recommend if you want to relax. Staff were amazing, so helpful and kind.

Wow. This hidden gem of a resort should be on your list of idilic Thailand island location to see. The pool side rooms are recommended with the pool often empty and not used after 8pm. They are large double bed rooms with well fitted bathrooms a 1 minute walk to the beach.

This hotel is a hidden gem!
Mrs Apple is a fantastic host - thanks for making us so welcome
Keep up the good work
The taxi service from the jetty is super efficient
The restaurant setting on the beach is superb
The food was outstanding

Thanks for making our stay so pleasant
Mike Sally Peter Michelle

Sengene var lige til den hårde side og hovedpuderne var meget hårde. Stort ser alle værelser havde en hengemt lugt….
Men dejligt stille og roligt. Swimmingpoolen, sand og hav var forrygende☀️

Where to start?
Perfect location, great bay, dream views.

But that’s about it.
The facilities need renovation, poor maintenance of gardens and surroundings.
Unprofessional management.
Abandoned equipment and furniture laying in corners, garbage bags. Plastic on the beach.

The resort goes for a desperate ‘everything extra’ policy.. want to paddle.. 500 half an hour, need a life vest.. 50 extra.. toilet 20.. (but sign only.. they did not actually charge for toilet use).

Big issue is that hotel guests and groups of day-trip visitors just does not go well together.
8 sunbeds w. topper in first row.. well.. blocked by visitors. Visitors called to gather by whistle.. very romantic . garbage bags left behind..garbage still around after 2 days.

We stayed 4 nights and loved it. The Chino room was both beautiful and restful. Loved the surroundings and the beach …. But, it was chaotic in knowing how to get to the island resort (hotel instructions are not clear) and then finding that the restaurant by the stunning beach only operated certain hours was a shock. But we made the most of it and would be back in a second if we could.

Racha Island Resort is the perfect get away if you want peace and tranquility, as opposed to The Racha Hotel, which is on the beach where all the tourist boats come in.
There were some day trippers who used the restaurant for lunch, but they were sat in a designated area so the Hotel guests had full use of the main restaurant beautiful sea front tables as well as the sun beds.
We had a ground floor Chino Room next to the pool. It was very spacious with a large fridge. The bathroom was again very spacious with oval bath, lovely walk in shower and a separate area for hanging clothes
Staff were fantastic - English was good. the Manager of the Restaurant was such a gentleman and extremely attentive and helpful. All the housekeepers were again very cheerful and did a fantastic job of cleaning the room on a daily basis.
Internet connection was ok if you were near to reception to use the free wifi - if you have roaming on your phone then there is not a problem

Very large grounds, 400 meters of white, clean, quiet beach. Children enjoy it very much. spacious rooms with bathtubs. Nice swimming pool. Typical Thai food, plenty of it. Nice hiking trails next to the hotel.

Just spent 4 days here it is a Beautiful island, however disappointing the amount of daily boat trips that arrive.
Flooding the beaches and the guides walk round blowing whistles to round there groups up!
When your a hotel guest and trying to relax pretty impossible.
Lack of sun beds only 12 sun beds with cushions, the rest are plastic and when I tried to lie on one in the sun was told it’s 100 baht! Not what u expect when are staying on the island.
It’s also 20 baht every time you need the toilet, not acceptable for hotel guests either.
The food in the restaurant is good food, not enough waiting staff tho, u have to constantly get up and ask for everything very slow service for drinks and orders to be taken.
Plastic in the corners of the beach, no one seems to care or even attempt to clear it away, it’s just hidden round the corner out of sight out of mind.

When leaving the island we booked the 3pm direct boat bk to the pier, conveniently this boat was broken. So u have to join the snorkelling trip and go via coral island.

This island could be so much better than it is!!!
The room we had was clean and big!
The decor is really odd! Feels like an old English mannor house, not very Thai! Really needs updating.
Doesn’t warrant a 4 star rating! I’d give it a 3!
Evenings the restaurant last orders are 7,30 and it closes at 8, no other option for a bar either.
There is a shop where u can buy the usual.

The pool was grotty, with stagnant pond water round the outside, so many mosquitoes recommend u take a can of bug spray for your room.