Phi Phi Island Hotels in Loh Bagao

I stayed in the Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa in the unlikely month of June, the height of the monsoon season in Southern Thailand. But as I arrived at Rasada Pier to take the Sea Angel ferry to Phi Phi Don I realized that the conditions on the sea were perfect, no wind, no wave, no cloud and brilliant sun. It had rained a week and a half ago and so the views across the bay went on for miles....

On arriving at Phi Phi Pier I disembarked and set off cross country to Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa at Loh Bagao bay. The resort provides their fast 12 minute, comfortable speedboat service from the pier but I have done this so many times and the weather was so perfect I went for the hot and sweaty option. The walk was hard on good trails and took 1 hour 15 minutes which I enjoyed immensely as it took in the View Point and the New (since the Tsunami)) "Top View Point" which has view both to Tonsai Village and Krabi to the east.

Arriving at the Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa

On arrival I was escorted by the golf buggy to my room to shower and cool down after my excursions. The Superior Room was beautifully made out with fresh flowers on the bed and every where I looked. This is obviously one of the features of this hotel as almost every area is adorned with brightly coloured red Chaba and white Orchids. My cousin enjoyed his honeymoon here and the pictures of the flowers on his bed for their arrival was something to behold and left a lasting impression with them.

The room had everything needed of a 4-5 star resort, copious towels of every size, scents, soaps and perfumes, well stocked mini bars, kettle for tea and coffee, 3 liters of drinking water, strong and controllable air-conditioning, slippers and dressing gowns. The TV has BBC news, History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Star Movies, HBO, Cine Max, Star Sports (note to kids; no cartoon channel). The balcony was large about 12-14 m2 and had two comfortable day beds.

The Room types at the Phi Phi Island Village Resort and Spa are pretty Bungalow Cottage style on stilts with a pleasing Southern Thai Roof design all set in rows. The beachfront cottages are set back from the high tide point by a 20 m coconut tree covered lawn. These rooms have superb views of Krabi province islands and Phrang Nga hills and also come with a small connected sala (a roofed area) that extends from the balcony. Fully fitted out with the facilities above they also have personnel safes and come with the option of taking breakfast in the room. (All other rooms enjoy breakfasts at the Dolphin Restaurant.)

Immediately behind the beachfront room category are the Deluxe Rooms and then the third fourth and fifth rows back from the sea front are the superior room type.

On meeting Khun Phansak, the general manager of the resort, I got an insight into the philosophy of the resort management. It is "always about service, customer satisfaction" and from the moment I arrived at the resort all the staff were graciously polite and attentive. K Phansak informed that he was in charge of 240 staff that looked after the 104 rooms and that the continual training of staff was key to his success.

In June, which as I mentioned above is the low season, they were 42% occupied which meant that everywhere was quiet but not a ghost town atmosphere like in some resorts. Khun Phansak and I toured the Resort chatting away but the area that really impressed was the area to the south end of the beach. First we entered the Wana Spa which had all the gentle atmosphere I enjoy in Thailand, slow soft music, the smell of soothing aromas and oils, cool shaded views of distant islands. Unfortunately I wasn't being offered a Spa package otherwise I would have like to stayed an hour or two and unwind.

Next we moved on to the Thai Ruan Restaurant overlooking the pool beach and Krabi Province. The setting was delightful, the building a stylish dramatic, somewhat formal Thai Ayudhya style wooden structure with Buddhas and artifacts from bygone eras. Peaceful amongst the foothills of the local hills, birds twittering, waiters and waitresses silently moving around in their traditional silk dress. Again I wasn't offered a meal as we had to move on again to the prize in the resorts facilities, the Phi Phi Island Villas.

Wana Spa

Just to the side of the Wana Spa but above the Thai Ruan Restaurant overlooking the Loh Bagao Bay the pool villas are a retreat and the best rooms I have seen on the Phi Phi Island. Entering from a stylish door way of bamboo and wood you descend to the central out door seated area dominated by a huge suspended rocking chair that over looks the pool and the sea. Descending towards the main building area you arrive at the main living area equipped with day bed, dining table, TV and a kitchenette with toaster, coffee maker and microwave. Moving out through the bay windows the Jacuzzi pool awaits. Crossing the stepping stones to the decking area you find the out door loungers to enjoy an evening cocktail or watch the stars at night. At the moment there are only 4 of these villa properties so it would be smart to book well ahead as quality such as this is difficult to find in the islands in the Andaman sea.

Probably the key impression the Phi Phi Island Village Resort And Spa made on me was that this was one of the worlds leading locations for romance. The detail, the flowers, the serenading band during dinner, private meals set up on the beach, the space, the quiet, the stars the coconut trees, it all made the perfect honeymoon setting or place to go with the one you love.

I have always strongly recommended this resort and after this last visit I have only reaffirmed my view. The Phi Phi Island Village and Spa and Resort is excellent value for money.