We review SAii Phi Phi Island Village, Thailand’s hidden luxury haven not far from Phuket

Koh Phi Phi may be one of Thailand’s most famous backpacker havens, known for its lively party scene, buckets of cheap booze, and budget-friendly hostels. But on the other side of the vibrant island lies a whole different world. One of only two five-star hotels on the island, SAii Phi Phi Island Village is a luxurious, eco-friendly tropical resort located on an 800-metre secluded private beach along the pristine Loh Ba Gao Bay. With a mix of traditional thatched-roof Thai bungalows and hillside pool villas, it forms its own little village, as the name suggests, surrounded by lush tropical greenery and the Andaman Sea. Just an hour from Phuket, this is luxury Phi Phi at its finest.

While this stay was hosted, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We review SAii Phi Phi Island Village

Hotel snapshot

Hotel: SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Address: 49 Moo 8, Loh Ba Gao Bay, Koh Phi Phi Don, Ao Nang, Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Number of rooms: 189 traditional Thai-style bungalows and 12 Hillside Pool Villas
Brand: SAii Resorts
Year opened: 2012 (extensive renovations completed in 2018)
Style: Eco-friendly, five-star beachfront resort blending traditional Thai architecture with barefoot luxury and tropical seclusion
Best for: Couples, honeymooners, luxury travellers seeking privacy, nature lovers, and those wanting to experience Phi Phi away from the crowds
Family amenities: Family-friendly bungalows, kids’ pool, children’s menu, and babysitting services (on request)
Wellness facilities: SAii Spa (traditional Thai massages, saunas, steam rooms), fitness centre, indoor jogging track, outdoor tennis courts, yoga and wellness programmes
Prices starting from: THB 7,000 (approx. £160) per night, depending on room and season
Getting there: The hotel offers collection from Phuket hotels and private boat transfer directly to the property.

The other side of Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi has long had a reputation for wild late-night beach parties, backpackers on their gap years, and hordes of dreaded day-trippers. That said, there’s a certain magic to the island. It can be a little rough around the edges, but it has that quintessential barefoot beach bar vibe – not to mention it’s literally one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. So much so that this was my tenth visit.

So when I arrived at SAii Phi Phi, I was shocked, to say the least. The resort sits on an entirely different side of the island, away from the town and tourist spots, practically isolated. And when I say isolated, reaching the town requires a 1.5-hour hike or a 30-minute boat ride. Of course, the island has no cars.

The reality is: if you’re looking for the famous sights and sounds of Phi Phi, this is not it. SAii is for those who want the beauty of Krabi and the surrounding islands, but away from the tourist traps and, well, tourists.

For a taste of local life, there’s a tiny one-street village directly behind the hotel where you’ll find all the Thai staples: restaurants, a massage parlour, a convenience store, a weed shop, and a handful of bars. I highly recommend The Beach Bar Phi Phi, owned and operated by the lovely young Deep, who was born and raised on the island, for a truly welcoming and laid-back drink or three.

Beach bungalow living

Back at the hotel, the property consists of 189 traditional Thai-style bungalows and 12 exclusive Hillside Pool Villas, forming its own little village. I stayed in a Deluxe Premium Bungalow, with rich wooden facades and traditional thatched roofs giving it an authentic tropical beach feel – rustic, yet refined. All rooms include modern amenities like smart TVs, Nespresso machines, and spacious terraces.

This felt like the epitome of beach bungalow living. Because the land is flat, I didn’t have a sea view, but I was literally a stone’s throw from the water. Instead, the garden views offered lush, tropical vibes, which is perfect for lazy nights on the terrace (if the mosquitoes don’t ruin it). Even within the little village of bungalows, the nights were dead silent, offering the most peaceful, decadent island sleep.

For those who prefer ocean views, the Hillside Pool Villas are located on a rainforest slope overlooking the sea, with one- or two-bedroom options available. Even more secluded than the main resort hub, these villas require a buggy ride to get down the hill.

