Sand Sea Resort

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You're paying for the address here, and the address is hard to beat: right on Railay West, sand at the door, limestone towers framing the sunset. Rates sit well below what that setting would suggest elsewhere in the country, which is the whole argument for booking it.

Rooms range from plain garden bungalows to the renovated deluxe cottages, spread around two pools. I'd spend the extra on a renovated room if the budget stretches, because the older garden units are basic and you'll notice the gap. The beachfront restaurant is the real draw at the end of the day, tables facing west while the sky does its thing. From the resort it's a flat ten-minute walk to Phra Nang Beach, the climbing walls and the trail up to the Princess Lagoon, so you can leave the taxi apps alone for a few days.

This suits couples and families who want the postcard without the five-star bill. If you need nightlife or a wide choice of restaurants, Ao Nang across the water makes more sense as a base.