Where to stay in Phi Phi?
A guide to the beaches, the hotels and the real distance from the centre
Choosing a hotel on Koh Phi Phi is about much more than choosing between a nice room, a pool and a sea view. This guide will help you understand the areas, the distances, what the route is really like and the experience in each part of the island.
Read the full guideChoosing a hotel on Koh Phi Phi is about much more than choosing between a nice room, a pool and a sea view. The island may be small, but the difference between staying in central Tonsai and a hotel on Long Beach or in one of the remote bays can completely change your holiday. In some areas you can walk to restaurants and shops even in the evening. In others you have to cross jungle paths, climb steps or rely on longtail boats, which do not always run when the sea is rough.
We learned this difference from our own experience, when we chose to stay at HIP Seaview Resort, a beautiful hotel on the hill at the end of Long Beach. We loved the surroundings and the beach, but when we booked we did not realise how complicated the way to the village centre would be.
This guide to where to stay in Phi Phi is meant to help you understand not only where each beach on the island is, but what your holiday will really look like if you choose a hotel in that area: how long it will take to get to restaurants, whether you can walk back after a night out, how suitable the beach is for swimming and which hotels are on each stretch.
Why did we decide to write this guide?
When we booked our hotel on Koh Phi Phi, we were looking for a romantic holiday on a beautiful beach, with tropical scenery, clear sea and a quiet atmosphere. HIP Seaview looked like a great choice.
The hotel sits on a hill at the eastern end of Long Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The strip of white sand, the clear water and the view of Phi Phi's limestone mountains create exactly the picture many people imagine when they think of a holiday in Thailand.
But there was one detail we did not understand until we arrived: the distance from the village is not just a matter of kilometres.
Read our full story
To get to central Tonsai from HIP Seaview, you can take a longtail boat, or walk along the beaches on a path that crosses rocky areas and hills. A walk like that is nothing like an easy seaside promenade.
During our holiday there were times when the wind and the sea meant the boats could not run in the evening. We found ourselves having to walk back, in the dark, along unlit paths, up and down slopes and over rocks.
Even once you reach Long Beach, the way to the hotel is not over. HIP Seaview is above the beach, and you have to climb roughly 100-155 steps to get there. Luggage can go up in a goods lift, but guests walk.
We want to stress: the problem was not that the hotel is not beautiful. Quite the opposite. The problem was that it did not suit the kind of holiday we wanted.
We love spending time on quiet, beautiful beaches, but we also like to go out in the evening, wander between restaurants and shops and decide on the spur of the moment when to head back. We did not want to depend on the weather or wonder every evening whether we would be able to get back to the hotel.
That is why we decided to write this guide. We want anyone booking a hotel on Koh Phi Phi to understand in advance what the location really means, and not discover only after arriving that a hotel that looks close on the map requires a challenging walk or a boat ride.
Before you choose a hotel: how is Koh Phi Phi laid out?
Most of the hotels and tourism are on Koh Phi Phi Don, the inhabited island in the Phi Phi group.
The heart of the island is the Tonsai (Ton Sai) area, home to the main pier. This is usually where ferries and boats arrive from Phuket, Krabi and other destinations.
From here the village paths lead to restaurants, shops, supermarkets, tour agencies, pharmacies and hotels.
On the northern side of the village centre is Loh Dalum Bay, known for its nightlife and parties. Along the south-east coast there are more hotels, followed by small coves and Long Beach.
In the northern and more remote parts of the island are bays such as Loh Ba Kao and Laem Tong, where the experience is different: less wandering around the village and more time inside the resort.
The key difference is that Koh Phi Phi has no ordinary road network that lets you order a taxi from the centre to any hotel. Sometimes the walk is simple and easy, and sometimes you can get there mainly by sea.