70 acres of seclusion

SAii Phi Phi Island Village spans 70 acres of lush coconut plantations along an exclusive 800-metre private beach. It has two massive outdoor swimming pools: a lively Fun Pool with a waterslide and swim-up bar, and a quieter Lazy Pool for a more tranquil experience. I preferred the latter, which is less ‘resort’ and more ‘lazy island bliss’.

There’s also the SAii Spa, a hillside wellness spot offering traditional Thai massages, saunas, and steam rooms. In all honesty, I didn’t need a pampering this time, because the whole experience was already soothing enough.

The hotel’s on-site Marine Discovery Centre is an environmental education hub featuring interactive exhibits and a clownfish breeding programme. I’ve never seen so many adorable Nemos in one place. I also took a look at the bamboo shark breeding and release programmes and learned about the amazing work they do. In this day and age, it’s always impressive when a resort actively repairs and protects its environment.

For sports and fitness, there’s a fully equipped gym, an indoor jogging track, and outdoor tennis courts shaded by palm trees. I, however, opted for the paddleboards and enjoyed the most memorable Sunday afternoon paddle around the local mangroves in the most gorgeous clear turquoise waters, complete with giant water monitor lizards drifting nearby. The entire river disappears in the late afternoon and returns with high tide the next day, which in itself was mind-boggling to see an environment change so drastically and magically.

The resort also hosts various restaurants and bars throughout the property, including Api Restaurant & Bar for all-day beachfront dining and breakfast buffets, Mediterranean-focused Miss Olive Oyl for al fresco beachfront seafood, and Ruan Thai, a traditional hillside venue serving up authentic Thai fine dining.

Maya Bay and beyond

Koh Phi Phi consists of two main islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Koh Phi Phi Don is the main island with the town and hotels, while nearby Koh Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited and restricted paradise home to majestic lagoons, caves, magical snorkelling spots, and, of course, the world-famous Maya Bay.

I first visited Maya Bay in 2011 and try to return every time I’m in the region. It reached international fame after being featured in the 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This postcard-perfect cove, framed by 100-metre limestone cliffs and powdery white sand, operates as a strictly protected ecosystem and is perhaps single-handedly the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever laid eyes on. Following years of over-tourism, steps are finally in place to restore it to its natural beauty. Swimming is now banned to protect the coral, though you can go in ankle-deep for photos.

To explore Maya Bay and the rest of Koh Phi Phi Leh’s natural wonders, SAii guests can easily hire private longtail boats directly from the hotel’s stretch of beach. As it’s private, you can customise your tour, blast music, pop champagne, and soak in the sun at your own pace. For only 2,000-3,000 Baht for approximately four hours, they even supply snorkelling equipment and paddleboards for the ultimate island-hopping experience.

Arrival in style

As most travellers know, reaching Phi Phi usually involves a one-hour speedboat or two-hour ferry from Phuket’s Ratsada Pier to the island’s bustling port. But this isn’t for most travellers. Instead, SAii guests depart from a VIP departure lounge at Phuket Royal Marina and are transported directly to the sands of the hotel lobby – an entirely different experience.

Even better, the hotel arranges transfer pick-ups from Phuket hotels or the airport to the marina, taking every ounce of travel stress out of the experience. I was literally collected from my doorstep in Phuket and effortlessly whisked to a private island paradise in less than two hours. The journey is part of the experience, and it doesn’t get more effortless and exclusive than this.

The verdict

As a Phi Phi regular who has hiked its hills, partied on its beaches, and soaked in its sunsets, I thought I knew the island. But it turns out I was wrong, because SAii Phi Phi Island Village offers something entirely different: actual quiet barefoot luxury in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. This kind of five-star seclusion and exclusivity is indeed less ‘backpacker’ and more ‘billionaire’.

Learn more about SAii Phi Phi Island Village or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia  Book through Agoda

But wait, there’s more…

• Read our guide to nearby Koh Yao Noi
• Discover Phuket’s most relaxing wellness retreats
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