If I'm Dreaming, Don't Wake Me: The epic, refined beauty of the Railei Beach Club (courtesy, Railei Beach Club)

Comment On This Article

Add to My Favorites

Recently voted the second most beautiful beach in the world by London's Times newspaper, and more recently, the best beach in Asia by Asia Travel Magazine, this strip of pearly sand nestled between a beautiful reef and bookended by limestone towers known as Railei Beach is the place live out your beachcombing fantasies. As you'd expect, there are a number of bungalow operations here, but the Railei Beach Club is the best. The club is actually an association of home owners who rent out their houses when they aren't in residence. All houses share traditional Thai design elements, but each one has its own unique characteristics. All have open deck space, gardens, and beautiful views of the limestone cliffs and jungle. Crab-eating macaques, four-foot monitor lizards, dusky langars, and the endangered white-handed gibbon frequent the lush grounds. Keep in mind that Railei Beach is in a remote area and is thus off the Thai power grid, so the club runs on generators. The power is generally on from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with special requests for additional power possible for a surcharge—but try to give over to the liberating freedom of waking with the sun. A 20-person staff keeps the club operating, maintains the grounds, and does a daily light cleaning. There are three rooms available in the clubhouse and 19 houses, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, sleeping two to eight people. The cost varies from 2,800 to 8,000 bhat per night, depending on the home (clubhouse rooms are less expensive). Reservations are highly recommended.
Contact Info: +66.75.622.582; www.raileibeachclub.com