The Sand Sea Resort is reached only by boat -- as is everything on the Railay isthmus -- but getting here, in part, sets the exclusive, worlds-away mood many travelers are looking for when coming to Thailand. First impressions are good -- the resort ticks all of the boxes for a seaside retreat. It has direct access to the beautiful beach, and the sunset views are stunning. In addition to the beach, the resort is surrounded by natural forest, and lucky guests may spy monkeys. The small lobby is mostly just a place for checking in and out, although there are a few seats where guests can pause. Interiors are mostly humble, and rooms are stylistically underwhelming, though some areas are more contemporary, like the spa. The resort is Muslim-owned, so no alcohol or pork is served. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol, however, and there are plenty of places nearby that sell it. The resort draws mostly couples, but families, groups of friends, and individuals also make their way here. It's worth noting, however, that complaints about customer service are fairly rampant here.

This hotel is situated on the western side of Railay, surrounded by other hotels and resorts. The scenery is stunning, with limestone karsts framing the beach -- in fact, most guests find the location to be this hotel's strongest feature. It is accessible only by boat, and it's about a 15-minute longtail boat ride from the mainland. The pier is close by, and there are restaurants and bars within walking distance. Phra Nang Beach is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and boats depart from the Railay pier to the islands in Phang Nga bay all day long. The Krabi Airport is about a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang, on the mainland. The hotel provides airport transfers for a fee. 

Accommodations include rooms in the main building, bungalows, and cottages. All are spacious, and while decor varies, many rooms look a bit tired. In less up-to-date rooms, expect to see tile floors, light wood or rattan furniture, and a mostly white color scheme with outdated tropical art hanging on the walls. The rooms in the main building are the freshest at the resort -- like the Grand Deluxe Room that we saw during our visit. Furniture in these units comes in dark hues with clean lines, and fabrics look modern and bright. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, safes, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Furnished balconies or terraces look out into the forest, the pool, or the beach. Some of the older rooms do have maintenance issues, especially in the bathrooms, so it's probably a good idea to inquire before booking a room. Some bathrooms have showers only, and others have separate tubs and showers. All come with hairdryers, toiletries, and robes and slippers. Not surprisingly, bathrooms in the more contemporary rooms are far nicer, with vessel sinks, pebble shower floors, and spacious vanities. Mosquitoes can be an issue in rooms, and certain units are closer to the eastern side of the isthmus than others.

Like most of its neighbors, this mid-range resort offers a fairly predictable set of features for the area. The casual Sunset Restaurant serves all meals, including a free breakfast buffet and a sunset seafood dinner. Guests can dine in an open-air space under a roof or out on the terrace by the wide sandy beach. The hotel does not serve alcohol, but guests can take their own to dinner. Unfortunately food quality isn't always great, and guests may be better off dining elsewhere. 

The lovely free-form outdoor pool is surrounded by palm trees and other tropical vegetation, as well as the cottages and cliffs. Cushioned lounge chairs invite poolside relaxing, as does a whirlpool area. A smaller second pool also is an inviting space for cooling off and relaxing. Sand mats are provided for the beach. The Sand Sea Spa offers traditional Thai massage treatments, as well as aromatherapy and reflexology. It's an attractive space, and is one of the more modern parts of the hotel. 

An on-site tour desk can assist with boat trips, rock climbing, and jungle excursions. Two events spaces can accommodate up to 69 people combined for seminars and conferences, and the hotel also hosts weddings. An on-site mini-mart sells snacks, beverages, and travel essentials. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.