The Cove Phi Phi, Ko Phi Phi

This was a beautiful stay and had the friendliest guest service in all of south Thailand. Just be aware that the ocean can be a brutal mistress if you’re not used to sleeping by her. But overall so breathtakingly beautiful. Great place to really unwind and do nothing. There was a waiter (I think his name was Am?) who was very cheerful and helpful. He was very respectful and even helped my wife with her sea sickness by making her an herbal remedy. Thankyou!

There’s little to do on this side of the island so I would suggest staying here for 2 nights max. You can hang out on the beach and snorkel, while eating every meal at the resort restaurant. That’s the only place to eat there. We booked one of the nicer, larger rooms at the resort but the AC isn’t powerful enough to keep it cool during the day. So we had to spend our time outside. There also aren’t TVs in the rooms. Alternatively, be prepared to take day trips out to the main town (Tonsai) or other islands. Each boat ride is 200 baht per person each way. The area is beautiful and the staff is amazing. It can just get tired quick when the rooms are too miserable to relax in and there’s limited to do without paying extra.

This hotel was the most expensive one of our entire trip and it has obviously seen better days. From piles of garbage and detritus that litter the grounds, to the unkempt look of everything from the restaurant to the landscaping, this was a huge disappointment. No question that the beach setting is stunning. But the deferred maintenance is evident everywhere. The staff at the front desk was surly and rather unwelcoming compared to our other Thailand hotels. The photos online are not really representative of the hotel's condition. Even the current manager said the 5 partners from Bangkok who own it can't keep it in decent condition. The wait staff and manager were friendly and helpful, but they obviously had their hands full, trying to make the best of a situation that needs more money to maintain it. WiFi barely worked anywhere. NO amenities, not even a bar of soap on the bathroom sink. Expensive to get into town by boat alone.

The resort's location is breathtaking. The beach is clean and beautiful (though very rocky). Fantastic sunrise view. However, we did not feel that at the price we paid we received adequate value. We booked the garden cliff house and the way to it was very uncomfortable. It is located up a steep hill. The balcony should have looked out to the cove but it was not. In addition, the room was dirty, little worms on the walls, the toilet was with a remnant of shit and there was bad smell. We asked to change room and the staff offered us the bamboo room on the beach - was much better but the rooms are of a fairly low standard - reflecting a 3 star resort but not the price we paid. The food served at the restaurant was not very tasty (but not so bad) and it was also expensive in relation to what we got. Breakfast is poor - no vegetables and cheese at all and for normal cappuccino they charge money. The toaster that was the most attractive thing about breakfast was rusty and wrinkled. The omelette was good. The resort is isolated from the center and therefore you will depend on the resort's boats that depart at very specific hours and at a frequency that is not satisfactory to our opinion. You will pay 200 baht per person for a ride to the main port and if you dont catch the last ride back to the resort you will pay much more. Return to the resort is not guaranteed due to the wind and waves. Not sure if prices have jump b ecause of the new year - but it was just overpriced!

Reading other peoples reviews of this hotel made me nervous, but I really needn't have been. Upon arriving on the island from the speedboat, there was someone waiting for us on the pier with the sign for the cove (A professionally produced one. Please don't be persuaded by one of the scammers on the pier) The longtail boat took us round for free (there is no cost for the longtail transfer at check in and check out) Arriving at the hotel, there were people to meet us and help with the bags, and then a welcome drink and check in. All a very simple and friendly process. We had a beachfront bamboo hut (number B03), and it was very clean (as clean as a bamboo hut can be), and no bugs at all, as other reviewers have said. The beachfront position was fantastic, however, it can be quite noisy at night in these with the longtail boats passing by. The bed was firm but comfortable enough, and actually helped fix my back after a bed that was too soft for the previous few nights. The food at the hotel was fantastic. We couldnt fault it, as long as you stuck to the local Thai dishes. The drinks were pretty good too, and not overly expensive. Certainly less than expected from the reviews. 60 Baht for a beer and 200 baht for a cocktail. The hotel had that personal touch where the people there actually cared about you enjoying that, and I really liked that even after spending the previous few nights in a suite in a 5 star hotel.