Paradise Pearl Bungalows

Scenically set on the north end of Phi Phi's beautiful Long Beach, with clear views of Ko Phi Phi Leh, the mid-range Phi Phi Paradise Pearl Resort is all about a laid-back, Thai island experience. A row of big wooden bungalows face the hotel's wonderful stretch of sandy beach, which, unlike many beaches around the island, has an actual drop-off and even some small waves. Guests who aren't splashing around in the hotel's large cordoned-off swimming area are napping on towels, reading under the trees, walking in the surf, or drinking pina coladas from orchid-garnished pineapples at one of the wooden picnic tables set up along the sand. Behind the property's beach restaurant and the bungalows, brick walkways lead to the one- and two-story room buildings. (It's critical to note that these buildings are original to the resort and their rooms are in far poorer condition than the freestanding teak bungalows, which are newer and much more modern. Guests who stay in these rooms are by and large disappointed with at least some aspects of the accommodations, while those who spring on a bungalow are generally pleased.) Near the reception, there are open-air massage pavilions and a minimart selling essentials like insect repellent and snacks. Couples make up the bulk of guests at the Paradise Pearl, followed by families and groups of friends. 

Phi Phi Paradise Pearl Resort is located on the west coast of Ko Phi Phi Don's southeastern peninsula. The beachfront property is surrounded by jungle, with nothing within easy walking distance other than the Long Beach resort to the south. In theory, one could walk north to Tonsai village in about 35 minutes, but that comes with a caveat: The beginning of the path is very steep (steep enough that ropes have been installed), and should not be attempted after dark or heavy rains. If guests trek to town on foot during the day and want to return at night, then a hired long-tail boat is the only safe way back to the resort. (We speak from our own very scary experience.) And packing a flashlight or a headlamp is always a good idea when staying at far-from-town jungle resorts like the Paradise Pearl.To get to Ko Phi Phi Don, travelers can take ferries or speedboats from mainland Krabi (Ao Nang, Railay, or Krabi Town) and from Phuket. These dock at Tonsai Pier, where guests can meet a Phi Phi Paradise Pearl Resort long-tail boat to take them to the resort. This initial boat ride is free, but all subsequent trips cost a fee.

Phi Phi Paradise Pearl Resort offers two very different accommodations: rooms and bungalows. All units come with empty mini-fridges, free Nescafe coffee and Lipton tea, and private porches or balconies. Free bottles of water and towels for the bathroom and beach are replenished daily. Individual air-conditioning units, TVs (tube styles in the rooms, flat-screens in the bungalows), and free safes, drying racks, and two umbrellas can be found in every unit.The rooms (Standard, Superior, and Deluxe) are located in the garden area, farther from the beach and closer to the jungle. All rooms are very large (Standards actually offer the most space -- 467 square feet -- while Superiors are 398 square feet and Deluxe are 436), and some Superior and Deluxe units can sleep three. Standards and Superiors are all located on the ground floor, while Deluxe Rooms are on the second floor. All rooms are older than the bungalows, and in worse condition. The more recently built Bungalows are beautiful teak constructions, many freestanding and with direct sea views. The 444-square-foot Bungalows have elegant wooden floors and walls, intricate hand-carved wall panels, four-poster beds with embroidered pillows, and daybeds. Bungalows have skylit bathrooms and large wooden decks.Rooms, however, have tile floors, pale yellow stucco walls, and cracked decorative carved moldings. Like the bungalows, rooms are furnished with traditional wooden furniture, but the pieces here are much older and often scratched and chipped. In our room, a floor vase was filled with artificial flowers covered in dust, the overhead lamp was filled with bugs, and an unplugged elephant bedside lamp had no nearby outlet. In fact, there was only one extra outlet in the room and it took some work to find, as it was behind the headboard. When we used the outlet to charge our iPhone overnight, we were kept awake by the sound of crackling electricity. Plus, there was an exposed circuit breaker over the door.Room bathrooms are extremely outdated, with linoleum walls and floors (brick and stone prints, respectively) and walk-in showers behind tacky curtains. Few toiletries are provided: there are soap and shampoo pumps on the wall, plus cotton buds and a shower cap. There was no hand soap for the bathroom sink in our room. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms, but we experienced a very slow connection. One last note about our visit: We saw the biggest spider in all our time in Thailand outside of our Paradise Pearl room door, where it had strung a web. Hotel staff swept it away promptly. 

Paradise Pearl's position on the northern corner of Long Beach -- one of the most beautiful beaches in Ko Phi Phi Don -- is far and away its best asset. This is a lovely stretch of beach, with soft white sand, an actual bit of drop off, and small waves curling toward the shore. The hotel has a large area roped off for swimming. From the beach are straight-on views of Ko Phi Phi Leh, to the west. The hotel's beach restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Breakfast is included in the rates, and it includes coffee, tea, juice, fruit, and one item, such as pancakes or pad Thai, from a set menu. Most guests comment on how lovely it is to have breakfast at one of the wooden picnic tables on the beach. Lights strung through the trees make the beach restaurant especially atmospheric at night, and the lack of a bar or late-night drinks here feels like a missed opportunity. (We walked to another Long Beach resort further south, where we purchased drinks and watched their fire dancers.)In open-air, Thai-style massage pavilions, guests can get massages, reflexology, facials, and foot scrubs. There is a minimart near reception selling things like ice cream, chips, crackers, cookies, beer, soda, beach toys, and postcards. The minimart also has an ATM and a post box. Laundry service is available for a fee, but the hotel does not offer an express option (regular turnaround is two days). Guests initial long-tail ride from Tonsai pier to the resort is free, but all subsequent trips incur a small charge. When he is not ferrying other guests, a boat operator is on-site to take people to town. Note that the reception is not open 24 hours a day. A few computers are available, for a fee, at the hotel's internet corner. Wi-Fi is free throughout the Paradise Pearl.