Krabi, Phi Phi....somewhere else? Early Jan 2013

Hi all, I've got my time in the islands sorted over xmas and new year now but am trying to decide on where to spend the last 5 nights (3-8th Jan). Will be doing Tao, Samui, and Phangan over xmas and nye and was thinking of heading to Phi Phi for the last 5 days but I've heard some very mixed reports about the place.
- Would 5 nights be too much in Phi Phi?
- If so, should I go for a couple nights in Krabi on the way over? I'll more than likely be transferring to Phi Phi via Krabi anyhow.

I'm looking for decent beach, good snorkelling, nightlife, possibly do a few trips to nearby islands or whatever.

I'd really like to go visit the James Bond island and do some sea kayaking whilst I'm out that way but have heard it's much more difficult than taking the same trip from Krabi or Phuket - Is this the case? May just go on this trip if I stay in Krabi.

Looking for bungalow/guesthouse style accommodation in the low to mid range price bracket, but just expensive enough to avoid the sort of rooms that come guaranteed with hoardes of cockroaches ;-)

Basically, after the excesses of new year's eve, I'll be wanting some quiet time for a little bit but not to be beyond the reach of the nightlife if I fancy some fun.

Having booked my accommodation over the xmas and new years period (and what an exhausting experience that turned out to be), I'm thinking of just going with the flow after that and just haggling with a tout or being a walk-in customer. Bearing in mind I'll be there just after New Year's Eve, would I be best advised to book ahead in somewhere like Krabi or Phi Phi or do you reckon I'd be ok just bowling up and looking for a room?

Any advice on the above, esp places to see and stay would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers for all your help so far

Rooms in your preferred price bracket don't usually appear on websites anyway, so just rock up. You might have to stay somewhere not to your liking the first night, and then find another place next morning.

Are 5 days too long for PP?? Who knows - but it does tick all your boxes and island-hopping just for its own sake is just a waste of the time you could be spending in one place doing the things you want to do. Loads of tourists settle into PP island life for 2-3 weeks. Some day-trippers from Phuket wonder what the fuss was about, and can't wait to get back on the boat.

If you just want to chill after NYE as you state, then go to PP and check it out for yourself. Even if the Tonsai pier area is too rowdy for you, you can head further out to quieter areas where you can then also snorkel off the beach. There's inherent danger in listening too much to other people's likes and dislikes - it's all subjective, hey?

If you will stay at Phi Phi , maybe go to Koh Lanta , Koh Ngai, Koh Mook instead.
Or stay at Phuket and take ferry for day trip to Phi Phi , it would be easy. :)

Very true Bangkok Boy, I'm meeting a friend on Ko Phangan for a few days over new years eve so once we've met up I reckon I'll play it by ear for the rest of the trip, it'll be nice not to have a plan for a little bit I think. Better than being tied down to somewhere if I really don't like it.

Rini: I'll have a look at Koh Lanta, Mook, and Ngai, a couple of folks have mentioned them to me in the past too.

Thanks for the advice both of you, if anyone else has any ideas then let's hear 'em.