Tohko Beach Resort

This is not a luxury resort by any stretch of the imagination, but the hotel offers a warm, authentic beach experience with minimal frills. Secluded on its own stretch of immaculate white sand with a reef visible through crystal clear waters, the lobby and restaurant are situated in a stone and bamboo building with a tin roof. Simple wooden tables and plastic chairs sit under Buddhist prayer flags and much of the area is open air. There is a pool table in the restaurant and guests can be found there throughout the day sipping beer or on their computers. There are some plastic tables and chairs on the beach plus a small thatched-roof bar, as well as kayaks and snorkel equipment available to rent. The rest of the property is comprised of the private bungalows stacked up the palm-covered hillside over the beach, and couples or traveling friends make up the bulk of guests here. 

Tohko resort is truly isolated on the eastern coast of the Phi Phi Island, between Leamtong and Tonsai. It is only accessible by local long-tail boat, about a 20-minute ride from Tonsai, the main town on the island with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Boat service can be erratic, and access is not always a sure bet in the evening. Another small resort next door, Rantee Bay, is the only commercial area within walking distance of Tohko, which is otherwise surrounded by ocean on one side and tropical hills on the other. There is a fantastic viewing point of the island along a path that is about a 30-minute hike from the resort. From Tonsai Pier, Phuket and Krabi (home to the nearest airports) are both a two-hour ferry ride away.

The bungalows here are mostly basic and simple, though some are equipped with more modern comforts than others. The most updated options are the stucco bungalows with windows, solid walls, and wood doors. Most of these have air-conditioning units, a mini-fridge, and a TV. For a real taste of rustic, island life, bungalows are available that are made entirely of bamboo with shutter-style windows and bamboo decks. The more solid options have colorful walls or white walls, a bit of local art for color, and beds have hardwood frames. All bungalows have fantastic views of either the beach or the surrounding lush landscape from their spacious, covered decks. Bungalows without air conditioners come with fans and all bungalows have mosquito nets around the beds. Bathrooms are either totally enclosed or partially enclosed, with flushing toilets, running water, and a simple wet-room style shower. Electricity is only available during limited hours in the evening, and guests should be prepared for encounters with lizards and insects, sometimes inside of their rooms -- these are the tropics after all!

Though Tohko is a simple resort for adventurous travelers looking to unplug, there are some solid features here. First and foremost is the beach, which is stunning. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but is most reliable in the lobby and restaurant area, though electricity is only available during limited hours. The full-service restaurant serves tasty and affordable local and western dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a pool table that has seen better days in the restaurant and a thatched hut bar on the beach serving beer, wine, and cocktails all afternoon and evening. Kayaks and water sports gear are available to rent and shuttle service to and from the resort is available daily for an extra fee, though timing can be unreliable.