GREETINGS FROM KRABI
PAGE 6
I then descended to Railay East again to look for the Diamond Cave’s
nearby sister property. At the end of the walkway was a bar suitably
named “last bar” (or the-likes). Chicken were running in circles on
grounds that haven’t seen a clear clean-sweep in ages. Garbage was being
discarded by putting it on fire. The afternoon heat had me suffer profusely
with sweat burning in my eyes; the heavy smoke did not help much
locating the entrance to the Diamond Private Resort.
When I finally did find it, I thought I knew why this was called “private”.
You have to climb a steep stairway with 90 uneven steps. I didn’t think
that any of Bob Marley’s disciples would even try.
But once you managed to complete the climb, you are rewarded with a
view you would not want to miss (see picture right).
The Diamond Private Resort is only about a year old and has 28 rooms.
Coming to this corner of Railay, you don’t really expect butler service and
free Wi-Fi connections. And for sure, you don’t get it. But I immediately
found this a suitable hideaway for people who like the quiet during daytime,
not necessarily have to be close to a
swimmable beach and don’t mind partying at
night. |
Just beside the pool is a two-storey building
with 8 Poolview Rooms (pictures top right; 4
rooms lower ground have kingsize bed while
the upper rooms have 2 queen size beds).
Rooms have mini-bar, satellite TV and are
air-conditioned.
If you visit the upper floor, don’t rush and
keep your head down, for the airconditioning
units are hanging here painfully
nether! The
bathrooms
are a mustsee,
as the
c o l o r -
combi n a -
tions are
q u i t e
unique and
a welcome
and not unattractive change from the usual.
There are 10 Mountain View Bungalows and
10 Seaview Bungalows (pictures right) set on
the forested hill. Unfortunately, they are
carpeted and pose one or the other minor decorative challenge to the eye, otherwise they are spacious and quite comfortable. I can’t recall
having seen a restaurant (or more than 2 staff) but was assured that food and drinks were served. There is a swimming pool.
One the way back to Railay West I walked through the Railay Village Resort, or whatever is left of it. The resort was completely demolished
and is being rebuilt. As the Railay Bay Resort this resort, too, is shedding it’s low-class past and is to enter the Pool-/Spa-Villa style type of accommodation.
There was no building or mockup room. I shall keep you informed on the progress of this resort in a future report. Railay Village
plans to re-open in January 2007. |
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Courtesy: Diethelm Travel Asia
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