279 Moo. 7 Ao-Nang Maung Krabi, Ton Sai Bay, Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand | (888) 989-6591
Fantastic location at the end of Tonsai Bay, beneath limestone cliffs
Away from town, but within easy walking distance
Rooftop infinity pool and pool deck overlooking the bay
Huge (775 square feet) rooms with AC, minibars, and microwaves
Most rooms have bay views, and some have direct pool access
Free breakfast included in the rates
Free Wi-Fi in rooms and throughout resort
Beach and pool get limited sunlight
Reportedly mediocre breakfast; no lunch or dinner service
Common areas feel quite dated
Fitness center is tiny, and there is no spa
The westernmost hotel on Tonsai Bay, Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort has a fantastic beachfront location away from the noise of town. The property capitalizes on its beautiful bay views with a rooftop infinity pool and pool deck, and rooms that mostly face the water. All rooms are a generous 775 square feet, and come equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. There’s a small beach, though its location under the cliffs means limited direct sunlight. Free breakfast is served in the restaurant, but there is no spa and the on-site gym is paltry. As an alternative, PP Princess Resort is a similar property with a bigger beach, but smaller rooms.
Scene
A quiet beach hotel that seems older than it is
Built on Tonsai Bay's westernmost end, this mid-range hotel offers a peaceful pocket at the very edge of town. A paved path leads from Tonsai's pier to the resort, and along the way, the frenzied commerce of Tonsai thins out. Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort's large boxy building, nestled at the bottom of an enormous limestone cliff, is visible from town and from all points of the path. The fact that the hotel was built in 2010 is something of a surprise, as it looks straight out of the '80s. The exterior and the common areas already seem out of date (the liberal use of an AstroTurf-like floor covering throughout the resort doesn't help), but rooms are modern. Of course, the hotel's stunning location is a double-edged sword. Wild monkeys can be a problem (there have been reports of minibar thefts), and bugs are simply part of the equation (we've repeatedly read of ants on the sun loungers and flies on the breakfast buffet). You'll probably spot mineral buildup on at least one bathroom fixture. Such issues are common in Phi Phi (and on tropical islands in general). However, this hotel's position at the base of steep rock face means that its beach and rooftop pool get limited sunlight.Phi Phi Cliff's dated appearance and other drawbacks are frequent complaints by past guests, but most are satisfied with this property for its large rooms, quiet beach location accessible to town, and stunning views of Tonsai Bay. Guests here are by and large European couples.
Location
Tucked below dramatic limestone cliffs, in the western corner of Tonsai Bay
A 10-minute walk from Tonsai Pier along the water, Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort is the westernmost hotel on Tonsai Bay. The location is within walking distance of the town's bars, restaurants, and shops, but far enough away to be peaceful and mostly quiet, though the music from town can be heard at times. To get to Phi Phi Don, the largest of the Phi Phi islands, travelers fly into either Krabi or Phuket's international airport, then transfer to a public ferry or private speedboat.
Rooms
Multiple room types, all with sofas and balconies or terraces
Though there are seven room categories, all are consistent in terms of size and decor. With an exceptionally roomy 775 square feet of space, rooms are large enough to contain a sitting area with a faux-leather sofa. Their scale makes them seem almost spare, but wood floors and stenciled accent walls lend them subtle Thai character. There are solid amenities that are standard to every room type, including air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and microwaves -- an unusual find for Phi Phi hotel rooms. The majority of Phi Phi Cliff Beach's rooms look out toward the beach and bay. The only exceptions to this are the entry-level Luxury Twin and Luxury Double Rooms. There are shared terraces or balconies between rooms (curbing some guests' sense of privacy). Some have direct access to either the communal infinity rooftop pool or a shared pool on the first floor. Bathrooms are uniformly spacious and modern. All have walk-in rainfall showers and a full set of toiletries. Both bathrobes and hairdryers are provided in all room types. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms.
Features
Three biggies: the bay views, the rooftop pool, and the private beach
Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort's best asset is its location at the end of Tonsai Bay, where it has beautiful views of the water and the town. Knowing this, the hotel wisely built a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the bay. While its views are stunning, they'll need to be enjoyed from the water itself, as there aren't very many sun loungers on hand. (Just four were set out when we visited.) Another setback for many is the fact that the huge cliffs block the sun by mid-afternoon. The same is true for the beach in front of the hotel (where at least there are more loungers). Some guests have complained that the hotel allows daytrippers to access the beach for a fee. Monkeys regularly climb down the cliff and on to the beach, to the delight -- or terror -- of guests. The lobby-level restaurant serves a free breakfast buffet, but by most accounts, it's average and flies are a frequent presence. Lunch and dinner aren't served on the premises. The on-site gym fails to impress, too; one guest described it as "a storage room with a treadmill." Wi-Fi is free throughout Phi Phi Cliff.
