JJ Residence

We had a really enjoyable stay and felt it was well worth the price. The staff were welcoming, the rooms were roomy, and the balcony was lovely. There’s a fridge, kettle, TV and strong air conditioning, plus a large bathroom. The shower is open, which might bother some people, and though it was quite clean there were a few spots in the corners. The pool is a good size for unwinding after island hopping. You’re right in the heart of Phi Phi, close to food and shops, under 10 minutes from the pier and about 15 minutes from the base of Phi Phi Viewpoint 1. Shoes have to come off at the entrance. I liked that and felt the floors were reasonably clean. There are no elevators, though I imagine that’s common in the area. Thanks, I’d happily stay again.

Breakfast choices were limited and the food was average. The restaurant staff’s behavior felt strange, as they seemed to peer over whenever we went to get something. We also arrived late in the evening and waited a long time for the receptionist to give us a room. Most of the staff were women, which is inclusive, but nobody helped carry our bags while we were feeling under the weather.

The building is older and not modern, but it’s reasonably priced and worked well as a place to rest after excursions. The location and value were hard to fault: it’s a short walk from the pier and close to what you need during a stay. Rooms are spacious, with big balconies. The reception ladies were lovely, and the co-owner made us feel welcome and shared useful tips. One thing to know: the shower drain is old-fashioned and wide open. We blocked it with a towel at night to stop anything coming up. If you’ve been in tropical countries, you’ll know what I mean.

We planned three nights but left after just one, and had to pay for the remaining nights because the hotel refused a refund. The room smelled strongly of mold, and we later found countless insects, probably ants, on the floor and in the bathroom. They seemed to come through little holes and gaps in the walls. By morning, water was dripping from the ceiling. The wood there was discolored, so it looked like this may have happened before, perhaps when guests turn off the air conditioning overnight. At check-in, the receptionist was hectic and unfriendly. She rushed to the room before we had put our shoes back on, after we’d been told to take them off in reception. I showed her videos of the insects, but she showed no understanding and blamed the rain, even though it hadn’t rained on the day we arrived. We were relieved to leave. I can’t recommend this place.