Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Soulful, ecofriendly, luxurious

6024, Tambon Nong Thale, Amphoe Mueang Krabi, Chang Wat Krabi 81000, Thailand

66-7562-8111

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At a Glance

Located on a prime stretch of Andaman coast with views to limestone karsts rising hundreds of feet from the sea, this Ritz-Carlton Reserve property is an indulgent, soulful hideaway with genuinely friendly staff and personal service.

Indagare Loves

  • The magical sunsets behind the dramatic limestone karsts as seen from the enormous infinity pool and Chomtawan, the beach bar
  • The oversized four-meter-wide beds (a king bed is two meters)
  • The genuinely friendly and knowledgeable butlers, who take care of all arrangements throughout a guest’s stay

Review

After a 1.5-hour flight from Bangkok and a 30-minute drive past tin-roofed villages, lush mountains and pineapple trees, the mighty teak doors to Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve appear without much fanfare. That a spectacular stretch of Andaman coast sits behind these doors is not immediately apparent, but Lek Bunnag, the Thai architect behind Phulay Bay, knows how to make an entrance.

Guests are led through towering aubergine walls, not to a check-in counter, but to a gorgeous pitched-roof Thai pavilion accessed by stepping stones across a pane of water. By night, the pavilion is lit by 2,000 candles. A gong sounds as guests are handed a cold towel and a glass of lemongrass ginger tea and introduced to their personal butler. There is no concierge here; the butlers, many of whom are locals, will tend to every need.

Guests will travel to their rooms by cart over wooden bridges and through lush plant life, possibly passing a slinking monitor lizard along the way. The best of the 54 pavilions and villas offer direct views to the limestone karsts rising from the sparkling Andaman Sea.

All pavilions and villas are plush and oversized with soaring ceilings and the largest beds we’ve seen at four meters in width (a king bed is two meters). The décor is clean, modern and light, the main source of color coming from the beautiful northern Thai Lanna-style paintings throughout the space. Each room features a unique set of paintings; the complete collection took the artist two years to complete. The sprawling bathrooms were inspired by a Moroccan hammam and are flush with water features. The Reserve Pool Villas feature an indoor bath, outdoor bath, shower and a private pool. The Royal Villas with a sea view are the ones to get, with nearly 5,000 square feet of outdoor space and a large pool with unbeatable views.

Those without a private pool will not be disappointed by the spectacular public infinity pool that overlooks the sea. As the property does not have its own beach, days will be spent sipping coconuts in the pool cabanas, where attendants are friendly and attentive. Guests craving beach time can take advantage of the daily complimentary transfers to nearby Hong Island. However, as the beach is public, there will be other tourists there and it can get crowded. Those looking for a more private experience are advised to book a private boat early in the morning to explore Hong Island or the other less-visited beaches.

The other facilities include a gorgeous ESPA spa, the first in Thailand, featuring soothing treatment rooms with picture windows overlooking lush gardens. There is a full gym and a wellness center set in the jungle that offers yoga, pilates and meditation classes. The outstanding Thai restaurant, Sri Trang, serves authentic classic Thai cuisine (there are also five other restaurants on property).

Who Should Stay

Families and couples looking for an exclusive hideaway with luxurious rooms, five-star service and a Thai sense of place will be happy here. Those who value walking out of their villa and onto the beach or a lively nightlife scene should look elsewhere.

Written by Allison DiLiegro

What's Nearby
Indagare employees walking up stiars

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