Koh Phi Phi hotels
Jul 16th, 2012, 08:01 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Koh Phi Phi hotels
I will be traveling to Koh Phi Phi for a few days on my honeymoon this August and we'd like to stay somewhere away from all of the noise near Tonsai, but I'm concerned that it will make day trips to Phi Phi Lei or Railay Beach, etc more difficult. Do the hotels on the northern end of the island have their own day trips - and if they do, are they ridiculously overpriced? Does this make it more worth it to stay near Tonsai, in which case, where do you recommend that won't be too loud and noisy? Thanks!
Jul 16th, 2012, 10:30 PM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're not going to find quiet anything in Tonsai or Loh Dalum. Just backpackers, gaggles of budget tourists and lots of partying. If you're into that sort of thing. Don't let that dissuade you from your notion of Phi Phi--it still is THE most beautiful island in Thailand, full stop. No reason not to look on the East Side of the island (not sure about the north side you're referring to, so I assume you meant East.) The Holiday Inn on Laem Tong (Long Beach) is beautiful and fairly inexpensive for what you get. If it's your honeymoon and you're willing to splurge a bit then definitely look at Phi Phi Island Village. It is a honeymooner's paradise.
All this begets a mention that if you're planning to go in late August you'll be there during monsoon season and while you're probably find a sunny day or two, you're looking at potentially a hell of a rough ride over to the island. Although I suppose if you're willing to gamble a bit on the weather you'll find INCREDIBLE deals at the more expensive places (PPIV and Zeavola, for instance.) Early August, however, is great...as you can really take advantage of low season prices...but be prepared for it to be hottttt as hell.
As far as day trips go, you can go with a resort's tours (which, yes, will be overpriced) but when we stayed at PPIV it was easy (as it is at the beach the Holiday Inn is on) to find local long tail boats to bring you wherever you need to go in town at regular rates (although, again, I'd argue that the center of the island is the worst possible example of overdevelopment and tourism gone wrong you'll ever see.) Stick to the East side if you still want to go. It's a magnificent and stunningly gorgeous place to spend your honeymoon (we did too) and doesn't really deserve the bad rep that the main/center part of the island gives it.
All this begets a mention that if you're planning to go in late August you'll be there during monsoon season and while you're probably find a sunny day or two, you're looking at potentially a hell of a rough ride over to the island. Although I suppose if you're willing to gamble a bit on the weather you'll find INCREDIBLE deals at the more expensive places (PPIV and Zeavola, for instance.) Early August, however, is great...as you can really take advantage of low season prices...but be prepared for it to be hottttt as hell.
As far as day trips go, you can go with a resort's tours (which, yes, will be overpriced) but when we stayed at PPIV it was easy (as it is at the beach the Holiday Inn is on) to find local long tail boats to bring you wherever you need to go in town at regular rates (although, again, I'd argue that the center of the island is the worst possible example of overdevelopment and tourism gone wrong you'll ever see.) Stick to the East side if you still want to go. It's a magnificent and stunningly gorgeous place to spend your honeymoon (we did too) and doesn't really deserve the bad rep that the main/center part of the island gives it.
Jul 17th, 2012, 04:45 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I disagree. I stayed at Mama Beach Resort which is about a 15 minute walk from the centre and it was great. Right on the beach and very quiet at night. I highly recommend it. It was easy to do day trips from there.
Jul 17th, 2012, 09:12 AM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jul 17th, 2012, 02:58 PM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm also not sure where to stay in Koh phi phi.
I looked at Zeavola, PPVR and Holiday inn.. on the north of the island..
but is it better to stay closer to the center?
i mean what happens in the center? is there a place to walk with little restaurants etc??
how do you get there from the north?
I looked at Zeavola, PPVR and Holiday inn.. on the north of the island..
but is it better to stay closer to the center?
i mean what happens in the center? is there a place to walk with little restaurants etc??
how do you get there from the north?
Jul 17th, 2012, 07:08 PM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's plenty of places to walk to in the center of the island. That was sort of my issue. If you want to be surrounded by throngs of people, loud reggae bars and handfuls of touts hocking this party and that tour then by all means stay in the center of the island--there's TONS going on. If you prefer to unplug and have a bit of peace and quiet with little to no people on your beach then try the east side of the island (all the hotels you looked at.) As mentioned above it's easy enough to get anywhere you want to go on this island via a long tail boat for very little cost, so location really isn't all that important. It's more about the vibe you are seeking for you vacation. There are restaurants on every part of the island--but arguably more choices in the center (although I'd caveat that with I'm not sure they're all *good* choices.)
Jul 17th, 2012, 09:14 PM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will second pretty much everything Will has said.
The main village has little appeal for me. We sometimes make a half day trip to Tonsai/Loh Dallum, but always after an hour or two we are keen to leave.
From long beach northwards on the east coast, is where you will find the real magic of Phi Phi. From basic backpacker hideaways to the nearest you will find to five star on the island.
We have stayed at all three of the resorts you mention. My list of preference would be Holiday Inn, Island Village then Zeavola.
Though I concede that many will put Island Village above H.I.
The second photo that Will posted is taken at Laem Tong in front of H.I.
A beachfront bungalow there, will be just a few paces from what you see in that photo. For us........pure paradise !
The main village has little appeal for me. We sometimes make a half day trip to Tonsai/Loh Dallum, but always after an hour or two we are keen to leave.
From long beach northwards on the east coast, is where you will find the real magic of Phi Phi. From basic backpacker hideaways to the nearest you will find to five star on the island.
We have stayed at all three of the resorts you mention. My list of preference would be Holiday Inn, Island Village then Zeavola.
Though I concede that many will put Island Village above H.I.
The second photo that Will posted is taken at Laem Tong in front of H.I.
A beachfront bungalow there, will be just a few paces from what you see in that photo. For us........pure paradise !