Distance table - how long does it really take to walk from Tonsai Pier?
| Area | Approx. distance from the pier | Approx. walk | What the route is like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Tonsai | 0-500 metres | 0-10 minutes | Paved village paths |
| Tonsai East | About 800 metres | 10-15 minutes | Fairly easy village paths |
| Laem Hin | 800 metres-1 km | 10-15 minutes | Paths and walking near the beach |
| Phi Phi Bayview area | About 1.15 km | 15-20 minutes | The route starts to climb |
| Hin Khom, Love and Viking coves | About 1.5-2 km | 25-40 minutes | Narrow paths, steps, roots and rocks |
| Central Long Beach | About 2.1-2.4 km | 35-45 minutes | Beach and jungle paths |
| End of Long Beach - HIP Seaview | About 2.5-2.65 km | 40-50 minutes or more | A challenging route ending with a climb to the hotel |
The times are estimates for walking in daylight, without long stops and in reasonable conditions. On the way to Long Beach the time depends on your fitness, the state of the path, the tide and where your hotel is on or above the beach. In the dark, we do not recommend relying on these walking times.
1Tonsai - the most convenient area to stay
Tonsai is Koh Phi Phi's central area and the most convenient place for anyone who wants a holiday where you can do almost everything on foot.
This is where you will find the pier, restaurants, food stalls, shops, cafés, supermarkets, tour agencies and other services.
The big advantage of staying in the centre is freedom.
You can go out for dinner in the evening, wander between the shops, sit in a bar and walk back to your hotel without thinking about a boat or a dark path.
Being close to the pier also makes arriving on and leaving the island with luggage easier.
Is Tonsai quiet at night?
Not necessarily.
The village centre is busy throughout the day and evening, with travellers, restaurants, bars and boats coming and going.
The noise level varies from street to street and from hotel to hotel.
A room above a restaurant or next to a bar may be noisy, while a room in an inner part of the village can be quieter.
It is also important to distinguish between central Tonsai and the Loh Dalum party area, which is on the other side of the strip of land.
Hotels in the Tonsai area
Who is this area for? First-time visitors to Koh Phi Phi, solo travellers, anyone who likes going out in the evening and anyone who prefers convenience and easy getting around to a secluded beach.
2Loh Dalum - a beautiful beach by day, parties by night
Loh Dalum is the bay north of the village centre, a short walk from Tonsai Pier.
At first glance it is one of the most photographed beaches on the island: a curved bay, pale sand, turquoise water and green mountains all around.
But its character is very different from Long Beach.
Loh Dalum's nightlife
In the evening the beach area turns into one of Koh Phi Phi's party hubs.
Along the strip there are bars and venues with music, parties and fire shows.
If you are coming to go out and party, this is a big advantage.
But if you are looking for a quiet beachfront hotel, choose carefully, especially if the room is close to the party areas.
And what about swimming?
Loh Dalum is a shallow bay, and the tides have a big effect on how the beach looks and how deep the water is.
At low tide the water retreats a long way, and large parts of the bay floor are exposed.
So do not choose it only on the basis of photos of turquoise water. Swimming conditions can be very different at different times of day.
Hotels in the Loh Dalum area
They suit anyone who wants to be very close to the centre and the bay, but pay attention to exactly where the room is in relation to the nightlife spots.
Who is this area for? Travellers who love nightlife, couples and groups of friends who want to be close to the action.
3Tonsai East and Laem Hin - close to the centre, but not all quiet
As you continue east from Tonsai Pier, the atmosphere gradually changes.
The shops and busy streets give way to a stretch of beach with hotels and restaurants, and the distance from the village centre still lets you walk there fairly easily.
Here it is important to distinguish between Tonsai East and Laem Hin.
The two areas are very close to each other, and the boundaries between them are not always clear on maps and booking sites.
Hotels in the Tonsai East and Laem Hin area
Tonsai East - close and easy to reach
The eastern part of Tonsai is about a 10-15 minute walk from the pier.
