We stayed here three nights. We booked a Deluxe Bungalow. The island is quite wild so you would not expect a state-of-the-art bungalow. Ours was quite far from the lobby area, however there are no rooms or bungalows on the beach. The hotel is somehow on a small hill topping a very small beach which can be considered the "hotel beach" though it is open to everyone. The bungalows were clean, A/C (not in the bathroom). Curiously, closet is in the bathroom so your clothes get humid. The resort is quite old-fashioned. We found an (empty) condom bag in the bed table. We asked to be upgraded to the best room available, the Deluxe Pavilion (5850 B/night low season). This is a better room, same structure bathroom/bedroom but somehow more modern, flat TV (but you do not expect to watch TV here). Always two complimentary water bottles a day in the fridge. The service is of some concern: they may try their best but first of all it is very difficult to communicate either basic English words, like numbers or when, what, etc.. Difficult order at the restaurant, difficult to discuss anything more complex than requesting a transfer to the beach with the front desk. It took 30m to have them understand we wanted a room upgrade. They forgot to refill the toilet paper dispenser in the room and we managed to have them understand we needed toilet paper, at the end we had to mime what we needed. Restaurant is so so, better the restaurant on top of the small beach, you ask to see the fish and they cook it immediately ("immediately" according to Thai standards). The Spa is nice; however, I had a Thai massage and it was overall not satisfactory, too light and superficial. Foot massage great. Overall, a good stay with an adventurous taste. For western standards look out for The Racha.

We spent 5 days here and found Ban Raya Resort an ideal place for our snorkeling holiday. 4 snorkeling bays are within walking distance. Kon Kare Bay is right at the resort doorstep. Getting off to sea was a bit difficult as the beach is stony. But once in the sea you'll be amazed by the crystal clear water and the variety of fishes swimming around you. Ter Bay is 10 minutes walk from the resort. Here the sandy beach is quite large and beach beds are available at 100 Baht each. The bay is quite large and there are a lot of corals and fishes for you to explore. In addition to the many tropical fish species, we spotted a turtle, moray eels and squids. There is a floating jetty here serving the whole of Racha Island and many speed boats and dive boats come here for day trips. This could be a nuisance. Lah Bay is a further 200 meter away. Here the scenery is most beautiful. The bay is tucked inside, sandy, small and very quiet. Large trees provide a natural shade over the beach beds. Above the beach and overlooking the bay is a nice restaurant with toilet and shower facilities. Even though it was high summer, the restaurant enjoyed a nice cool sea breeze. And with the fantastic view of the secluded bay and azure blue water, it was paradise to lunch here. Patok Bay is 20 minutes walk from the resort and is on the west side of the island. Here the beach is very large and very very beautiful, with powdery soft white sand and a very gentle slope. Perfect for kids playing on the beach and in shallow water. The bay is a large U shape and water is clear and calm.
Ban Raya Resort is simply a large coconut plantation, with just a few bungalows situated here and there. The landscape rises from Kon Kare Bay gently to the top of a headland, in fact a cliff bordering the ocean. Beach beds are also provided here for people to enjoy the view of the ocean on the top of the cliff. The staff was nice. The rooms however were a bit rudimentary. The beds and the air-conditioning were ok, but the bath room was too small and lacked many things. On the whole, The Ban Raya Resort was a lovely place.

Def expensive wrt normal Thailand, but worth it in terms of exclusivity, privacy, tranquility, and kind-hearted service. The room rates are normal for CDN standards, I guess, high for Thai. The entire island seemed to have a premium on it. The lowest-priced food items cost 120 baht, even at inland restaurants; so Ban Raya’s rates aren’t out of line.

The bungalow we had (opted for 24-hour AC) was nice, though not as new and exquisite as the best place we stayed in the country, which cost less than half of this place.

This is the only place in Thailand where we got free breakfast though. The Asian food breakfasts are tasty, though other meals had at the resto are nothing to write home about. They are satisfactory, though service is pretty sharp. Better food can be found elsewhere on the island.

There is plenty to keep one occupied. We stayed two nights and did mountain biking, trekking, and snorkeling. EXCELLENT snorkeling in the bay on the property. The variety of fish we saw was unreal. It was after snorkeling that I fell and cut my leg a little badly on some rocks after being pushed down by a wave. We walked to the dive shop where the girl attendant there carefully and rather maternally cleaned me up. She asked that I visit her again the next day to have the wound re-dressed. :)

It is absolutely lovely that Ban Raya arranges to have you picked up from wherever you are in the Phuket area to be transported by speed boat to Raya Yai. We came on very rough seas and props need to be given to the fine driving demonstrated by our Thai Rastafarian captain! Our transfer back to the Phuket government bus station was also all arranged and covered by the hotel. You also get a fruit keychain upon check-out :) Thank you so much for everything. We will be back!

Comparing this place with the uber sterile and westernised Racha resort close by, Ban Raya is lovely! Not overpriced at all if booked with their website. We loved the food and the fact that you can explore the island on your own renting a bike or moped or walking. The seaside at Patok beach is beautiful! and nearby Kon Kare bay is superb for snorkelling. They are conscious with electricity and for people who stay in the cheaper bungalows the have aircon from 8pm till 8am only, although if you dont spend the whole day in the bedroom there are many things to do around the island! This is not a place for the unadventurous treaveller! The journey from Chalong Pier took 25 minutes.