When wondering where to stay on Koh Phi Phi, you have a choice of several areas that differ significantly from one another. The island is known for its lively nightlife, but also for its beautiful beaches.
The sunset here is without a doubt one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The famous beach parties take place on the beach where you experience this sunset; they continue into the early hours and bring with them quite a bit of noise. If you are traveling with children, you will want to avoid these areas.
You can also choose to stay close to the pier if you plan to take multiple-day trips to the surrounding islands, including the famous Maya Bay.
Day trips from Phuket and Krabi have the disadvantage that you often visit Maya Bay later in the day, when it is extremely busy.
From Koh Phi Phi, you can leave early and thus avoid the biggest crowds.
These kinds of considerations all play a role in choosing the right location… and I will go into this in detail below.
The best areas to stay on Koh Phi Phi are East Phi Phi Bay, Chaokoh Road, Loh Dalum, and Ton Sai Beach.
The central part of the island is busy and chaotic, mainly due to the large influx of day-trippers and the lively nightlife.
That is why my personal preference is to stay around East Phi Phi Bay.
Here you have excellent access to beautiful beaches such as Viking Beach and Long Beach, enjoy spectacular views, and are still within walking distance of the center (without the associated nuisance).
Ultimately, the best choice naturally depends on what you are looking for.
Chaokoh Road is the place for hostels and nightlife, ideal for young travelers who want to meet other backpackers.
Loh Dalum is known for its beach parties, but is also a nice place to enjoy the beach during the day and beautiful sunsets in the evening.
Finally, Ton Sai Beach is a good option, provided you stay a little further from the pier. Especially in the western part, you can find relatively quiet accommodations while still being close to all facilities and the center.
You can easily navigate to any area by tapping the link. Or go directly to the summary of the best areas to stay on Koh Phi Phi.
Personally, I would choose to stay on the east side of Koh Phi Phi Bay, along Ton Sai Beach Road.
Specifically, this means: a hotel in front of Viking Beach and Long Beach.
You will then have excellent access to these quiet beaches on the east side of the island.
The view over the bay here is beautiful, and you have sun almost all day long.
Swimming at Ao Ton Sai Pier is not ideal, but Viking Beach and Long Beach are perfect for that.
This part of Koh Phi Phi is just a bit quieter than the other popular areas.
If you do want to explore the nightlife, you can easily walk to Chaokoh Road.
Here you will find a number of legendary bars, including the famous Reggae Bar, where a boxing ring stands in the middle of the bar.
Both Thais and tourists can step into the ring here… and participants often receive a free bucket of hard liquor.
That regularly leads to hilarious scenes.
Around this bar, you will find plenty of other places to go out and meet fellow travelers.
Do keep in mind, however, that this area can be noisy. The good thing is that East Phi Phi Bay is hardly affected by this.
The closer you get to the pier, the more facilities you will encounter: pharmacies, first aid posts, tour operators, restaurants, and cafes.
At the same time, that is also immediately the biggest downside of Koh Phi Phi: the enormous influx of day-trippers.
Around lunchtime, boats from Phuket and Krabi dock, and the large buffet restaurants fill up.
Fortunately, you notice this much less in the eastern part of the bay… and not at all on Viking Beach and Long Beach.
That is why I recommend staying as far east as possible, while still being within walking distance of the center.
As far as I am concerned, this is simply the best place to stay on Koh Phi Phi.
There are also plenty of options here for budget travelers, particularly the guesthouses behind the main street.
Koh Phi Phi attracts many young travelers looking for a social atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife.
Chaokoh Road is the place where everything comes together. Here you will find many budget-friendly accommodations, including popular hostels.
If you are looking for peace and quiet or are traveling with children, this area is less suitable.
But if you want to party and meet people, this is the perfect place.
You have bars, restaurants, and shops literally around the corner.
For those who still have energy left: climb the famous stairs to the viewpoints (Viewpoint 1, 2, and 3).
The climb is short but steep, and absolutely worth it, especially around sunset.
The entrance fee is approximately 50 THB, as it is private property and is well-maintained.
A major advantage of staying on Chaokoh Road is its central location.
You are close to the beaches, the nightlife, and Loh Dalum Beach, where you can watch the sunset. During the day it is busy here, but less extreme than at Ton Sai.
In the evening, the area really comes to life, with DJs and live music until deep into the night.
If you want to fully enjoy Koh Phi Phi’s nightlife, Chaokoh Road is the place you are looking for.
If you are not into going out, make sure you do not stay in the area.
Loh Dalum is the central beach on the north side of Koh Phi Phi and one of the few places where you can swim well.
The quality of the beach is reasonable, although beaches like Viking Beach and Long Beach are clearly more beautiful.
The sea here is very shallow at the beginning.
When the tide goes out… usually later in the evening, the water recedes far back.
What remains is a sandy expanse with shells, holes, and irregularities.
Not the most beautiful view, certainly compared to the rest of the bay.
Nevertheless, Loh Dalum has something special.
A unique atmosphere emerges towards sunset.
Bars like Slinky Bar and Freedom Bar then prepare for the beach parties, including fire shows.
The Ibiza Pool Party is also a well-known attraction.
If you love partying, this is also an excellent place to stay. Do keep in mind that it remains noisy here until late at night.
Therefore, always check accommodation reviews carefully.
If you want a bit more peace and quiet, choose a hotel a little further away or towards the east.
Please note: accommodations higher up in the mountains often mean climbing a lot of stairs.
On the west side of Loh Dalum, there are also a number of resorts directly on the beach, where you will be less bothered by the party noise.
These are a bit more expensive, but are among the best options on the island.
Finally, you can choose to stay at Ton Sai Beach.
During the day, this is the busiest part of the island, especially around Ao Ton Sai Pier.
Between approximately 12:00 and 15:00, most boats from Phuket and Krabi arrive here, causing significant crowds.
Interestingly, it actually gets quieter here in the evening, as the nightlife mainly shifts towards Loh Dalum.
The western part of Ton Sai Beach, in particular, offers beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Despite the crowds during the day, this makes it a great option for couples and families who want a central location but have no desire to party until deep into the night.
Ton Sai Beach is actually a good alternative to East Phi Phi Bay (which is always my preference).
But absolutely do not stay right by the pier: it feels incredibly chaotic and commercial. You will do yourself a huge favor by staying a little further away from the pier.