Paradise Pearl Bungalow

Getting around means taking a boat taxi for all transport to and from the hotel, and there isn’t much of a place to walk. But with that beach view, you’ll just want to lie there and do nothing. Being in a room by the beach is a great experience, and the view and friendliness of the staff are amazing. This was the standout property of our stay and felt like a five-star place. The only drawback was being able to get a late checkout.

The beach and scenery are beautiful, but I’d tell people to stay elsewhere. Across all the countries I’ve visited, I’ve never felt so unwelcome. It felt like a waste of money and of a beautiful location. The hotel is very dated and poorly maintained. Our room was disgusting, with dust everywhere and stains on the walls that I couldn’t identify. The bathroom was worse: the sink leaked so much there was always a puddle on the floor, the toilet smelled foul, and the shower had separate hot and cold taps. The bathroom window wouldn’t close, and the air conditioner dripped water onto the floor inside the room. The staff were the worst part. Nobody greeted or smiled at us from breakfast through dinner, and they made us feel like a huge burden. When we ordered food, the waitress would stand silently by the table until we spoke, then walk away without a word. It seemed clear to me that the employees despised tourists. As an animal lover, I was also sad to see them treating the local cats poorly. We knew beforehand that the hotel could only be reached by boat, for 100 THB per person, or by a 30-minute walk, and we were prepared for that. What we hadn’t expected was the noise. Boats pass several times an hour from early morning until late at night, and they sound like motorcycles racing right below your window. The walking path is also badly maintained and means climbing over rocks, so it’s impossible with suitcases.

Our bungalow was a minute from the beach, which has been our favourite place to swim in Thailand so far. We didn’t mind the walk into town, and at night we could take a longtail back for 150 per person. There aren’t many restaurant choices on Long Beach, and we weren’t very impressed by the hotel’s food or breakfast. The room and bed felt somewhat dated, and the WiFi was patchy. Still, we enjoyed our two nights at Paradise Pearl. We came on a budget for the beach, and in that respect we weren’t disappointed.

The best thing about this bungalow in Long Beach, Phi Phi, was stepping out to the beach, with lovely views and the sound of the waves right nearby. It was peaceful and relaxing, like a little slice of paradise. The place was very nice, spotless, and incredibly comfortable. We had a wonderful stay, would gladly return, and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Phi Phi.