Sand Sea Resort Railay Beach

Mediocre. Some high points: three pools that never felt overly crowded (low season though), loungers as close to the beach as you can get (none of the “beachfront” resorts have chairs on the beach since it doubles as a pier and walkway), staff friendly. Welcome drink and cold towel provided at check-in. Breakfast typical fare, property does not serve pork so ham and bacon are unappetising chicken substitutes. Tables facing the beach were a pleasant space to spend part of the morning if you get there early to claim one.
Unfortunately outweighed by a series of small annoyances that hold this property back. As others have mentioned there is no wifi: at check-in you will be given instructions to access this mythical internet, but it does not work. Shower door did not close properly, and weak water pressure. Glaciers have formed and melted in less time than it takes to fill the bathtub. Air conditioning stopped working in the middle of my first night, was fixed on the second day but left on maximum…didn’t figure out until a few hours before check-out that the remote has to be held inches from the sensor to work, throughout my second night I tried turning it off from a few metres away to no avail.
Rooms are large but sparse. The standard two bottles a day of complimentary water, along with coffee but not tea which was odd. Beach towels, flip-flops, umbrellas, and a beach bag with mat are provided. Drying rack on the balcony was also handy. Property does not serve alcohol; while they allow you to purchase it elsewhere and consume by the pool or beach, this is inconvenient and poor service.
The resort stretches from Railay east to west, and is not well signed or well illuminated at night. Golf carts take guests to their room upon check-in, I also called and one was sent for check-out which is standard at properties of this size.
The resort is undergoing renovations, which I won’t hold against them since it shows ongoing investment in the property. Unfortunately little effort is taken to keep this out of view of guests: construction material left lying around, trash dumped in piles just off the side of paths. A poor image.
It wasn’t horrible, but there are so many exceptional properties in Krabi and southern Thailand that this is not a competitive option.

Wonderful location. A few steps from walking street. Rooms are little outdated and there is a clear lack of flexibility in the hotel processes. Forget about an early check-in or any other special requests even if you are willing to pay.

We were torn on booking this hotel based on the polarizing reviews. Pros: Location and views are incredible! Looks like a post card! Can walk steps to the beach, boats and walking street with ships, bars, etc. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Cons: Hotel rooms are not clean. Our toilet and shower were dirty upon arrival. Mold in the shower and sink, covered in paint. Air conditioner was sub par. Bed was very uncomfortable. Room was cleaned (bed made), dirty towels were removed but not replaced. Resort does not serve alcohol. You need to walk to the “walking street” to purchase beer/alcohol and make yourself. We didn’t know this prior to booking.