Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island

This is a quiet resort situated on an expansive tropical landscaped estate with direct access to the beach -- yes it's a Holiday Inn, but for the most part the look is bright and breezy. Guests enter a contemporary Thai pavilion with a wood-beam ceiling and some arrangements of hardwood chairs with traditional Thai silhouettes and colorful accents. This kind of understated nod to local style characterizes the atmosphere throughout much of the resort, which is nice enough, but by no means the most charming on Koh Phi Phi. A wooden walkway leads to a palm-tree lined path, with elevated accommodations reached by a quaint wooden bridge. Owing its remote location, there's a good amount to keep guests busy on-site. There’s a family-friendly pool and an adult-only infinity pool with ocean views and a large deck area with an abundance of sun loungers. The beachfront Mongthalay bar offers terrace seating and uninterrupted sea views, with regular disco and movie nights to keep things interesting. With intimate candle lit dining on the beach, couples tend to flock here, but the a kid's’ club, kids' pool, babysitting service, and kids-eat-free program draws plenty of families as well. 

The Holiday Inn Resort is situated on the northeast coastline of Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi Islands, perched on the edge of the immaculate, white-sand Laem Thong Beach. The resort shares the beach with a few other large resorts, and there are a couple of casual restaurants just outside the hotel's gates. Phi Phi Don is a no-car zone, with long-tail boats, public ferries, and speedboats making up the majority of transport options. Scooter rides are available near the resort, but most guests opt to travel into Tonsai -- Phi Phi's main settlement -- by boat. The boat ride takes up to 40 minutes. Travelers should expect a hike in the price for boat trips from Tonsai to the resort after dark.

There are several surrounding islands reachable by boat for day trips, including Mosquito Island and Hin Klang, which are two of the most well-known spots for snorkeling and diving in Thailand. The neighboring Ko Phi Phi Le Island is usually heaving with tourists, and is home to Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon, and Maya Bay, where the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" was filmed. Public ferries to the mainland depart from Tonsai Pier. Trips to the piers near Krabi town and Phuket town take 90 minutes to two hours. Travelers should budget an additional 30 to 45 minutes to reach the Phuket or Krabi Airports from those town's respective piers. 

The 126 rooms at the Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island resort include 79 bungalows and 47 modern studios. Propped up on stilts, all share a uniform chain style that is modern and bright, but the amount of wear on some of the wood veneer furniture in the rooms is disappointing. Rooms lack the same local charm of many of the resorts on Phi Phi, but there are a few accents that incorporate a bit of Thai style, including dark wood floors and gold-and-black wall art with lotus motifs. Guests can choose from Bungalows, which can accommodate up to three adults (cribs are available on request), or Studios tailored for couples. Views vary and include garden or sea vantages from private wooden terraces -- some rooms have beachfront locales. Bathrooms are done in somewhat dated peach tiling and include rainfall showers plus spacious marble vanities and vessel sinks. We did spot some mildew in the shower corners, and some Studio Rooms have outdoor showers but no bathtubs. All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. Thoughtful extras especially tailored to the tropical island locale include umbrellas and flashlights.

Located on serene Laem Thong Beach, the Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island has two pools, both with whirlpools. One has a shallow area built for kids, and the other is exclusively for adults. There are three restaurants, including a top-story buffet-style venue, with spectacular views of the Andaman Sea, where breakfast is served daily, though it's not included with room rates. There are also two bar areas, with the beachfront Mongthalay bar hosting movie and disco nights, along with other entertainment. A small gym has weight and cardio machines, and the resort can arrange spa and massage treatments. Family-friendly amenities include a kids' club, game room, a babysitting service, and a kids-eat-for-free program. The resort reception desk operates 24 hours a day, and will arrange airport transfers and tours. A store selling sundries and souvenirs is also available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.