Amber Sands Beach Resort – Dan Khao

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Amber Sands Beach Resort – Full Review

Overview

Amber Sands sits on Dan Khao, the relaxed east-coast strip that faces the mainland and gets the morning light rather than the west-coast sunsets. The resort is deliberately small with just eight units set around a lawn, palm trees and a small pool that looks out over a curve of red-gold sand. There’s a family-run feel to the place: you’ll almost certainly meet the owners, and you won’t be anonymous.

It’s the sort of place people come back to. Reviews are full of “second stay”, “fourth visit” and “we’ll definitely return”, which tells you more than any brochure line. This is very much “small resort for people who know what they like”, not “first-time package holiday”.

Location – Quiet Dan Khao

Dan Khao is the first proper beach you hit driving down the east coast from the ferry pier. Compared to White Sand or Klong Prao, it’s a different world:

• Just a handful of small resorts – Amber Sands, Sunrise, Serenity and a couple of homestays.
• No 7-Eleven on the beach road, no tailor shops, no bar rows.
• One or two simple local places to eat nearby, plus the restaurants in the neighbouring resorts.

The upside: peace, space and the feeling you’re in a small village by the sea rather than a busy resort zone. The downside: if you want to go to a night market, west-coast bar or big supermarket, you’re looking at a 15 to 20 minute drive and either a rented scooter or an arranged taxi.

Atmosphere

The mood at Amber Sands is very “grown-up relaxed”:

• No thumping music, no groups of lads doing shots in the pool.
• Lots of books, Kindles and people happily staring at the water.
• A mix of couples, a few families with younger kids and plenty of repeat guests.

Owners and staff are very present and helpful without being intrusive. A lot of reviews mention feeling “at home” or “like visiting friends”, which is exactly what a good small resort should aim for.

Rooms – Just Eight, and All Done Properly

With only eight units, Amber Sands can keep the standard consistently high. Layouts usually include:

• Beachfront bungalows/suites – front row, closest to the sea, with the best views and easy access to the pool and restaurant.
• Garden bungalows – a few steps further back, still with sea glimpses and the same internal standard.
• Family options – combinations of two rooms under one roof or upper-level suites that work well for parents plus kids.

Inside, you can expect:

• Air-conditioning and fans
• Comfortable beds (guests often mention sleeping well)
• Private bathrooms with hot shower (a few reviews say they’d benefit from a light refresh, but functionally they’re fine)
• Fridge, tea/coffee facilities and decent storage
• Terraces/verandas with chairs and tables for sitting out

Strengths

• Cleanliness scores very highly with rooms and linens being well kept, not tired.
• Plenty of natural light and good ventilation; you don’t feel boxed in.
• Front-row units really deliver that “wake up and look at the sea” experience.

Weak Spots

• Bathrooms in some older units are more “perfectly fine” than “Instagram ready”.
• There’s no ultra-lux design, it’s tasteful and homely rather than designer-boutique.

Facilities

For such a small place, Amber Sands covers most bases:

• Swimming pool: A small but attractive pool right by the beach, with plenty of loungers and shade. Big enough to cool off properly and for kids to play, but not a “lap pool”.
• Restaurant & bar: Widely praised; serves Thai and Western dishes, with fresh seafood, good breakfasts and proper coffee. Portions are generous and prices reasonable for a resort restaurant.
• Kayaks & SUPs: Free use for guests and that’s ideal given the calm water here.
• Massage: Beachside massage can be arranged; nothing fancy, just straightforward Thai massage in a very pleasant spot.
• Transfers & scooters: The owners can arrange taxis, transfers and scooter rental, making it easier to explore when you feel like it.
• Wi-Fi: Available throughout; speed is perfectly adequate for normal use and a bit of remote work.

The Beach

Dan Khao isn’t a classic white-powder postcard beach and that’s worth being upfront about. The sand here is a characteristic red-gold colour and there are some stones and pebbles in the shallows, especially at low tide. But:

• The water is usually calm and shallow ,great for floating about.
• There are no crowds. You’re sharing with a handful of guests, not a hundred sunbeds.
• Sunrises can be spectacular, and the early-morning light over the water is lovely.

If you want waves, wide beaches and beach bars every few metres, you’ll need to head to Klong Prao, Kai Bae or Lonely Beach. If you’re happy with a quiet, swimmable shoreline where the loudest noise is the odd fishing boat, you’ll be very content here.

How It Compares to Other East-Coast Options

• Sunrise Beach Resort: Next door along the beach, with a more dramatic feature-length pool and a slightly more “design-y” vibe. Both are excellent; Sunrise leans a touch more contemporary, Amber Sands a touch more cosy.
• Serenity Resort: At the far end of Dan Khao, with more room types including villas, and a slightly bigger, more “resort-y” feel. Serenity suits people who like a bit more variety on site; Amber Sands feels more intimate.
• Journey’s End: Down in Chek Bae/Salakphet, far more rustic and remote. Lovely if you want a homestay and boat-trip vibe, but nowhere near as comfortable as Amber Sands.
• Parama: 4-star hideaway way down in Salakphet Bay. Parama wins on facilities (spa, lagoon pool, private island), but loses on practicality and ease of access.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genuinely small, friendly, owner-run resort with lots of repeat guests
• Quiet beachfront location, only a short drive from the ferry and west coast
• Comfortable, well-kept bungalows (not tired or neglected)
• Excellent food and a relaxed bar right on the beach
• Free kayaks and SUPs add value if you like being on the water

Cons

• East-coast beach: calm and pretty, but not turquoise-and-powder-sand brochure stuff
• No nightlife or shopping nearby, you’ll be taking taxis or scooters for that
• Limited room count means you need to book ahead in high season
• Not aimed at people who want kids’ clubs, gyms or lots of organised activities

Who Should Stay Here?

Perfect for:

• Couples and older travellers who value peace, sea and comfort
• Repeat visitors to Thailand who now prefer “good sleep and good food” to “cheap buckets and loud bars”
• Anyone who likes personal service and smaller places where the staff know your name

Not ideal for:

• People looking for nightlife or lots of bars/restaurants within strolling distance
• Families needing kids’ clubs, water slides and a long list of on-site activities
• Travellers who won’t be happy unless the sand is pure white and the sea looks like an Instagram filter

Value for Money

Amber Sands isn’t the cheapest place on the island, but for what you get: small scale, beachfront, proper pool, lovingly tended garden, very good food and consistently high service , it’s excellent value. You’d easily pay more for something similar on the busier west coast, often with more noise and less charm.

Final Thoughts

If you look at photos of Amber Sands and your first thought is “That looks like a place I could sit for a week and do very little”, you’ve understood it perfectly. It’s not about ticking off attractions; it’s about having a lovely, comfortable base on a quiet stretch of beach, being looked after by people who care, and occasionally wondering if you should be doing something more energetic than turning the page of your book.

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