Phi Phi The Beach Resort — hillside sea-view villas on Long Beach, Koh Phi Phi with snorkelling off the sand
If you're coming to Koh Phi Phi for clear water and quiet rather than the beach parties over on the Tonsai side, Phi Phi The Beach Resort is on a completely different corner of the island. It's a run of villas climbing a hillside above Long Beach (Hat Yao), every one facing the open Andaman and looking across toward Phi Phi Leh and the line of Maya Bay in the distance. The real draw is a clear-water private beach where you can walk in and snorkel over the reef right off the sand — some days you'll see schools of fish and small blacktip reef sharks. You reach it by longtail boat from Tonsai Pier in about 5 minutes. From approx. ฿2,000/night, scoring 8.5 on Booking (couples give it 8.9).
Koh Phi Phi has two completely opposite modes. The first is the Tonsai and Loh Dalum side — the village in the middle of the island, packed with shops and bars and parties that run from dusk till dawn. The other is the quiet side, like Long Beach, or Hat Yao, where Phi Phi The Beach Resort sits — a whole corner of the island away from the noise. If you're coming to Phi Phi to genuinely relax rather than to dance, this is the right side to pick, and it's what reviews praise most often — you get the beautiful water of Phi Phi without having to put up with the bass all night.
You need to understand the logistics before you book, because Koh Phi Phi has no cars on the island. The ferry from Phuket or Krabi lands at Tonsai Pier, the island's only pier. From there you get to Long Beach two ways — a longtail boat of about 5 minutes, roughly 100 baht per person, or a walk along the shore of about 20–30 minutes (though dragging luggage over sand on a narrow path isn't much fun). Most people go with the longtail, and it's worth telling the resort about the transfer ahead of time.
"We took the ferry to Tonsai, then a longtail for another five minutes, and the moment the boat rounded into the bay and I saw the clear water and the villas lined up the hill, I knew coming all the way to this side was worth it."
The resort itself is a set of villas climbing the hillside, each with a private balcony. What everyone talks about is the elevated sea view — the higher the villa, the wider the Andaman opens up, looking across toward Phi Phi Leh and the line of Maya Bay. The Sea View and Grand Sea View Deluxe rooms are the ones with the fullest views. Rooms come with little touches like a few complimentary minibar items. Couples rate it especially highly (Booking couples 8.9), because this kind of quiet setting and romantic view suits a trip for two very well.
But a beautiful view up the hill comes with a trade-off you have to be ready for. The resort is a steep slope, and the upper/inner villas mean climbing plenty of steps up from the beach. There's a buggy that helps with transfers, but it's not running all the time. Anyone with bad knees, travelling with older relatives, or hauling heavy bags should ask for a lower-level villa near the beach up front. This is something reviews warn about often, because some guests end up in an upper villa and get tired of the steps every time they go up or down.
The real heart of the place is the private beach in front of the resort. Clear water, lovely sand, and — most importantly — you can snorkel over the reef right off the sand without taking a boat anywhere. Grab a mask, walk in, and you're onto the reef and the schools of fish; some days people spot small blacktip reef sharks cruising past (harmless, and a sign of healthy water). For snorkelling lovers, this is the big reason to choose this side over the village, because the water off Tonsai is murkier and far busier with boats.
On food and service, the resort has a beachside restaurant and bar with a nice setting where you can sit and look out at the sea. Many reviews say breakfast is generous and decent. The staff draw consistent praise in more recent reviews — friendly, attentive and genuinely helpful, from arranging boat transfers to sorting out island tours. On an island where everything has to come in by boat, having a team that helps solve problems for you matters a great deal, and it's what brings many guests back for a repeat stay.
"A few steps down from our room and we were snorkelling among fish everywhere, and the staff helped with everything from boats to tours — you just have to make peace with the steps up to the villa."
There are things to accept before booking, and they're real. First, the rooms and common areas look dated and show wear, and on very hot days some rooms' air-con doesn't get properly cold — this place sells the view and the location, not new-build luxury. Second, mosquitoes and biting insects, especially in the late afternoon, in the villas and garden, so bring your own repellent. Third, the boat factor — getting in and out depends on longtail boats, which depend on the weather and swell; on rough days it can be awkward, and stringing together several boat legs makes some people feel it's more of a hassle than a mainland stay.
In short, Phi Phi The Beach Resort suits couples, or anyone who wants Phi Phi's beautiful water in a quiet setting with snorkelling off the sand, and who isn't too fussed about slightly dated rooms or the climb up the hill. It starts around ฿2,000/night for garden/hillside villas, moving up with the level of sea view, and clearly pricier in high season. With a Booking score of 8.5 and consistent praise for the beach, the views and the staff — if the quiet side of Phi Phi is what you're after, this is a great-value pick.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Hillside sea-view villas looking toward Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay, private balcony on every one
- ✓ Clear-water private beach with snorkelling over reef and schools of fish off the sand
- ✓ Quiet, away from the Tonsai crowds, well suited to couples (couples 8.9)
- ✓ Friendly, attentive staff who help with everything from boat transfers to tours
- ! Getting in and out depends on longtail boats from Tonsai, subject to the weather
- ! Steep hillside — the upper villas mean climbing plenty of steps
- ! Rooms and common areas look dated, and some rooms' air-con doesn't get very cold
- ✓ Lovely clear-water beach with snorkelling right off the sand, no boat needed
- ✓ Gorgeous sea views from the hillside villas, great for photos and relaxing
- ✓ Quiet, peaceful setting away from the parties in the middle of the island
- ✓ Nice beachside restaurant-bar and a generous breakfast spread
- ! Several boat legs to get there, more of a hassle than a mainland stay
- ! Lots of steps up to the villas, not ideal for bad knees or older guests
- ! Mosquitoes and insects in the garden in the late afternoon, bring repellent
- 💡If you want a stay that's easy to reach without a boat transfer — this one needs a longtail boat from Tonsai of about 5 minutes (~100 baht per person) and depends on the weather → if the boat factor doesn't work for you, choose a stay on the Tonsai side that you can walk to from the pier instead.
- 💡If you have bad knees or are travelling with older relatives or young children — the resort is a steep slope and the upper villas mean climbing plenty of steps → ask for a lower-level villa near the beach when you book.
- 💡If you expect new, luxurious rooms and ice-cold air-con — the rooms and common areas here look dated and show wear, and some rooms' air-con doesn't get very cold → if new-build luxury matters most, spend up to a higher-tier resort on the island instead.