This was our second visit to the Khao Lak Sunset Beach and previously stayed at the Paradise resort immediately next door to the Wanaburee. Wanaburee had not been built at that time and this was pre-tsunami.

First impressions were that the resort was very similar to the Paradise with the reception area at road level and the actual villa's down at beach level. The stairway and path to the beach level was interupted by the spa and restaurant on an intermediatte level. We would suggest that all the resorts at this end of the beach are not suitable for the elderly or infirm as it is quite a lot of stairs to get from the reception area to the beach level.

Our Villa was one of the 6 Beach Front units and was lovely with a large veranda area outside where we could sit with a drink and watch the sunset. Inside was very clean, comfortable and spacious. King-size bed, plenty storage, tea/coffee making facilities, mini-bar, robes and slippers, umberellas (yes it can certainly rain), TV with some Astro Channels and a couple of the Thai style cushion beds. The main bed is on a raised wooden platform and although a nice ethnic touch was quite a step up and down especially in the dark if a call of nature was required. The bathroom was nice with an outside rain shower, a huge inside bath (totally impractable as there was never enough hot water to fill it) and some very nice toiletries.

The gardens at the resort were very well kept and there are 2 swimming pools although while we were there we never saw anyone using the pool at the rear of the resort. All the action was at the beach front where a new poolside bar opened the day we arrived. Tables and chairs were arranged round the pool and it was nice to sit for a snack and drink watching what was happening on the beach. Not that much ever happened as it was very quiet while we were there. The beach itself is very clean with lovely soft sand and a gently sloping water. The resort is near to the south end of the beach but you can walk for miles the opposite way passing all the other resorts along the front. At the front of the beach at the Wanaburee there is a pavillion where you can get a massage at very reasonable prices (THB300 for one hour) and I can certainly recommend the oil massage.

Breakfast was included in our stay and it was very enjoyable. Lots of choices of both local and western food served buffet style. We ate dinner there on our first night and again it was lovely however the food in the village is equally as good and a good bit cheaper.

For a nice quiet location I would recommend the resort however if we decide to return to Khao Lak for a third time we would choose a resort a little bit closer to the main village. Wanaburee to the village is a downhill walk of about 20 minutes but the journey back is uphill and quite a climb. Taxis are cheap and plentifull however we would prefer not to have the walk if going back. The village is nice with lots of shops and the patrons do not hassle you as much as in Phuket. It is lovely to be able to look around the shops and stalls uninterupted.