The first part of the way has paved paths running between buildings, restaurants and greenery.
The walk is fairly easy, especially compared with the hilly route that continues towards Long Beach.
This is a big advantage if you want to go out to the village centre in the evening and walk back.
But do not assume the whole area is quiet. Being close to restaurants and bars affects the noise, especially in the evening.
Laem Hin - a bit more beach, a bit less village
Laem Hin is a small beach area further along the eastern stretch.
Some of the hotels are right on the beach or close to it, and the atmosphere can be calmer than in the village centre.
However, around Hippies Bar there are evening events, music and fire shows.
A hotel right next to the bar may suffer from noise, especially from the evening onwards, while hotels further east can enjoy fairly quiet surroundings.
The conclusion is that it is wrong to label all of Tonsai East as quiet or all of Laem Hin as noisy. The noise level depends mainly on the exact location of the hotel and how close it is to the nightlife spots.
Hotels in the area
Further along the stretch towards the remote bays there are more hotels.
Who is this area for? Anyone who wants to combine being close to the centre with a calmer beach atmosphere, without depending on boats every evening.
4The Phi Phi Bayview area - the transition between the village and the remote beaches
Further east, the route starts to change.
The Phi Phi Bayview area is about 1.15 km from Tonsai Pier, and the walk can take about 15-20 minutes.
But this is where the more significant climbs begin.
The route passes between beach areas and paths climbing the slopes, and where your room is within the hotel can make a big difference to how convenient it is.
A hotel that looks close to the water in the photos may have rooms higher up the hill, with steps and slopes inside the grounds.
This is an especially important point on Koh Phi Phi: even once you have reached the hotel grounds, the way to your room may still be long and steep.
Which hotels are in the area?
In eastern Tonsai and along the way towards Bayview there are also other long-established places to stay.
Who is this area for? Anyone who prefers to get a little away from the bustle, but still wants to be able to walk to the village during the day.
5The coves on the way to Long Beach - beautiful, but the walk is a different story
After the Bayview area, the route towards Long Beach changes significantly.
These are no longer the paved, lit village paths.
The route passes small coves, stretches of beach, steps and jungle paths. In parts of it there are exposed roots, rocks and steep ups and downs.
Along the way you pass through the Hin Khom, Love Beach and Viking Beach areas. The names and boundaries of these coves are not shown consistently on all maps, so it is easier to think of them as one stretch of beaches between Bayview and Long Beach.
How hard is the walk?
The distance from the village to the cove areas is roughly 1.5 to 2 km, but walking times can reach 25-40 minutes.
The route is not suitable for anyone expecting an easy, flat promenade.
In some sections there are steep steps, and in other areas you walk on sand or over rocks.
At low tide you can sometimes shorten sections by walking along the beach. At high tide, when the water comes close to the rocks, you need to use the higher path.
The beach route is not one to walk barefoot without paying attention: in some areas there are rocks and sea urchins.
Can you walk back at night?
This is one of the most important points in this guide.
The paths are not lit, and in the dark it is harder to make out the steps, roots, rocks and changes in ground level.
The tide can also change whether you can walk along the sand, so a route that looks simple at midday can be more challenging in the evening.
We would not recommend planning to walk this route at night as your regular way of getting to your hotel.
Viking Nature Resort
One of the best-known hotels on this stretch is Viking Nature Resort.
It is surrounded by greenery, built on a slope and offers a natural stay fairly far from the village.
But you need to factor in the slopes and steps within the grounds and what the route to the village is like.
Who is this area for? Anyone looking for a fairly quiet holiday who loves nature and is willing to deal with paths and steps or use boats to get around.
6Long Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Phi Phi
Long Beach, also called Hat Yao, is south-east of central Tonsai.
It is a long, beautiful beach with white sand, clear water and impressive views of the limestone cliffs of the Phi Phi Islands.
As a beach experience, it was one of the areas we especially loved during our stay.
