Phi Phi Bayview & Premier Resort — the Koh Phi Phi resort with balconies over Tonsai Bay, up on the hillside

The reason people keep choosing Phi Phi Bayview hasn't changed for years, and it's the view. This is an island resort up on the hillside above Laem Hin Beach, on the east side of Tonsai Bay, and most rooms have a private balcony facing the sea — looking out over Tonsai Bay, the Andaman Sea and limestone cliffs as a backdrop. Plenty of reviews agree that pulling back the curtains to a view like that makes the trip worth it — and for many people it's the one thing that lets them forgive the dated rooms.

The other thing that sets this place apart from the accommodation over on the Tonsai-Loh Dalum side is its quieter location. The resort sits at Laem Hin Beach, a small cove on the east side of Tonsai, set apart from the central zone with its beach clubs and late-night music. Even so, it's about a 10-minute walk into Tonsai village if you want to head out for food or an evening stroll. In short, you get the calm of the quiet side without being cut off from the village's conveniences.

On getting there, first understand that Koh Phi Phi has no cars. You'll take a ferry from Krabi or Phuket pier and land at Tonsai Pier, the island's main jetty. The upside here is that there's a free boat transfer between Tonsai Pier and the resort, so you don't have to haul your bags through the crowded village or hire a longtail yourself every time. That said, arrivals and departures depend on the boat schedule and the tide — at low tide you sometimes have to wade a little when boarding, and the beach in front of the resort is a small one rather than a wide stretch of white sand for swimming.

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The rooms are split into two wings, the Bayview Wing and the Premier Wing. They range from the budget Superior, to Deluxe rooms with sea or garden views, to Grand Deluxe / Premier Deluxe Sea View rooms with a more open outlook, up to the Premier Family Garden — a large family room that's among the biggest on the island. The build and decor lean toward simple island-resort style. If the view matters to you, book a Sea View room directly, because some rooms face the garden or hillside forest more than the sea.

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The common areas include a swimming pool with a jacuzzi to cool off in, and a beachfront restaurant, The Bay, where you can eat looking out at the sea. The overall feel is a quiet hillside-forest resort, better suited to couples or families who want to unwind slowly than to partygoers. From here you can still book the usual longtail trips out to snorkel the reefs or head to Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Bear in mind that food and drink prices everywhere on the island run higher than on the mainland — and this place is no exception.

Now for the things to say straight before you book. The biggest is that the rooms and facilities are fairly dated and unevenly maintained — recent reviews mention cockroaches, marks on walls and ceilings, weak water pressure and unreliable hot water. You have to accept that this is a budget island resort where you're paying for the view, not a brand-new room. If you're very particular about how new and pristine a room is, you may want to bump your budget up to the 4–5 star places over on the Laem Tong or Loh Ba Kao side instead.

The second point is that the terrain is hilly, with lots of steps and slopes. Walking up and down is fairly tiring and it's not ideal for anyone with mobility issues or heavy luggage. Third, some reviews grumble about value for money, and there have been mentions of being asked to pay extra in cash or a card fee at check-out — so it's worth confirming your bill and payment method clearly at check-in. Note: the pool has occasionally been closed for maintenance at times, so check before booking if the pool is your main reason for going.

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A quick note on the name. This resort was formerly called Arayaburi Resort, and that name still shows up in some booking links — it's the same property under the same owner, so don't let it confuse you. And take care not to mix it up with 'Bayview Resort Phi Phi Island – Beach Front', which is a separate property under the same owner. When you book, check that the name reads Phi Phi Bayview & Premier and the address matches Laem Hin Beach.

In short, Phi Phi Bayview & Premier Resort suits people who put the view and the quiet ahead of a new-feeling room. If you're fine with a slightly dated island resort, can handle the hillside walk, and want to wake up to the Andaman Sea from your balcony for a starting price in the low thousands — this genuinely earns its keep on the view. But if you're expecting a pristine new room, a wide sandy beach right outside, or a party in the thick of the action, look instead at the accommodation over on the Loh Dalum side or the premium places at Laem Tong / Loh Ba Kao.