Places to stay in Tonsai & Railay Beaches, Thailand: Recommendations?

Thinking of heading out to Thailand for 2-3 weeks during the christmas-new years holidays (I know it will be busy, it's the only time I can go). Looking for suggestions on places to stay - I'll be by myself and looking for partners. This won't be a total dirt-bag budget kind of trip, but it also won't be daddy warbucks either. Thanks!

I went to Tonsai a few times in 2013 and stayed in a clean bungalow with a fan, cold shower and western toilet at Dream Valley for 700baht in high season and 400baht in low season. They have 2 swimming pools and the newer rooms with air conditioning cost 1000baht or more. Mountain View has same type of room with a fan etc at the same price without the swimming pool.

Prasook is real cheap at 400baht high season but it's got a lot of bugs.

We stayed in Tonsai for a few days around Xmas 2012. As it was our honeymoon, we stayed at the Tonsai Bay Resort, which is probably the nicest at Tonsai. Honestly though, I wasn't a huge fan of Tonsai, especially as it was an absolute overcrowded circus at that time. The rock is very polished, the culture is lacking, and everything is more expensive. I'd strongly recommend going to Chiang Mai and checking out Crazy Horse Buttress. The climbing is great, and the locals are doing an exceptional job of maintaining it as a sustainable destination. Plus CM is a much cooler city, with great food, culture, and cheaper/more abundant housing options (it is still touristy though). Have fun!

+1 on Crazy Horse Buttress! Nice climbing in both places, but Crazy Horse is way less humid, and less touristy that Tonsai.

Jae Zzzzzzz wrote:I went to Tonsai a few times in 2013 and stayed in a clean bungalow with a fan, cold shower and western toilet at Dream Valley for 700baht in high season and 400baht in low season. They have 2 swimming pools and the newer rooms with air conditioning cost 1000baht or more. Mountain View has same type of room with a fan etc at the same price without the swimming pool. Prasook is real cheap at 400baht high season but it's got a lot of bugs.

When I went in 2000, I camped on the beach for two weeks. Does anyone know if that's still ok? I was thinking about going back.

BackAtItAgain wrote: Wow - just checked this place ... cheapest option in November is 3,000 baht... guess the times have changed

I was just there a few months ago and found places to stay for 1000 baht no problem especially if your traveling solo and staying for more than five days. I stayed in a bunch of different places there all pretty similar if your looking for simple accommodation. I wouldn't recommend booking anything in advance the area is very small and you can loop all the avail bungalows in a short amount of time to find reasonable pricing. I believe the cheapest bungalow are along a trail that follows to Raleigh, the other side of the peninsula. Its called the jungle path and has a sign that says "jungle path." Also they have tents you can rent which are very cheap, and I did see people camping on the beach.. so if you have your own tent seems to be permissible.

In terms of online booking, you would have no problem without a reservation during the off season. But when I went at Xmas, nearly everyone I talked to had pre-booked and I met one couple that were struggling to find somewhere to stay after showing up without a reservation. I know our spot was fully booked, as he gave us the last key on the wall. I didn't see anyone camp on Tonsai beach proper, but can't say if it's allowed or not. I think if you're going for some degree of luxury (e.g. AC), you might consider pre-booking. Others may disagree. I still vote for Crazy Horse!