The sand is soft and pale, the water is beautiful, and along the strip there are bungalows, restaurants and small hotels.
In the morning, when the sea is calm, you can enjoy a pleasant swim. Near the eastern end of the beach is the Shark Point area, known for snorkelling, but there too you need to take the currents and sea conditions into account.
Long Beach is ideal for anyone looking for a tropical beach holiday that is quieter than the village centre.
But it is less suited to anyone planning to go out to central Tonsai every evening.
How far is Long Beach from the centre?
Central Long Beach is about 2.1-2.4 km from Tonsai Pier.
The walk takes about 35-45 minutes, and sometimes longer.
You need to cross the eastern stretches, the coves and the hilly sections along the way.
Towards Long Beach there is a short, steep climb through the jungle, with ropes to help you across, followed by steps leading back down to the beach.
The route is beautiful, but not as easy as you might think when you look at the map.
Longtail boat - the easier option
The easier way to get to Long Beach is by longtail boat.
The ride itself usually takes about 5-15 minutes, depending on where you leave from, where the boat stops and the sea conditions.
In our experience, the ride between the HIP Seaview area and Tonsai Pier took about 9 minutes.
That is a huge difference compared with a walk that can take almost an hour.
But this is exactly where the problem lies: the boats do not run in all weather, and in high seas or strong winds you may not be able to rely on them.
So a hotel a few minutes' boat ride from the centre is not necessarily a hotel you can easily leave and return to at any hour.
Which hotels are on Long Beach?
There are several hotels and resorts along Long Beach, including:
The hotels are at different points along the beach, and some of the rooms are above the sand line. So even between hotels on the same beach there can be a big difference in the number of steps and the distance to the boat pick-up point.
What can you see in the photos from the beach?
In the photos we took on 29 January you can see the strip of white sand, the clear sea, the longtail boats and the buildings along the beach.
Other photos we took from the boat show how the hotels are built between the strip of sand and the green hills.
In one of the photos you can clearly make out the sign for Phi Phi Long Beach Resort & Villa, with Haad Yao Bungalow next to it.
These photos capture Long Beach's character well: a beautiful beach with hotels a short distance from the water, but with hills behind them that make reaching some of the rooms more challenging.
7HIP Seaview - what does a hotel at the end of Long Beach mean?
HIP Seaview Resort is at the eastern end of Long Beach, on a hill above the beach.
Its location gives it a beautiful view and quiet surroundings, but also puts it a long way from the centre.
The walking distance from Tonsai Pier is roughly 2.5-2.65 km, and the walk can take 40-50 minutes or more, not including stops and depending on the exact spot on the beach.
The climb from the beach to the hotel involves roughly 100-155 steps.
This is a significant detail, especially for anyone arriving with gear, who struggles with steps or plans to go down to the sea and back up to the room several times a day.
Who might HIP Seaview suit?
The hotel is better suited to anyone who wants a quiet holiday, spending a lot of time on the beach and enjoying the view and the surroundings.
It is less suited to anyone planning to go out to the restaurants and bars in Tonsai every evening.
We ourselves found that the location limited our freedom much more than we had expected.
Despite how beautiful the place is, next time we would choose a hotel closer to the centre, or at least one that is easier to reach in the evening.
And that is exactly the distinction we would like every reader to make before booking: not just whether the hotel is beautiful, but whether it suits the way you want to spend your holiday.
8Loh Moo Dee - a more remote beach on the east side
Loh Moo Dee is a bay beyond the Long Beach area, on the east side of the island.
It is a beautiful stretch of beach with tropical vegetation and a quieter atmosphere than central Tonsai.
The beach suits mainly daytime visits, swimming when sea conditions allow and anyone looking for a less crowded beach.
Getting there means taking the paths or arriving by boat, depending on where you start.
If you are planning a holiday with daily trips to the village centre, it is a less convenient area to stay.
