Bold claims are easily made. But when a restaurant announces itself as being 'The Quintessential Beach Dining Experience', it really must be absolutely sure that it's going to deliver on that promise day-after-day, month-upon-month, year-after-year or it's in trouble. Well at this fabulous restaurant, not only does it justify its own glowing description, but it does so with total ease. Sands really is what it claims to be – and some!

And that all becomes crystal clear when you learn that Sands is the idyllic beachside International cuisine restaurant of Banyan Tree Samui, one of the world's finest resorts, that has its very own private beach in the Laem Nan area of Lamai.

As you're approaching Lamai on the ring-road from Chaweng, take the turning on the left just after the landmark IT Complex. Follow this lane for a few hundred metres and you'll arrive at Banyan Tree Samui's entrance on your left. And it's from here that you'll be taken in an electric-buggy on a fun two-minute drive through the scenic tropical gardens (in what is, in effect, a huge country estate) and dropped off at the stunning Sands.

If you're there for lunch, your first view will be of the tall palm trees lining the pristine white sands, with turquoise-blue waters beyond – it almost feels like you've walked into a scene from 'The Beach'! Huge rock-boulders line the left of the private cove, with the resort's lobby and The Edge restaurant way over to the right on the hillside and Sands spread majestically along the beach. Tropical island scenes just don't get any better and this would make the perfect picture postcard.

And if you're there for dinner, you still get that immersive 'desert island' feeling but with the warm glow given off by the various discreet lights, lanterns and lamps that supply the subtle illumination.

Although the chic open-on-four sides restaurant building itself, with the openkitchen behind, can comfortably accommodate 20 diners in great style, most guests choose to enjoy the natural surroundings to their fullest and dine on the expansive open-air terrace which is shaded by the leaves of a magnificent old tree (that's festooned with small lights at night). There's more than enough room here for the seating for 30 so you won't feel cramped. And should you wish to sit at the beach bar for a cocktail or two before or after your meal, there are comfortable cabanas and loungers along the beach for a further 15 people over there too.

One of Sands' many novel features is that the menus presented by the ever-helpful staff are on iPads, meaning that you can scroll up and down and along to view the dishes in all their colourful glory (and zoom in to see the descriptions if you've left your glasses behind!).

The word 'delicious' doesn't really do justice to either of the following main courses, they really are that good. First we have the fabulous Prosciutto Ham – Wrapped Salmon and Pistachio-Crusted Tuna with buttered root vegetable, salmon roe and a creamy lemon sauce, and secondly, there's the succulent Veal Cutlets served with tomato-vegetable relish, caramelized lemon and a choice of green peppercorn, red wine, teriyaki, mushroom, BBQ, garlic butter or Thai spicy seafood sauce. Both are well worthy recommendations.

In addition to the daily specials there are weekly specials too: Mondays – 'Wagyu Beef Night'; Tuesdays – 'Lobster Carnival Set Menu'; Wednesdays – 'Barefoot Beach Barbecue'; Thursdays – 'Surf & Turf'; Fridays – 'Shellfish Carnival'; and every Saturday it's 'BBQ Night' complete with an exciting fire show (at 8:00 pm). Plus every Wednesday and Saturday there's a talented live band keeping everyone thoroughly entertained with their music.

And should you want to have an extra-special romantic meal for two (it's so romantic just about everywhere here anyway!) then book their 'Destination Dining' package which includes having an intimate table within a private canopy surrounded by flaming lanterns set up on the beach itself. Did someone say, "The Quintessential Beach Dining Experience?"

Sands restaurant comes highly recommended and reservations are essential.

The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:00 am and for dinner from 6:00 pm. The kitchen closes at 10:30 pm. For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7791 5333.