Golden Hill Bungalows

The room had a few good basics: the fan worked, the floors and pool were clean, and the showers were cold and refreshing. At 300BHT/night, having a pool made the price feel reasonable. It’s about five minutes from downtown, and the WiFi is weak. Housekeeping didn’t come, though fresh towels would have been nice. The bed was old, the room smelled, and the pool loungers and view weren’t great. The door locks need upgrading; there’s no lock box, but none of our things were stolen. I’d probably choose somewhere different next time, though it’s fair value if you get a deal.

The rooms looked nothing like the booking site photos and were infested with cockroaches. WiFi was so poor I couldn’t send social media messages, and streaming was out of the question. The staff seemed hostile when we arrived, then wouldn’t explain the power cuts or offer any help or refund. From 0500 to 0900 the room had no electricity, so the fridge and air conditioning were off, leaving warm water and making sleep even harder. The hotel is beside phi phi’s sewage works, and the frogs there made a constant racket at night. A fair amount of 12.5% did seem to help me sleep. There’s also a 5% card payment surcharge, though I understand that’s common in Thailand. This was easily the worst place I stayed during two weeks travelling around Thailand. Maybe the staff were having an off day, but I suspect this is usual. Backpackers should stay elsewhere. If you’re looking for penance or extreme masochism, it’s a bargain.

The room was so cramped I couldn’t even open one bag on the floor, and it was also dark and dirty. The toilet was filthy enough that I was afraid to use it, and the staff were unhelpful and seemed not to care. I knew Phi Phi Island accommodation could be rough and expected little for the cheap price, but this was far worse than I imagined. The location was another problem, up on a hill and far from the beach area. I couldn’t stay, so I canceled the booking and paid a 50% penalty. I then found a guesthouse near the beach for the same price, and it was quiet, clean, and spacious.

The staff were really friendly, and the bungalows share a private pool and bar. They’re tucked away in a beautiful secluded spot, with basic but clean facilities and a tidy outdoor perch. It’s a bit far from the beach, though Banana Bar is nearby for great cocktails, and the location works perfectly for phi phi viewpoint.