Although less touristy than Phuket or Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, with its lush vegetation and beautiful beaches, attracts a lot of visitors every year. Its mountainous landscape makes it ideal for hiking but limits the number of areas with accommodation. Every part of the island is stunning, so choosing where to stay in Koh Phi Phi can be tricky. This guide will help you find the perfect place to stay and make the most of your trip.
Read on to discover the best places to stay in Koh Phi Phi, with a selection of quality hotels to suit any budget and everything you need to know about this small Thai island. You’ll also find information on the atmosphere in each area, the must-sees and must-dos, how to get around and our accommodation recommendations.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Koh Phi Phi, here are some key things you need to know about the area. This’ll give you a better idea of the island.
Map of different areas to stay in Koh Phi Phi
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Koh Phi Phi
Areas where to stay in Koh Phi Phi
Lets get into it with a review of the main areas to stay in Koh Phi Phi.
Staying in the town centre, the heart of the island
The heartland, between the beaches of Loh Dalum and Ton Sai, is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere. There’s plenty to do, between boat trips, scuba diving, restaurants, shops and bars.
You’re bound to pass through this area at some point during your stay. With sandy beaches to the north and the south, it is safe to say that the town centre is a must-see part of Kho Phi Phi.
Ferries disembark here several times a day from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta and other islands. The main way to get around the islands is by boat, which is an affordable means of transport. But in the ‘city centre’, you can walk or cycle everywhere. There are no cars except for a few delivery mopeds.
Everything here is within walking distance. You can wander through the mostly pedestrianised streets and enjoy the small cafés, traditional houses and many local restaurants and bars.
This area is the most ‘urban’, or village-like, in Koh Phi Phi. The other two mentioned in this guide are wilder and more remote. If you like hiking, you can walk up to several vantage points with breathtaking panoramas. The most beautiful one, signposted as ‘Viewpoint’, is a must-see, overlooking all of Koh Phi Phi Don from the mountains.
In terms of accommodation, there is a wide range of hotels with views, resorts with swimming pools and villas to suit any budget. They are all by the sea or within a 10-minute walk of the beach.
Accommodation in the centre of the island
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A good value hotel with a swimming pool, ideally located by the sea. This is a great place to stay if you’re on a tight budget.
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Located on the seafront, this large resort with a swimming pool offers spacious rooms with sea or cliff views. The restaurant serves traditional Thai food. There is also a bar and gym.
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An ideally located (less than 1km from the sea), quality hotel with a large swimming pool and bar, as well as bungalows made from traditional materials. The hotel also offers massages, which is a bonus!
Staying near the southern beaches
If you want to add a touch of paradise to your trip, we recommend staying near the Koh Phi Phi’s southern beaches, such as Leam Hin or Long Beach, some of the most beautiful sandy stretches in the world. This part of the island, further from the centre and tourists, is a haven of peace.
You can reach Long Beach by long-tail boat in around thirty minutes from the centre’s pier, ‘Ao Ton Sai Pier’.
The only way to get around is… on foot! The area is surrounded by lush greenery, and you’ll mainly find beach bars, restaurants with a typical décor and a few hotels along the seafront to suit all budgets. Prices here are similar to those in the centre.
These idyllic stretches are some of the major attractions in the southern part of the island. Made up of long white sand beaches and turquoise waters, this is the ideal place to unwind and relax. Surrounded by abundant vegetation, the area boasts a laid-back atmosphere. There’s not much to do other than kick back and enjoy the local food.
If you’re looking to relax on the beach, this is the perfect place to stay, at least for part of your trip.
Our accommodation recommendations near the southern beaches
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This hotel is ideally located on the seafront, with rooms overlooking the blue sea. A great place to stay in Koh Phi Phi, with its own restaurant.
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This resort is lost in the middle of nature, with its own private beach. It has a restaurant serving local Thai and international dishes and the rooms are built using natural materials.
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These bungalows offer beautiful views over a private beach, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. All in all, a little slice of paradise and an exceptional place to stay in Koh Phi Phi.
Staying in the north, the wild spot
Further north are some wilder spots, unspoilt beaches and a few resorts. If you want to enjoy peace and tranquillity, this is the place to stay in Koh Phi Phi.
A few hotels are scattered around the north of the island, overlooking the idyllic stretches of sand. The two main ones are Loh Ba Kao Bay and Laemtong Beach. These destinations are ideal for a relaxing break. People come to this quiet and peaceful spot to lie in the sun, enjoy the clear blue sea and partake in water sports such as scuba diving or kayaking. You can also rent a bike to explore the island.
If you walk through the vegetation, you can also access Nui Beach, which looks like a secret beach.
It’s worth noting that apart from relaxing and enjoying a few water sports activities, there’s not much to do in this remote part of Koh Phi Phi. The hotels are in the heart of the wilderness and with no facilities nearby, there’s nothing to fall back on in the event of bad weather. The centre is far away and not within easy reach for just a few hours.
From a practical viewpoint, you’ll need to take a water taxi to reach your destination. Some hotels also offer a shuttle service. You can then get around on foot as all the hotels are by the beach. Accommodation is a little more expensive here than on the rest of the island, but you can find some good deals if you book in advance.
Our accommodation picks in the northern part of the island
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The only place to stay in the area on a tight budget. There’s a bar and restaurant, water sports and excursions to nearby spots. You’ll struggle to find anything better for the price.
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This seafront resort boasts 3 swimming pools, a gym and a spa, with several places to eat, including grilled seafood. A shuttle service is available at an extra cost.
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An upmarket seafront resort with a swimming pool, water sports activities and excursions on offer. The villas have a lot of character, and you can also enjoy the gym, spa and massages.
Summary
Now you know where to stay on Koh Phi Phi, an idyllic island with white sand beaches, crystal-clear water and mountainous cliffs, surrounded by nature. As you will have gathered, the island isn’t very big and it’s not that easy to find accommodation.
If you’re looking for convenience and lively streets, we recommend staying in the centre, near the port of arrival. However, this vibrant tourist heartland, in the narrow strip of land between Loh Dalum and Ton Sai Beach, may not be what you’d expect given Koh Phi Phi’s remote location in the Andaman Sea.
Not far from the centre, in the south, or rather south-east of the island, by Long Beach, you can enjoy some peace and quiet and the sound of the waves lapping on the beach. This area is a good compromise. If you’re looking for nature and isolation, we recommend the north, where you can get away from it all.
The Koh Phi Phi islands, particularly Koh Phi Phi Ley and Maya Bay, some of Thailand’s most idyllic spots, are popular tourist destinations. To make the most of your visit, we recommend staying 1 or 2 nights, rather than a quick day trip from Phuket. Just remember that there aren’t many places to stay, and they tend to get booked up well in advance.
Where to stay in Koh Phi Phi? Our tips on finding accommodation on the island.