SAii Phi Phi Island Village, Koh Phi Phi

Loh Ba Khao Bay

Upon arriving at SAii Phi Phi Island Village, access to the soft sand depends on the tide. We arrived at low tide and had to transfer into a small blue boat about a hundred yards from the resort. Two friendly staff pushed us to the beach, offering a new mode of transport. After a few minutes, we reached the shore, greeted by a lady who took us to the lobby. The lively welcome music from a band added to the experience.

Check-in happens in a pleasant open area with comfortable benches, where guests receive a virgin piña colada and hand-cleaning cloth. Check-in is quick after providing personal info. You then download an app linked to your room number, which organizes everything from room service to food orders. We found it very useful! More details will follow. Additionally, guests are invited to the Gift Shop next to the lobby, featuring the M.I.Y. Lab where you can mix your own scents for bathroom products. We tried coconut and orange and considered coffee for next time.

Deluxe Seaview Bungalow bij SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort

At SAii Phi Phi Island Village Resort, we enjoyed the Deluxe Seaview Bungalow, which was a fantastic experience! The bungalow had a soft bed, a spacious wardrobe, and 59 square meters of space with all we needed: a safe, mini fridge, television, terrace, and fast Wi-Fi. The sofa provided ample space for two adults and a small child.

The bathroom

The bathroom was truly stunning! It had a spacious shower that you could close off, and the toilet was on the other side of the clean bathroom, behind its own door. In the middle, there were two sinks, perfect for all your beauty products. They also had handy items like toothbrushes and DIY products available.

The Terrace

The terrace of the Deluxe Seaview Bungalow was fantastic! It had two sections with a partial view of the sea. Next to the bungalow, there was a small terrace, and a few steps led up to the larger terrace, which featured two comfy loungers and a big table with chairs. It was the perfect spot for a romantic breakfast or to kick back with a cocktail on the loungers. Overall, our stay in the Deluxe Seaview Bungalow was truly a treat.

More luxury bungalows

SAii Phi Phi Island Village offers a range of accommodations beyond the Deluxe Seaview Bungalows for an enjoyable stay. The budget-friendly Superior Garden Bungalow is slightly farther from the beach but still a lovely choice, featuring 45 m² with a sleeping area, bathroom, and small terrace—perfect for couples.

If you need more space, the Deluxe Garden Bungalow offers 50 m² of comfort. Families can opt for the 2 Bedroom Family Bungalow, which spans 102 m² and overlooks the resort’s tropical garden.

For those seeking luxury, the Deluxe Premium Bungalow is 59 m² and boasts a spacious terrace. The Beachfront Junior Suite is just twenty meters from the beach and provides stunning coastal views, ideal for waking up to the sound of the sea.

All bungalows and villas come equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, a tea and coffee maker, a minibar, and a safe. For detailed specifications, check out Booking.com or Agoda.

If you’re looking for privacy and beautiful views, consider the Oceanview Hillside Pool Villa (125 m²) with a large bed and two sofa beds or the 2 Bedroom Oceanview Hillside Pool Villa (150 m²). These villas are set on the hillside near the resort and are a short shuttle ride from the lobby and restaurants. Perfect for a quiet getaway or honeymoon, they offer a relaxing retreat with private pools.

The Love Tree and Love Bridge

As a newly engaged couple, we really appreciated the presence of a Love Tree and Love Bridge on the grounds. A lock can be hung on the bridge railing to symbolize eternal love for one another. However, the Love Tree seemed like a more appealing option to us. At the gift shop, you can buy a silver leaf on which you can write a message with a marker. You then hang the silver leaf together in the Love Tree opposite the Api Restaurant. In a few years, we will definitely visit the Love Tree again to see if our Thailand Magazine is still hanging there—what a great excuse!

Fun Pool & Lazy Pool

SAii Phi Phi Island Village has two pools: the Fun Pool and the Lazy Pool. The Fun Pool, with a bar, is near the hillside below the Hillside Pool Villas, while the Lazy Pool is by the fitness center and Marine Discovery Centre. We spent most of our time at the Fun Pool since it was closer to our bungalow and more enjoyable. It’s spacious, playful, and has a maximum depth of 1.6 meters, along with a jacuzzi and waterslide. The area covers over 1,000 m² with sunbeds, tables, and umbrellas—truly fabulous! We even enjoyed a luxurious lunch on our sunbeds, ordering from Mr. Tomyam restaurant via the SAii app, which arrived in half an hour.

The Lazy Pool, with a depth of 1.9 meters and just under 40 m², is quieter and perfect for relaxation. We regret not taking a dip, as it offers stunning views of the azure sea, and the nearby Api Restaurant ensures you’re never hungry or thirsty.

Feels like a private beach!

