Area guide
Where to Stay on Phi Phi Island
Phi Phi Don is small, but each beach feels very different. Here is how the seven areas compare, with our top-rated picks in each.
7areas
211places to stay
Short answer: stay in Tonsai Village if it is your first visit or you are on a budget, on Long Beach for the best swimming and a quieter night, and at Laem Tong or Loh Bagao for a luxury resort. Party-goers should be on or near Loh Dalum Bay.
| Area | Best for | Places | Avg. rating | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonsai Village | First-timers, convenience, budget stays | 145 | 3.9 | $23 |
| Loh Dalum Bay | Nightlife, backpackers, sunsets | 34 | 3.8 | $22 |
| Laem Hin Beach | Quieter rooms close to the pier | 7 | 4.0 | $30 |
| Long Beach (Hat Yao) | Swimming, snorkelling, couples | 9 | 4.1 | $42 |
| Rantee & Toh Ko Bays | Seclusion, snorkelling, rustic bungalows | 4 | 4.0 | $37 |
| Loh Bagao & Pak Nam | Families, resort stays, privacy | 8 | 4.5 | $40 |
| Laem Tong | Luxury, honeymoons, total peace | 4 | 4.3 | $73 |
Map of Phi Phi hotel areas
Tonsai Village
Best for: First-timers, convenience, budget stays. Vibe: Busy, walkable, lively until late.
Tonsai Village sits on the narrow sandy isthmus in the middle of Koh Phi Phi Don, right where the ferries from Phuket, Krabi and Ao Nang arrive. It is the island's centre of gravity: lanes packed with restaurants, dive shops, massage places, pharmacies, ATMs and tour desks.
Getting there: Ferries dock at Tonsai Pier, so most hotels are a short walk away. There are no cars, only footpaths and bicycles; porters with carts wait at the pier.
Loh Dalum Bay
Best for: Nightlife, backpackers, sunsets. Vibe: Party beach by night, calm shallows by day.
Loh Dalum Bay is the north-facing beach on the other side of the village isthmus. It is a wide, shallow bay that turns into sand flats at low tide, and at night its beach bars are the heart of Phi Phi's party scene, with fire shows and music.
Getting there: A 5–10 minute walk across the village from Tonsai Pier. The Phi Phi Viewpoint trail starts on this side of the island.
Laem Hin Beach
Best for: Quieter rooms close to the pier. Vibe: Relaxed, a step away from the crowds.
Laem Hin is the stretch of Tonsai Bay just east of the pier. It keeps you within walking distance of the village while putting a little distance between you and the busiest lanes and bars.
Getting there: Roughly a 5–10 minute walk east of Tonsai Pier along the Tonsai Bay beachfront path.
Long Beach (Hat Yao)
Best for: Swimming, snorkelling, couples. Vibe: Quiet, scenic, views of Phi Phi Leh.
Long Beach (Hat Yao) is on the south-east coast of Phi Phi Don, facing Phi Phi Leh across the water. It is widely considered one of the island's best swimming beaches, with clearer water and good snorkelling just offshore.
Getting there: A longtail boat from Tonsai takes a few minutes, or walk the hilly coastal and jungle path (allow about 20–30 minutes).
Rantee & Toh Ko Bays
Best for: Seclusion, snorkelling, rustic bungalows. Vibe: Remote and simple.
Rantee Bay and Toh Ko Bay are small beaches on Phi Phi Don's east coast, cut off from the village by jungle-covered hills. Most visitors arrive briefly on snorkelling trips; staying overnight means having the sand mostly to yourself once the boats leave.
Getting there: Usually by longtail boat from Tonsai; walking trails exist but are steep. Arrange a pickup with your hotel.
Loh Bagao & Pak Nam
Best for: Families, resort stays, privacy. Vibe: Calm resort beaches.
On the north-east coast, Loh Bagao and Pak Nam bays are home to some of Phi Phi's larger resorts, including the island's top-rated big property in our data. The beaches are long and quiet, and the resorts are largely self-contained with restaurants, pools and spas.
Getting there: Resorts run boat transfers from Tonsai Pier, and some offer direct speedboats from Phuket or Krabi. Confirm transfers when booking.
Laem Tong
Best for: Luxury, honeymoons, total peace. Vibe: Upscale and secluded.
Laem Tong is the white-sand beach at the far northern tip of Phi Phi Don. It is the island's luxury corner, with a small number of spread-out resorts and a traditional sea-gypsy (Chao Leh) fishing village.
Getting there: Around the northern tip of the island, reached by resort speedboat or longtail. Most resorts arrange transfers from Phuket, Krabi or Tonsai Pier.
Where to stay: questions
What is the best area to stay in Koh Phi Phi?
Tonsai Village for first-timers and convenience, Loh Dalum Bay for nightlife, Long Beach for swimming and quiet, and Laem Tong or Loh Bagao for luxury resort stays.
Should I stay on Phi Phi or do a day trip from Phuket?
A day trip shows you Maya Bay and the lagoons, but you share them with the crowds. Staying overnight lets you see the beaches early and late, hike to the viewpoint for sunset and enjoy the island after the day boats leave.
Can you stay on Phi Phi Leh?
No. Phi Phi Leh, home of Maya Bay, is part of a national park and has no accommodation. All hotels are on Phi Phi Don.
Where to stay on Phi Phi with kids?
Families usually prefer the larger resorts in Loh Bagao and Laem Tong, which have pools, calm beaches and space away from the nightlife in Tonsai and Loh Dalum.