The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani Collection

The location worked well for us: the main street is an easy walk away, with cafes, shops, and restaurants at much lower prices than the resort. We also found some good coffee there when we wanted something closer to an Aussie-style brew. We loved our honeymoon at The Sands. I’d seen comments about lots of children, but it wasn’t an issue for us. Families tended to gather at the kids’ pool and play areas, while adult-only spaces gave us quiet places to relax together. The resort has a good mix of spots for swimming, reading, having a drink, or sitting peacefully. The staff were welcoming, kind, and genuinely helpful. We also tried the Thai boxing and language class, and both were really fun additions to the trip. There’s a good range of food across the menus. The western dishes may not taste quite like home, which is fine, because the local Thai food was delicious and our clear favorite. We’d happily recommend The Sands for a honeymoon.

We had a lovely room overlooking the pond, and I thought it was great value. Our friends had direct pool access, which the kids loved, though I’m not sure the extra cost was worth it. The one real problem was a leak in our room that came back every night. Staff couldn’t fix it and didn’t offer to move us. The Sands Khao Lak is a fun family resort, with excellent pools and waterslides, plus swim-up cocktail bars with plenty of choices. The restaurants were mixed: room service, breakfast, and Manta Ray Bistro were all great, while Floating Market and Talay Restaurant felt expensive for what you get, especially with so many good places to eat just outside. I’d still recommend it to families.

The staff were really kind, and the rooms were great. It’s very kid-friendly, just as advertised. The beach is absolutely beautiful, though the hotel is a bit far from the center and you need a taxi. Please cut down on the plastic. Guests should be able to get drinking water without buying plastic bottles, and Manta Ray restaurant shouldn’t be handing out plastic straws. The hotel is only 10 minutes from the turtle conservation center, so there should be more awareness of these issues. We were also disappointed that the hotel recommends some very unethical excursions. We didn’t go bathing with elephants, but on a canoe trip through the caves, our guide threw food in plastic bags to attract monkeys, creating waste and disturbing wildlife. The hotel shouldn’t support businesses like that. One person at the activity desk understood our concerns and suggested an elephant place with much better practices. They should offer the good places and drop the others.

The Kids Club staff were the best I’ve experienced at a family resort. Jadyn, Michelle, and the other Filipino lady whose name I can’t remember were kind, responsible, and kept a close eye on the kids. They have paid and free activities, plus an indoor ball pit and slides that can keep children busy all day. That’s a big reason I want to come back. The outdoor playground, mini water park, slides, and lazy river are also great, and the pool boys do a hard job while staying kind to the kids. We stayed four days in February with my family, including my six-year-old. We chose The Sands after two stays at Katathani Phuket, which we loved, and wanted somewhere to keep our child occupied while we relaxed. The Sands met our hopes and even surpassed its parent hotel. It’s a huge resort, and the staff were exceptionally good overall. Our pond-facing room was spacious and nice, though the layout didn’t make the best use of the space. Remember to shut the windows in the evening and at night if you’re sitting outside, or bugs can get in. It’s the tropics, so they’re natural here. Housekeeping was terrible, though. I had to keep reminding them to clean, and after beach trips the room got sandy but still wasn’t properly cleaned. They didn’t replace the water or clear used pool towels, so we had a huge pile of towels by the end. We only ate at the hotel for breakfast, so I can’t comment on the other food. Breakfast was average with limited choice, but the restaurant staff were amazing. The beachfront itself wasn’t that great, and the current can be strong, so keep an eye on kids. The hotel is conveniently located: it’s a short walk through the staff car park to the main street, with lots of restaurants, massage places, supermarkets, currency exchange, and bike rental. A buggy can take you to the top of the street, but you still have to walk afterward, so the shortcut through the car park is better. The front desk women were wonderful. Check-in was easy, and they helped with my membership, though I had to follow up frequently. I don’t know why the membership process is so complicated. After staying at Kathani collection three times, it should have been extended without me chasing them. There’s a skinny man at reception with a major attitude problem. When I asked him about my membership, he spoke as if he were doing me a favor and wasn’t helpful. The hotel was great, with room for improvement, but the staff were the best, even better than Katathani Phuket. Maybe Katathani Phuket could learn from The Sands about good service. I’ll definitely return and highly recommend it for families with kids.