phi phi accommodation questions

Hello everyone

Im off to Thailand in a week and a bit and the only accommodation i haven't booked is phi phi- everyone seems to say you can get it once your on the island. Anyway i have a few places i am considering- wondering if anyone had any opinions on these:

Phitharom Resort

Viking Place Resort

Banyan Villa

Princess resort- is this open again yet?? their website hasn't been updated since last year...

Cabana Hotel.

Are the beaches around Phi Phi Don village really that bad? i want to be able to snorkel and my boyfriend dives. Long beach looks amazing but is there any nightlife there? one friend who is coming with us is probably more interested in that than beaches, so im looking for a kinda middle ground.

Any advice/reviews would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I always reckon Long Beach is a great compromise because it is by far the nicest beach close to or in town, and longtails run into the early hours for people wanting to retrurn from some R&R in town. Long Beach itself has some nice restaurants where you can relax with a drink and talk to other travellers, but no clubs etc. There is good coral and fish life off the eastern end of the beach - look for the commercial snorkelling longtails.

Ton Sai beach is daggy except for the section right down in the far south western corner against the cliffs where the new Cliff Climbing Bungalows is located. It is unexpectedly lovely here and there would be sure to be some coral and sea-life around the headland rocks.
Parallel Loh Dalum beach is much nicer, particularly at high tide. It can look a bit daggy at low tide and is very shallow.

I haven't stayed in any of those places you ask abt, but lots of people stay in town and go out to Long Beach most days for some beaching. The Cliff Climbing Bungalows I mention is a budget backpacker style place.

I have a fair bit more PP info in the link below.

I enjoyed Phi Phi Banyan Villas in June last year. The only downside is that one wing is alongside the alleyway where drunken loud yahoos pass by at 3am in the morning.

The Viking Place was my favorite bungalow in all of Thailand. I will never stay in town again as long as this place is around. Great beach, great staff, and easy access via longtail boat or short 15 minute walk. Splurge for one of the beachfront bungalows.

Im starting to think Long Beach is the better option than in town. colorado JT Viking Place has shared bathrooms? as in one bathroom block for everyone or some other configuration? How far from long beach is it?

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For my money, I don't think Phi Phi Natural Resort in Laem Tong can be beat. There are about a fourth of the people (especially after dark) on this side of the island, the beach is more gorgeous, and there is a dive shop about 100 yards from the hotel. I stayed there back in February and there was hardly a soul around.

cat, Viking is in a small, pretty bay 2 east of Long Beach - maybe 400m as the crow flies. The walk is by a track, steep in some sections, over the headland. No problems unless you are lugging a pack.
Thing is, the dive shop was operating when I walked thru in March, but the bungalows seemed shut down. Maybe colorado stayed some time back? I could be wrong. Maybe google travelfish which does a review and usually has a contact number.

I booked phi phi banyan villa via [http://www.phiphi-isand-hotel.com] small local web site. I paid only 1 night deposit. And the remaining bal. when I arrived. I stayed 5 nights in last May average per night = 16xx enjoyed :)
Some web the price after tax and service is almost 2000. My tips before make a reservation, compare rates at www.wego.com

Enjoyed :)

wow, this is one update of a really old thread!