In the life of many a Peace Corps Volunteer, there comes that moment when parents come to visit, and they finally treat you to many of the luxuries you have not been able to afford on your living stipend in your country of service. Such it was for us at the Sand Sea Resort on Railay Beach West in Krabi, which we visited last August, courtesy of my mother.
Railay is only accessible by boat; for us, a longtail boat chartered by the resort. We were whisked away across the water, past brilliant green karst bluffs and into a light rainstorm. Adventure! Upon our arrival at Railay, we followed a cart full of our bags over a short path and into the Sand Sea gardens.
Bungalows line either side of a well-tended path meandering towards the pool, and a moment later, the beach. Although our bed was a bit hard, the sparkling clean shower and comfortable wooden porch chairs more than made up for it. Each morning we enjoyed a buffet breakfast overlooking the water.
For meals other than breakfast, however, I recommend eating elsewhere. Railay Bay Resort next door has better food and better service. Due to Muslim ownership, neither resort serves alcohol, but there are plenty of small beachside bars to fill the gap.
Days can be spent swimming, snorkeling (many guided trips are offered from shops around the resort, including the fantastic "sunset snorkel" ), rock climbing, wandering over to Phra Nang Beach, or just sitting by the pool. In the evenings, you might run into an impromptu game of beach volleyball at sunset, or perhaps walk the five minutes over to Railay Beach East for bar movies and a livelier crowd. There’s no rush to life at Railay – it’s all about enjoying the laid-back, mellow atmosphere. Pure vacation.
Sand Sea Resort has onsite laundry and a mini-mart, as well as relatively affordably internet access.
Railay is only accessible by boat; for us, a longtail boat chartered by the resort. We were whisked away across the water, past brilliant green karst bluffs and into a light rainstorm. Adventure! Upon our arrival at Railay, we followed a cart full of our bags over a short path and into the Sand Sea gardens.
Bungalows line either side of a well-tended path meandering towards the pool, and a moment later, the beach. Although our bed was a bit hard, the sparkling clean shower and comfortable wooden porch chairs more than made up for it. Each morning we enjoyed a buffet breakfast overlooking the water.
For meals other than breakfast, however, I recommend eating elsewhere. Railay Bay Resort next door has better food and better service. Due to Muslim ownership, neither resort serves alcohol, but there are plenty of small beachside bars to fill the gap.
Days can be spent swimming, snorkeling (many guided trips are offered from shops around the resort, including the fantastic "sunset snorkel" ), rock climbing, wandering over to Phra Nang Beach, or just sitting by the pool. In the evenings, you might run into an impromptu game of beach volleyball at sunset, or perhaps walk the five minutes over to Railay Beach East for bar movies and a livelier crowd. There’s no rush to life at Railay – it’s all about enjoying the laid-back, mellow atmosphere. Pure vacation.
Sand Sea Resort has onsite laundry and a mini-mart, as well as relatively affordably internet access.
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