In a nutshell
- There are 4 areas we recommend for staying on Koh Phi Phi. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons and share our top hotel picks for each one.
- If you want to be central, enjoy the nightlife, or are only on Koh Phi Phi for a short time, we recommend a hotel in the center. We stayed at the PP Insula and can highly recommend it — seriously good value for the money.
- For a beautiful hotel right on the beach, check out the Mama Beach Residence. It’s about a ten-minute walk to the center.
- In the really quiet areas, you’ll be mostly dependent on longtail taxi boats to get around.
- Koh Phi Phi is one of the pricier islands in Thailand. In high season, prices for a good double room start at 60 euros. It’s cheaper in the off-season.
Where to Stay on Koh Phi Phi?
Koh Phi Phi is one of the smaller islands in Thailand that many tourists visit on their first trip.
And yet there are four areas we recommend for staying on Koh Phi Phi. Which area suits you depends a lot on what you’re actually here for.
The 4 best areas for a hotel on Koh Phi Phi are:
- The Center: You’re close to the parties and the ferry pier. Perfect for partygoers and anyone planning just a short stop on Koh Phi Phi. ➞ PP Insula
- Tonsai Bay: The beach closest to the center. Ideal for those who want to be able to walk to the center and the parties in 15 minutes, but still have a hotel by the sea. ➞ Mama Beach Residence
- Long Beach & Viking Beach: Great for anyone who wants a beachfront hotel a bit away from the crowds, but still within 30 minutes of the center. ➞ Phi Phi the Beach Resort
- Loh Ba Kao Beach & Laem Tong Beach: Perfect for anyone looking for complete peace and quiet at a resort on Koh Phi Phi and just wants to relax on beautiful beaches. ➞ SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Note: There are no cars on Koh Phi Phi. From the ferry pier to Long Beach you can just about walk, or you can take a longtail boat. To reach Loh Ba Kao Beach and Laem Tong Beach you have to take a longtail boat — on foot it’s an hour through the jungle.
The 4 Areas on a Map
For a better overview, we’ve plotted all four areas on a map so you can see exactly where everything sits.
It also makes it really clear just how far Loh Ba Kao Beach and Laem Tong Beach are from the ferry pier — and therefore from the center. Out there, you’ll have all the peace and quiet you could want.
A Hotel in Koh Phi Phi's Center
Bottom line: A hotel in Koh Phi Phi’s center is perfect if you’re only on the island for a short time — or if you want to be steps away from restaurants, bars, and shops.
Are you on Koh Phi Phi to party, or just for a quick stopover? Then book a hotel in the center. From here, you can reach everything on foot in just a few minutes.
This is where the ferry pier is, the parties happen every evening in the alleyways and along the adjacent Loh Dalum Beach, and you’ll also find most of the restaurants and shops here.
We stayed here on our last trip through Thailand too — not for the parties, but because we had booked the first tour to Maya Bay and wanted to be close to the boats.
That makes the center a great base if you’re planning a lot of sightseeing and activities on Koh Phi Phi — the trail to the famous viewpoint also starts right around here.
Advantages of staying in Koh Phi Phi’s center
- Close to the ferry pier
- Great infrastructure with restaurants, bars, and shops
- Perfect base for sightseeing and day trips
Disadvantages of staying in Koh Phi Phi’s center
- No beachfront hotels right in the center
- Accommodation tends to be on the basic side
- Parties right around the corner
Our Hotel Recommendations in Koh Phi Phi's Center
We stayed at the PP Insula on our last visit and felt really at home. The rooms are cozy, the owners are incredibly friendly, and the price is affordable for Koh Phi Phi. Bonus: we couldn’t hear a thing from the bar music.
We also really love the Coco Beach Resort. It’s a bit off to the side, but it makes up for it with a large pool right on the beach. You stay in cool bungalows here. That said, you can hear the music from the beach bars.
Good & affordable
Better
Luxurious
A Hotel in Tonsai Bay on Koh Phi Phi
Bottom line: Tonsai Bay is ideal if you want a hotel right on or near the beach, but still want to reach the center quickly on foot.
You want to be near the center, but ideally in a beachfront hotel in a quieter setting? Then Tonsai Bay is where you should stay.