On the other hand, if you are coming to get away from the bustle and spend a lot of time on the beach, it can be very appealing.
9Loh Ba Kao - a resort holiday far from the village
Loh Ba Kao is a bay on the north-east side of Koh Phi Phi Don.
The area is very different from Tonsai and Long Beach.
Here the emphasis is on a resort holiday, with a beach, resort facilities, restaurants and tropical scenery.
One of the hotels most associated with the bay is SAii Phi Phi Island Village.
If you book a hotel here, understand that getting to Tonsai's restaurants and nightlife is not a matter of a short walk.
Getting around is usually by boat, and daily life centres on the hotel and the bay.
Who is this area for? Couples, families and travellers looking for a relaxed resort holiday who are happy to spend much of their time within the resort.
10Laem Tong - the remote beaches of northern Koh Phi Phi
Laem Tong is in the north of Koh Phi Phi Don, and it is one of the areas to stay furthest from central Tonsai.
It is a beautiful stretch of beach with a fairly relaxed atmosphere and hotels focused on resort holidays.
Hotels in the area include Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Natural Resort and Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island.
The big advantage is being able to enjoy quiet tropical surroundings, further from the bustle of the village.
The downside is depending on boats to get to the centre and other parts of the island.
If you choose a hotel here, think of your holiday as one centred on the resort, the beach and trips planned in advance, not one where you head out spontaneously to the village centre every evening.
Low tide and high tide - why can the route change during the day?
One of the most important things on Koh Phi Phi is the effect of the tides.
On some beaches you can walk on the sand when the water is low. This route can be easier or shorter than crossing a hilly path.
But when the tide comes in, the water comes up to the rocks and cliffs, and sometimes you cannot carry on along the same route.
In that case you need to use the higher path through the vegetation.
That is why a walk that looks simple at one hour can become more challenging later in the day.
Especially on the way to Long Beach, we do not recommend relying on being able to walk back along the beach in the dark.
Even if the route was easy at midday, that does not mean it will be as easy or as safe in the evening.
Longtail boats - how much do they cost and what happens when they are not running?
Longtail boats are a central part of transport on Koh Phi Phi.
They link Tonsai with Long Beach and other beaches, and let you reach the remote hotels faster than on foot.
For a short ride from Tonsai to Long Beach, you may come across fares of around 100 baht (about $3 / €3) per person during the day, about 150 baht (about $4 / €4) in the evening and about 200 baht (about $6 / €5) late at night or in tougher sea conditions.
These are approximate prices, not a fixed fare for every boat or every hour. The price can vary with the number of passengers, the weather and whether you can share a boat.
But the real problem is not always the price.
What happens when the wind picks up?
When there is strong wind or high waves, boat operators may stop the service.
Sometimes the decision is made that same evening, depending on the conditions.
That is exactly what we experienced during our stay.
Although geographically the hotel was a short boat ride from the centre, once the boats stopped running we were left with the option of walking back on a long, dark route.
So before you book a hotel on Long Beach or in a remote bay, understand that being able to reach it by boat does not guarantee transport at all hours of the day and in all weather.
Many hotels can help arrange a boat, but that service also depends on sea conditions.
Which area suits your holiday style?
| What matters to you on holiday? | The area we would check first |
|---|---|
| Restaurants, shopping and easy access to the pier | Central Tonsai |
| Parties and nightlife | Loh Dalum |
| Close to the centre with a beach atmosphere | Tonsai East and Laem Hin |
| A little quieter, without going too far | Around Phi Phi Bayview |
| Nature, bungalows and small coves | The Viking area and the coves |
| A beautiful swimming beach and relative quiet | Long Beach |
| A secluded holiday with fewer trips to the village | Loh Ba Kao |
| A quiet resort on a remote beach | Laem Tong |
These are starting points for choosing an area, not a substitute for checking the exact location of the hotel. On the same beach there can be one hotel right on the sand and another high up on the hill next to it.
