Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I'd stop trying to choose and find out if they have space first.

I think they got booked up about 9 years ago.

Too many colours for this lifetime...

2

Bring a tent...

Igor The Troll travel blog

3

Was staying at long Beach last week for 4 nights.
Construction still happening at Phi Phi the Beach Resort (between Beach Resort and Phi PHi Hill) but not too obstrusive.

We stayed at the Paradise Resort (beachfront aircon 1400baht).
It was great, we had a grand time.
The front row really is worth it. As close to the beach as you can get.
http://www.paradiseresort.co.th/gallery.htm
No website for Paradise Pearl but it is virtually the same. had breakfast there every morning.

The Beach Resort is the most expensive option and has a nice bar/resturant and pool (trust me you don't need the pool and it is tiny)
The Paradise and Paradise pearl are much better value but not as new.
If you want a nice elevated view try the Phi Phi Hilltop which only opens during high season and has good reviews.

FYI. Definitely go snorkelling round the samll island off Long Beach, definitely hire a longtail to visit Phi Phi ley. we went snorkelling there on our last day and saw a very rare black and white banded sea snake.

4

Yep, the The Beach Resort is several steps up from Paradise Pearl.
Mind you, Paradise Pearl is a real nice place and it's restaurant section on the edge of the beach takes some beating (which PP Hill's elevated restaurant does) and the beachfront bungalows are only (slightly) beaten in closeness to the sand by some of Paradise's.
Food is great and prices are normal budget bungalow level, maybe 30% less than The Beach. But if you stay at The Beach you can eat anywhere.

The Beach's bungalows are gorgeous. But a big caveat - all are built on the hillside giving them great views - and the higher ones involve a serious climb. Check the view from PP Hills restaurant in their website sublink in my second link below (its the second link to PP Hill in the text) - the highest of The Beach's new bungalows are the same height. I noticed they do have golf buggy type vehicles, but I think that is for taking your luggage on arrival and departure- not for everytime you want to go to the beach or restaurant. So unless they can get one of the lower bungalows, the less fit should beware.
There is a fair bit of general info in that second link below on Phi Phi.

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

5

Thanks for all the advice.

Would you say Paradise or Paradise Pearl have nice bungalows of the two then?

I know part of same place but as Pearl doens't have a website it is hard to judge.

I am not that fussed about where I stay but have a fussy bf!

6

It's hard to say. I haven't seen inside Pearl's beachfront bungalows of late - from outide they look roughly equal.
A lot of Pearl's non beachfront bungalows are newish, and so could be better than Paradise's.
In March Pearl was building a big longhouse type thingy beachfront but slighltly elevated right at the western end against the headland - hard to tell whether this was going to be high end accommodation, a new reception area or manager/owner dwelling.

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

7

Oops, should read - "In August Pearl was building a big longhouse ......

Beaches and Islands Info
Wet Season Info
Some Tips on Not Drowning

8

I'm staying at Phi Phi for 6 nights during early January and to my dismay found that the Paradise Resort was already booked out ages ago. The booking company who look after Paradise Resort managed to find us a non-beach front A/C bungalow next door at the Paradise Pearl for 2500B a night instead. Still cheap, but more than what we'd thought we were going to pay at the Paradise Resort. If you haven't booked yet I'd get in fast!