Despite the fact that there are no private beaches in Thailand, Loh Ba Khao beach feels like one. Virtually no one else comes to the beach in this bay, resulting in a beautifully stretched 800-meter stretch of beach available only to the lucky few. Surely such a private beach adds an extra dimension to a stay at a resort! Unfortunately, the influence of ebb and flow is very present here, making this not the ideal sea for swimming. There are good moments, but also moments where you have to walk very far into the sea to be able to swim a little.

Location

SAii Phi Phi Island Village is situated on Loh Ba Khao Bay (or Loh Ba Gao Bay) on Koh Phi Phi. The bay features an 800-meter stretch of beach with a stunning blue-green sea. Behind the resort lies Ba Khao Village, a small community primarily inhabited by fishing families and those working in Phi Phi’s tourism industry. This quaint village is perfect for a leisurely walk and offers opportunities for snacks or drinks at local restaurants and bars, but not much more. A river flows through the village, spanned by a bridge, creating a picturesque spot for photos. The road from the bridge eventually leads to Loh Lana Bay, a small beach that, in our opinion, is not worth the effort.

If you continue north, you will eventually arrive at Laem Tong Beach. It is best to reach there by longtail boat. We walked there, but in the Thai heat, this is not recommended. On the south side of the island lies Ton Sai Beach. You can walk here, but this is also not advisable unless you are trekking. Expect a two-hour walk before reaching Ton Sai. The best way to get to SAii on Phi Phi is by boat.

Food & Beverage

The food and drinks at SAii Phi Phi Island Village are incredibly good! The breakfast offers plenty of options for both Western and Asian preferences. Every morning, we woke up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at the Api Restaurant. On the last morning of our stay, we opted for room service, wanting to enjoy a tasty breakfast on our own terrace. One small point of criticism: we did not receive everything we ordered and even received different breakfast items than requested. However, this did not spoil the fun (because we love this SAii resort); it is a point of attention.

Api Restaurant & Bar

Api Restaurant & Bar, located at SAii’s all-day dining venue on Phi Phi, overlooks Loh Ba Kao Bay and is situated near the lobby next to the Lazy Pool. The restaurant operates from 06:30 to 22:00, where we enjoyed a delightful breakfast and some exquisite three-course dinners. Every night, live music is performed at Api by the same musicians who welcomed us upon arrival—this time, not two, but four talented musicians. They are an asset to the resort, playing well together and enhancing the atmosphere.

The appetizers at Api, including soft-shell crab tacos, Thai som tam, and Vietnamese spring rolls, were excellent. For the main course, we enjoyed miso-baked tuna medallions and sirloin steak with crispy fries. A standout was the Moo Hong at lunch, highly recommended! The desserts were from Bean/Co, the resort’s coffee shop.

Bean / Co

Bean/Co is the best public spot in the resort after the Fun Pool. This coffee shop offers comfortable seating, a wide range of (iced) coffee, tasty desserts like brownies and ice cream, and friendly staff. It is open from 06:30 to 22:00.

Mr. Tomyam

Mr. Tomyam, next to the Fun Pool, offered us a tasty lunch and refreshing drinks as we relaxed. The restaurant’s seating areas allowed us to work on our deadline in the shade. Using the SAii App, we quickly enjoyed a sumptuous meal on our beach beds.

What to do at Loh Ba Khao Bay ?

SAii Phi Phi Island Village is a self-contained resort with everything needed for a vacation. The Lèn Forest Spa offers various massages and treatments, but our packed schedule left us no time to enjoy it. Instead, we distributed sweets to schoolchildren at Laem Tong Beach for Christmas, hoping to uplift them after two challenging years since the devastating tsunami in 2004.

Tours and Excursions

You can book great excursions through the resort, like the Shark Seeker Excursion or the Early Bird activity. The Early Bird starts at 7:45 AM and visits four beaches around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, making it perfect for snorkeling while avoiding the crowds from Phuket tours.

Marine Discovery Centre

You can see fish at the Marine Discovery Centre, it offers fun and educational insights into Koh Phi Phi’s sea life. Led by a marine biologist, the centre discusses ecological projects supported by SAii, including coral propagation and native fish breeding programs.

A small river and a little village behind SAii Phi Phi Island Village

Along the resort runs a small waterway leading to the sea, around which mangrove forests grow—nurseries for many species of fish and shellfish. Next to the river is a road that leads to a village. In the village, you will find a few bars and restaurants, as well as several small supermarkets where locals do their shopping. It’s nice to stroll through when you’re a guest at the SAii Phi Phi Island Village resort.

Ecologic + Sustainable

As may already be clear, SAii is aware of the wonderful environment in which this resort is located. Therefore, every effort is made to operate the resort in an ecologically responsible manner. For example, the condensed water from the air conditioners is reused. Additionally, several activities are organized sustainably. Only non-motorized water sports are offered, such as exploring the surroundings by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. It’s a delightful way to discover the mangrove forests behind the resort.