To Phi Phi or not to Phi Phi, that is the question?

yes, but go to Long Beach away from the crowds. totally chill there. no vehicles! recommend staying at Paradise Pearl Bungalows.

I absolutely loved Phi Phi. It was a bit dirty but I really liked how there was no cars allowed on the island. It was full of tourists partying when I was there and that was not even in high season. The day trip out to Phi Phi Don and surrounding islands was definately worth it. If you want a peaceful vacation with nice beaches I'd recommend Railay Beach. You can get there by boat from Ao Nang or Krabi. I stayed at Ton Sai beach (not to be confused with the Ton Sai beach on Phi Phi) because it had cheaper bungalows since on Railay it was pricier resorts. Lots of rock climbing and chill beach bars here. Then from there you could take a 10 minute long-tail boat to Railay for the day. Both had nice sand beaches!

I agree with previous poster that the only good way to c PP is by a daytrip, so u don't have to put up with the hordes of yobos (someone threatened to beat me up there last year, because I offered him a glass of water, as he looked so out of it). Its sad what happened there really. The food isn't safe at all. The only thing I don't agree with the previous poster about is Tonsai bay on Railay, which is cheap but where the food is just as poisonous as it is on PP. It mighst sound like I'm ranting here, but i know what I'm talkign about, as I live mid-way between the two places, so hear all the stories about tourists rushed off to hospital and airlifted home.

So my advise would be, stay on Railay if u can afford it, if not then in Ao Nang, where the accom is better value and the food is about half the price, plus way way better. I just finished a bowl of Chiang Mai style crispy noodles with 2 chicken legs and a delicious bowl of curry - 40 THB.

U say u r a Koh Yao Noi kind of traveller, so why not stay there for a bit, or have u already done so ? It's gorgeous (bit quiet for a long stay tho').