Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a small group of limestone islands in the Andaman Sea, part of Krabi province and roughly halfway between Phuket and the Krabi coast. Only the larger island, Phi Phi Don, has places to stay. Its two wooded halves are joined by a low, narrow strip of sand, with Tonsai Bay on one side and Loh Dalum Bay on the other, and almost all of the island's restaurants, bars, dive shops and guesthouses are packed onto that strip.

The smaller island, Phi Phi Leh, is uninhabited and protected as part of a national park. It's home to Maya Bay, made famous by the film The Beach, and most visitors see it on a boat trip from Phi Phi Don.

There are no cars on Phi Phi Don. You walk, or you take a longtail boat, so the area you choose decides how easy it is to reach the ferry, the bars and the beaches. The places we list range from simple hostels and guesthouses in the village to bungalow resorts on the quieter bays. Filter them by area and type below, or read the area guide first.

Getting there
Ferries and speedboats from Phuket and Krabi; ferries usually take around 1.5 to 2 hours
Arrival point
Tonsai Pier, in the middle of the village
Getting around
On foot or by longtail boat; there are no cars
Nearest airports
Krabi (KBV) and Phuket (HKT), both via the mainland piers
Wettest months
Usually May to October

Places to stay in Koh Phi Phi

11 hotels

Guesthouse in Tonsai Village & Laem Hin

Aladdin Guest House

Family rooms and a round-the-clock desk between Ton Sai and Loh Dalum beaches

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • family rooms
See today's offers

Hotel in Loh Bagao, Laem Tong & the quiet north

PP Red Tuna Hut

Balconies over the sea and a seafood restaurant on Loh Bakao Beach

  • beachfront
  • free Wi-Fi
See today's offers

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi, area by area

Everything starts at Tonsai Pier. The village fills the sandy isthmus between Tonsai and Loh Dalum bays; Long Beach lies along the south-east coast, and the hilly northern arm of the island has a handful of small, quiet bays.

Tonsai Village & Laem Hin

Best for convenience and eating out

The village behind Tonsai Bay is a maze of narrow lanes lined with restaurants, bakeries, dive centres, massage shops and tour desks. Ferries come and go from the pier all day, which makes this the easiest base if you're only staying a night or two or have heavy bags.

East of the pier, the small beach at Laem Hin is a little calmer, and the steps up to the island's famous viewpoint start nearby. Expect noise from bars and late-night revellers in the centre of the village.

Loh Dalum

Best for nightlife and sunset drinks

On the north side of the isthmus, a few minutes' walk from the pier, Loh Dalum is a wide, sheltered bay framed by limestone cliffs. By day the water is calm and shallow, and at low tide it drains a long way out; after dark the beach bars bring out speakers and fire shows and keep going late.

Staying here puts you in the middle of the party. Look a little back from the beach, or towards the ends of the bay, if you want to sleep before the music stops.

Long Beach

Best for swimming and snorkelling

Long Beach, or Hat Yao, runs along the south-east coast with views across the water to Phi Phi Leh. The sand is soft, the water is clear, and the snorkelling just offshore is some of the best you can reach without a boat trip.

It's much quieter than the village. A coastal path links the two, but it's hilly in places and many people take a longtail boat instead, especially after dark.

Loh Bagao, Laem Tong & the quiet north

Best for getting away from it all

North of Loh Dalum, Phi Phi Don stretches into a long, hilly arm with small bays such as Loh Bagao and Loh Lana, and Laem Tong at its northern tip. Resorts here are spread out, the beaches are quiet, and evenings are spent on a terrace rather than in a bar.

Getting to the village usually means a longtail boat or a long walk on jungle paths, so most people staying in the north treat it as a place to unwind and only head into Tonsai now and then. Ask your hotel about boat transfers from the pier when you book.

Questions about staying in Koh Phi Phi

Which area of Koh Phi Phi is best for a first visit?

Tonsai village, close to the pier, is the easiest base: ferries, restaurants, dive shops and tour desks are all within a few minutes' walk. If you want to be near the beach bars, Loh Dalum is just across the isthmus. For a quieter stay with better swimming, look at Long Beach or the northern bays.

How do I get to Koh Phi Phi?

There's no airport on the island. Ferries and speedboats run from Phuket and from the Krabi coast, including Krabi town and Ao Nang, and arrive at Tonsai Pier. Ferries typically take around 1.5 to 2 hours; check current timetables, as sailings change with the season. A small entry fee is usually collected when you land.

Is Koh Phi Phi noisy at night?

Parts of it, yes. The bars on Loh Dalum beach and in the centre of Tonsai village play music late into the night. If you want peace and quiet, choose a place set back from the beach, on the hillside, or at Long Beach or in the north.

Can I visit Maya Bay from Phi Phi Don?

Yes. Longtail and speedboat tours from Tonsai visit Phi Phi Leh, including Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave. Access to Maya Bay is managed by the national park, swimming there is not allowed, and it can close for recovery, so check the current rules before you go.

When is the best time to visit Koh Phi Phi?

The dry season, roughly November to April, usually brings calm seas and the best conditions for boat trips and snorkelling. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings more rain and choppier crossings, though prices are often lower and the island is quieter.

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