Sand Sea Resort: Pictures, Reviews and Rates

Sand Sea Resort is perfectly located bang in the middle of the spectacular west Railay beach. It's a well-maintained resort, with all its pretty, individual bungalows spread out over a vast tropical garden filled with flowers and exotic leaves.

Bungalows are spacious, spotlessly clean and, for the most part, tastefully decorated (although there are some amusingly kitsch aberrations). Each has its own terrace overlooking the garden and surrounded by enough greenery to make it private. Unlike the other neighouring resorts, Sand Sea does not offer public access to cross to the east side of Railay, so there are no passers-by and its rooms really are quiet and peaceful.

The restaurant, swimming pool and reception area border the beach and offer r 'n' r with soft drinks (though no alcohol is available at Sand Sea, you can bring it in - there's a minimart next door) and a decent Thai menu, with an emphasis on seafood. An early dinner is recommended to catch the great sunsets over the islands. Please note that Sand Sea is a Muslim-owned resort and as such does not serve pork or alcohol.

We can't really find any fault with Sand Sea, except perhaps that of many larger hotels: it's a little lacking in character. But the quality of the rooms and service you will receive are excellent value given the location - and the local staff are charming.

Rooms
There are 68 bungalows, spread out over a large tropical garden. The distance between the rooms and the amount of greenery means each is relatively private. All represent excellent value for money on the West beach, especially following the recent moves of Railay Bay and Railay Village Resorts (its neighbours) upmarket.

The Junior Suite Cottages are revamped (Nov 2007) deluxe bungalows, that have been turned into small suites designed for couples and equipped with king size beds, jacuzzi bathtub, telephone, satellite TV, digital safe, fridge and minibar, bathrobes and slippers, kettle with tea and coffee, hair dryer and a fruit basket and flowers on arrival. They are air-conditioned and their privileged location means the verandah overlooks the pool and sea.

All other accommodation comes with an outside terrace, hot water shower (no bathtub), television with satellite channels, telephone and fridge. Deluxe and superior bungalows are air conditioned and also offer a kettle with coffee and tea set and a hair dryer. The ageing fan bungalows are the oldest rooms in the resort and are in bad need of renovation, though they are worth considering as the cheapest rooms on Railay West Beach.

In terms of proximity to the beach, the Junior Suite Cottages are in the first row, followed by the deluxe bungalows, the superior bungalows, with the fan bungalows being furthest from the sand. Fan and deluxe rooms are available as twin or double - Junior Suites and superior rooms are available with double beds only.

There are only small cosmetic differences between the types of rooms in terms of size, layout and furnishings.

Interested? You can check rates and make a no obligation reservation enquiry now - click the link at the top of this page.