Tonsai Bay is the stretch of beach on Koh Phi Phi that you look right out onto when you arrive. There are a handful of hotels scattered on either side of it.
Honestly, the selection of good hotels isn’t huge — but there are three that were already on our shortlist last time.
Depending on where your hotel is, you’ll walk ten to 15 minutes to the center. So it’s also easy to head out for dinner or check out one of the many bars in the evening.
Advantages of staying in Tonsai Bay
- Hotels are usually right on the beach
- Only ten to 15 minutes on foot to the ferry pier and the center
- Restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance
- Lovely beachfront promenade along the bay
Disadvantages of staying in Tonsai Bay
- Only a small selection of nice places to stay
- The bay can get noisy at times because of the boats
Our Hotel Recommendations in Tonsai Bay
If the PP Insula hadn’t been available, we would have booked the Mama Beach Residence. The hotel is right on the beach, has a lovely pool, and every morning you get a delicious breakfast with a sea view.
On the other side of Tonsai Bay and equally beautiful is the Phi Phi Villa Resort. The setting on a private stretch of beach is stunning and you sleep in cozy bungalows. There’s also a pool and breakfast included.
Good & affordable
Better
A Hotel on Long Beach or Viking Beach on Koh Phi Phi
Bottom line: Long Beach is perfect if you want a laid-back hotel on a dream beach, with the option to reach the center quickly by boat.
Long Beach and Viking Beach are two truly paradise-like beaches on Koh Phi Phi. From here you have the perfect view of Tonsai Bay and can easily swim over to the popular Shark Point for snorkeling.
In the mornings and evenings, the beaches are quiet and only accessible by boat. During peak travel season in Thailand, however, many longtail boats pass through during the day bringing tourists to the beach or Shark Point. So you shouldn’t be too sensitive to noise.
To get to the center, you can walk about 30 to 40 minutes along a small jungle trail by the beach. Alternatively, take a taxi boat — depending on the time of day, that costs from 100 baht (about $3). Some hotels also offer a pickup service.
When choosing your hotel, pay close attention to the dining options available, because there aren’t many restaurants here. On the plus side, there are no parties either.
Advantages of staying on Long Beach or Viking Beach
- One of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phi Phi
- Ideal spot for snorkeling
- The most affordable beachfront accommodation
- Very quiet in the mornings and evenings
Disadvantages of staying on Long Beach or Viking Beach
- Only accessible by longtail boat or a long walk
- Center is 30 to 40 minutes away
- Very few restaurants
- Can get noisy during the day because of the longtail boats
Our Hotel Recommendations on Long Beach and Viking Beach
The Phi Phi the Beach Resort offers everything you need for a few relaxing days in paradise. Large, comfortable bungalows, a beautiful pool, breakfast included, and an on-site restaurant.
You’ll pay less at the Paradise Pearl Bungalows. The rooms have a traditional Thai style, the garden is gorgeous, and there’s a restaurant serving everything from breakfast to dinner.
Good & affordable
Better
A Resort on Koh Phi Phi at Loh Ba Kao Beach or Laem Tong Beach
Bottom line: Loh Ba Kao Beach and Laem Tong Beach are ideal if you want to get away from the crowds and the parties and stay at a beautiful beachfront resort.
You’re on Koh Phi Phi to simply enjoy the stunning beaches and nature — and you want nothing to do with mass tourism? Then we’d point you toward Loh Ba Kao Beach or Laem Tong Beach.
Both beaches are located in the far southeast of Koh Phi Phi — far from the parties, the busy center, and the noise of the longtail boats. Out here, you genuinely feel like you’re on a completely different island.
Around Loh Ba Kao Beach there’s a small village with a modest selection of restaurants. It’s at least an hour’s walk through the jungle to the pier — so you’re essentially always dependent on longtail boats.
That said, you can easily just stay put at your hotel, because you’ll find some seriously luxurious resorts here. Unlike the other hotels on the island, these are comparable to the resorts in Khao Lak or the beachfront hotels in Phuket.
