Following Fay's whistle-stop stay at Rayavadee, she departed the idyllic Railay Island for a 9-night stay at The Tubkaak on mainland Krabi.
New hotel, same questions. Cheers, Fay!
The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort
This secluded boutique resort is tucked between the Hang Nak mountain and one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches overlooking a spectacular 13-island archipelago in the Andaman Sea.
Reached by shared speedboat and private car transfers.
Fay and Sid stayed for 9 nights in a Superior Room.
How was your arrival transfer?
Much more familiar now and in daylight! The boat trip back to the pier was perfect. It was not private, but it did not matter. We had a perfect gentleman pick us up and drove around 30 minutes to the Tubkaak. Air-con great, no chit chat but pleasant journey watching the jungle.
How was your hotel reception experience?
Always a Thai smile but quite a few rules and regulations given to us on arrival: from no smoking in the hotel grounds to not consuming food or beverages in the hotel from outside. Standard stuff really but a little OTT and this made a first impression, especially as this was not mentioned at the other hotels.
What was your first impression of the hotel?
Jungle meets beach with a few stairs!
What type of room were you in?
Superior room with pool view.
Room score out of 10 and why?
8/10. It was a perfectly lovely room. Not up to Rayavadee standards, obviously, but perfect for our 9-night stay. I did want a sea view but did not book this in advance, but it really did not matter.
Bathroom score out of 10 and why?
8/10. The bathroom is split in half so outside is the sunken bath and the shower. I did like that the shower was partially outside, but the water ran into the main bathroom and into the hall so needed lots of towels down to help prevent slippage. That said the coconut body wash was divine!
Breakfast buffet score out of 10 and why?
10/10. The breakfast here was AMAZING. White coffees and a juice livener every morning brought to the table. The egg station was fab. From every egg possible, friend, poached, scrambled to avocado on toast, pancakes and waffles.
My favourite part though was the 'bread' room. The air-con was blasting, different breads for toasting, Danishes, jams, butter all made by the bakers at the sister hotel, Varana.
Did you need to fight for a sunbed?
There are no sunbeds as they are illegal, so we had bean bags which were so comfy that we tried to order some online to be delivered to home whilst we were away! You did not fight for them but for shade!
What was your favourite meal during your stay?
We had a few! But the first lunch was memorable - Papaya salad (one of my faves) with deep fried chicken pieces and sticky rice. And for our last meal, we actually ordered dessert. I had deep fried bananas with honey and coconut ice-cream and Sid had the tiramisu - out of this world.
Top tip?
Ask at reception if they do any trips to Ao Nang pier or Krabi town. They do but there is no info in the rooms. There is nothing really outside the hotel so I think these trips would have helped elevate our stay.
Would you return?
YES, but not for 9 nights as it is quite isolated.
Read Fay's honest review of Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort...