Phi Phi Bayview & Premier Resort

The place looked abandoned and badly in need of renovation. The pool was completely green one day, and nothing seemed to get cleaned or swept. Beach towels smelled awful, had holes, and looked disgusting. At breakfast, the plates and tables were dirty, the furniture was old, and the whole area felt neglected and unhygienic. Eating there felt unpleasant and unsafe. Our room was next to literal trash and had a strong, unbearable odor. It was filthy when we arrived, with dirty sheets and brown, bad-smelling towels that were never changed. The balcony door didn't lock properly, which we reported right away, but it was never fixed. Anyone could have broken in, and there was no in-room safe. We asked for one several times and never got one, so we felt extremely unsafe. We asked to move, but staff said there were no other rooms. They kept promising to clean and fix things, but nothing happened. Reception was almost impossible to reach on WhatsApp. The staff were rude, dismissive, and unhelpful, making empty promises and taking no responsibility. This was the worst hotel stay we've had. We'd never recommend it. Avoid this hotel at all costs.

The location was a real problem. It's about a 30-minute walk from the pier, and the rooms are a long way from reception too. Going back and forth felt more like a trek than a relaxing holiday. If you're visiting Phi Phi Island, I'd stay near the pier, since the market and everything else involve long walks from here. The transfer arrangements were frustrating. Checkout is at 11:00 AM, but boats leave at 8:00, 10:00, and then around 12:30 PM, so checking out at 11:00 left us waiting with our luggage for 1.5 hours. There's a three-hour gap between checkout and the 2:00 PM check-in, yet they couldn't arrange a convenient departure transfer. I also waited 1.5 hours in the ferry waiting area. When I asked at reception, they falsely said the ferry had already left. They refused to show camera footage when I asked for proof, because they were lying. I waited almost 2 hours and wasted 2.5 hours altogether because of their dishonest, unprofessional behavior. I'd read bad reviews and ignored them, thinking it couldn't be that bad. In the end, everything felt wrong. I strongly suspect many of the 5-star reviews are paid or fake, since they don't match reality. Don't book here if you want a comfortable, stress-free vacation. You'll regret it.

The room was clean and a good size for two, with strong shower pressure. Housekeeping did a great job. There were some stairs up to our Superior Garden Villa, but they were manageable. The smart TV and internet worked well enough for YouTube and Netflix, though the connection wasn't very fast. We stayed five nights over Christmas at Phi Phi Bayview Resort, booked through Agoda, and everything went smoothly. Staff picked us up at the pier and took us to the hotel by long tail boat. The resort is at the end of the beach in a quieter spot, with a beautiful, less crowded beach in front. Viking Beach and Long Beach are nearby, and it's still only about a 15-minute walk to the main street and pier. It was worth the money, and I'd stay again. The only downside was loud noise from newly checked-in guests around 2 a.m. on our last night.

I had a magical two days here and can't wait to return. The resort sits up the hill at the quiet end of Tonsai, with sweeping views of the incredible beach below. The staff are friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful. There was a mixup with my room, and Leo was so kind about sorting it out. The place is stunning.