Sand Sea Resort & Spa

Sand Sea Resort is an intimate, family-run hotel, set along a sleepy white-sand beach on the outskirts of downtown Lamai. The mid-range property has  limited facilities, though it's still a fairly popular choice with families, couples, and solo travelers, mainly due to the hotel's scenic beachfront location and laid-back vibe. The property is lined with tropical greenery and tall trees, plus it features spacious semi open-air common areas. Centered in the hotel and often a hub of activity throughout the day is the large freeform swimming pool and poolside bar. Adjacent to the pool is the restaurant, which features hardwood interiors, unobstructed ocean views, and indoor and alfresco dining sections. Guests booking a stay here should be aware that the hotel is fairly aged, and many of the facilities and rooms are in need maintenance and facelifts.

Sand Sea Resort is located right on the beach in a fairly quiet section of downtown Lamai. Popular eateries, bars, and shops are a 15-minute walk away. Chaweng, the island's main tourism and party hub, is located about a 30-minute drive from the hotel. The area is lined with nightclubs, beach clubs, cabaret shows, and local bars. It's also home to a great selection of dining and shopping options such as Central Festival Samui shopping mall with a cinema and a supermarket that stocks local and international brands. Guests heading to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Surat Thani (mainland) can catch a Lomprayah catamaran speedboat from the Maenam Pier (a 35-minute drive away). Samui International Airport is located around a 40-minute drive from the hotel. 

Sand Sea Resort & Spa has 49 rooms in a variety of options including simple wooden bungalows, poolside suites, and one-bedroom pool villas. Bungalows have a rustic and tropical aesthetic but are fairly cramped, whereas the poolside suites and pool villas have a more contemporary look and much larger floor plans. Villas offer private plunge pools and ocean views, plus direct beach access. Some of the wooden bungalows are set beachfront. Most rooms include terrace or balcony seating areas and have large opening glass doors that let in natural light and airflow. Interiors feature hardwood or tile floors, sparsely decorated white walls, and minimalist wooden furniture. Rooms are outfitted with four-poster beds, dressing tables and chairs, balcony seating, and small wardrobes. Standard room amenities include air-conditioning, TVs, mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and two bottles of water. Safes are provided in higher room types only.Bathrooms have a rustic look with stone tiles. Most feature hot showers and deep soaking tubs. Soap and shampoo are provided. Many of the bathrooms we saw during our tour of the hotel were dingy and musty smelling. We also noticed that the rooms also showed significant wear such as peeling paint, mildew issues, tube-style TVs, and old AC units.

Sand Sea Resort & Spa is a small hotel that has few facilities. The main draw is the scenic beach that the hotel overlooks. The beach is fairly wide and scenic, with soft sand and blue waters, but the area doesn't include any lounge chairs. The swimming pool has a large main lap section, plus a shallow kids' pool, and  plenty of lounge chairs laid out. There is also a poolside bar. The restaurant serves three meals a day, with a simple menu of Thai classics and some rudimentary Western dishes. Breakfast is served a la carte with American and continental options, though the meal isn't included in most room rates. Tours, adventure excursions, and vehicle rentals can be arranged through reception. Wi-Fi is and on-site parking are free.