Advantages of staying at Loh Ba Kao Beach or Laem Tong Beach
- Very peaceful setting away from the tourist crowds
- This is where you’ll find the most beautiful resorts
- Two of the most stunning beaches on Koh Phi Phi
- Small but good selection of restaurants within walking distance
Disadvantages of staying at Loh Ba Kao Beach or Laem Tong Beach
- Only accessible by boat, 30 to 40 minutes from the ferry pier
- Room prices are the highest on the island
- Tides can affect swimming and boat access
Our Hotel Recommendations at Loh Ba Kao Beach and Laem Tong Beach
The SAii Phi Phi Island Village sits right on the beach beneath tall palm trees. The rooms are modern, bright, and really spacious. Every morning you get a generous breakfast, and during the day you can visit the spa or rent a kayak or bicycle.
A little further north is the equally luxurious Zeavola Resort. The spacious suites feature a modern Thai design and floor-to-ceiling windows. A generous breakfast buffet is included, and the food overall is seriously good.
Better
Luxurious
Our Personal Hotel Recommendations on Koh Phi Phi
We’ve done several long trips through Thailand and have been to Koh Phi Phi twice. We can wholeheartedly recommend both places we stayed — here’s the full story.
#1 Phuphaya Seaview Resort
On our first trip to Thailand, we headed straight from Chiang Mai — with a quick overnight stop in Phuket — to Koh Phi Phi. We had booked the Phuphaya Seaview Resort.
We were greeted by the most beautiful infinity pool we’ve ever seen on a trip. The view of Koh Phi Phi from up there is simply breathtaking — we spent hours getting the best vacation shots there.
We stayed in one of the small, charming bungalows. They’ve since been renovated and now feature a really lovely, modern Thai design.
Admittedly the location isn’t quite ideal — from the center you have to walk about ten minutes uphill. On the plus side, you’re not far from the entrance to the Phi Phi Viewpoint.
For 200 baht (about $6) you get a small but good breakfast. Overall, the Phuphaya Seaview Resort is a fairly basic place to stay on Koh Phi Phi — but the pool makes it totally worth it! And the price is really affordable for Koh Phi Phi.
#2 PP Insula
As mentioned above, on our last trip we stayed at the PP Insula on Koh Phi Phi. The hotel is truly right in the center, just a three-minute walk from the ferry pier.
All around you’ll find really good Thai restaurants, as well as international food. And it’s also just a three-minute walk to the bars in the alleyways and to Loh Dalum Beach.
The great thing: despite being so centrally located, you really can’t hear any music — we slept like a log, haha!
The hotel itself is small and family-run. The owners are incredibly friendly, and they even let us check out a little late since we wanted to shower after our tour to Maya Bay.
We felt really comfortable in our double room. The beds are super comfortable and there’s plenty of storage space everywhere — including in the bathroom! The price is also seriously affordable.
What You Need to Know Before Booking Your Hotel on Koh Phi Phi
Before you lock in your favorite hotel on Koh Phi Phi, here are three important things to keep in mind.
#1 Hotel Prices on Koh Phi Phi
Hotel prices on Koh Phi Phi are considerably higher than the average across Thailand. This was where we paid the most on our trip — only in Khao Lak are prices about the same. In the off-season, however, prices drop significantly.
We also find that many hotels on Koh Phi Phi offer poor value for money — you often pay a lot for pretty basic lodging.
That’s why you won’t find a huge list of picks in our article. We only recommend hotels that we think offer genuine value and that we would actually book ourselves.
#2 Book Hotels Early During Peak Season
We strongly recommend booking your accommodation on Koh Phi Phi during peak season — December through April — as early as possible.
The best hotels fill up fast during this time, and you’ll end up paying way too much for very basic hotels or hostels.
When planning, keep in mind that many hotels, especially on Booking, can still be canceled free of charge up to a few weeks before arrival — so you’re not locked in if your plans change.
#3 There Are No Cars on Koh Phi Phi
When deciding where to stay on Koh Phi Phi, always keep in mind that no cars are allowed on the island — which means there are no taxis.
Many hotels, especially the more luxurious ones, do offer a pickup and drop-off service to and from the pier. Your luggage is then carted across the island on a trolley. This service often costs extra, though.
Getting from Long Beach or the beaches in the northeast to the center and the pier also isn’t quick. If you don’t want to hike through the jungle, you’ll always be dependent on paid longtail taxi boats.