The mistake we would avoid when booking a hotel on Koh Phi Phi
If we were going through our booking process again, we would not start with the photos of the room and the view.
We would start with a simple question: how will we get to the hotel at 23:00 if we want to come back from dinner or a night out in the centre?
Then we would check how many steps there are on the way to the room, whether you can get there with luggage, whether the beach is suitable for swimming and what the real walking distance is.
Only after that would we choose between rooms and hotels.
Koh Phi Phi is a beautiful island, but it is also a destination where the terrain has a big effect on your holiday.
A remote beach can be a wonderful choice for anyone who wants peace, privacy and time by the sea.
That very same beach can be a less successful choice for anyone who loves going out every evening and coming back whenever they feel like it.
The bottom line - where is it best to stay on Koh Phi Phi?
There is no single beach that suits everyone.
For first-time visitors to Koh Phi Phi who want to enjoy both the beaches and the restaurants and evening life, the Tonsai area and the nearby parts of the eastern stretch will usually be the most convenient option.
For anyone looking for a more beautiful and quieter beach, Long Beach is an excellent choice for its scenery and atmosphere, but factor in the way to the centre and the possible dependence on boats.
For anyone looking for a secluded resort holiday who plans to spend most of their time at the hotel, Loh Ba Kao and Laem Tong can be a very good fit.
We loved Long Beach, and the view and atmosphere of the area we stayed in. But we learned that a good holiday does not depend only on how beautiful a place is.
The hotel's location needs to suit the way you like to spend your holiday. If you love freedom, spontaneity and going out in the evening, make sure you know in advance how you will get back to the hotel. And if you are actually looking to disconnect from everything, a remote hotel on one of Koh Phi Phi's beautiful beaches may be exactly what you need.
FAQ about choosing a hotel on Koh Phi Phi
Which area should you stay in on your first visit to Koh Phi Phi?
For travellers who want to be close to restaurants, shops, boats and evening life, central Tonsai and the areas next to it are an especially convenient option.
What is the difference between Tonsai and Loh Dalum?
Tonsai is the pier area and the village's commercial centre. Loh Dalum is on its northern side and is more associated with nightlife and beach parties. Both areas have calmer parts and livelier parts.
Is Laem Hin quiet at night?
In the more remote parts of the stretch the atmosphere can be fairly calm, but around Hippies Bar you may hear music in the evening. How quiet it is depends on where the hotel is.
Can you walk from Tonsai to Long Beach?
Yes, in daylight and in suitable conditions. The walk takes roughly 35-45 minutes to the middle of the beach, and longer to the hotels at the eastern end or on the hills.
Is the route to Long Beach difficult?
The route includes beaches, steps, slopes and jungle paths. It is more challenging than an ordinary walk along the village paths.
Can you walk to Long Beach at night?
The route is not lit and includes rocky, steep sections. We do not recommend relying on it as a regular night-time walking route.
How long does a longtail boat to Long Beach take?
Usually about 5-15 minutes, depending on where you leave from and the sea conditions.
Are there always boats back to the village?
No. Strong wind and rough seas can stop the service, even at times when there are usually boats.
Is Long Beach good for swimming?
Yes, when the sea is calm it offers pleasant swimming conditions. In the Shark Point area you can also snorkel in suitable conditions, but watch out for currents and boats.
Is it worth choosing a hillside hotel on Koh Phi Phi?
Hotels like these can offer impressive views and privacy, but take into account the many steps and the walk between your room and the beach.
Where are the secluded luxury hotels?
In the Loh Ba Kao area there is SAii Phi Phi Island Village, and in the Laem Tong area there are Zeavola, Phi Phi Natural Resort and other hotels.
Is it worth booking a hotel far from the centre to get some quiet?
It can be a great choice if you are planning a relaxed resort holiday. If you love going out every evening, weigh up the difficulty and cost of getting around.