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Hotel in Phi Phi Island

6,031 viewsBy Willy Thuan · Living in Phuket since 1994

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Phi Phi Banyan Villa is a 3-star hotel right in the middle of Tonsai Village on Phi Phi Island. It is named after the large banyan tree at the entrance, said to be over 50 years old. The hotel sits on the south side of the village, across the beach road from Tonsai Bay. Tonsai Pier is a 3-minute walk west along the waterfront. The real standout here is the gym. It has a Muay Thai boxing ring, weight machines, cardio equipment, steam rooms, saunas, a yoga studio, and a juice bar. It is widely considered the best fitness facility on the island, and non-guests pay a fee to use it. Beyond the gym, the hotel offers a pool, a rooftop garden with views, and a beachfront seafood restaurant across the road.

(889 reviews) #7 of 56 hotels in Ko Phi Phi Don

Location

The hotel is on the beach road that runs east from Tonsai Pier along the south bay. Turn right from the pier, walk for about 3 minutes, and you will see the big banyan tree on your left and the Tonsai Seafood restaurant on your right, directly on the beachfront. The location is central. You are steps away from shops, restaurants, dive centres, tour operators, bakeries, laundry services, and everything else you need. Loh Dalum Bay, the main swimming beach and party beach, is about a 4-minute walk north through the village alleys.

Atmosphere

Phi Phi Banyan Villa is a town hotel, not a resort. It is in the middle of Tonsai, so you are surrounded by the village buzz during the day. But because it faces south (Tonsai Bay side) rather than north (Loh Dalum side), it is away from the loudest beach bars and fire shows. The pool area is tucked behind the main building and feels surprisingly calm for such a central location. The rooftop garden with its pagoda and mountain views is a nice spot to sit in the late afternoon. The ovrall feel is practical and well-located rather than luxurious.

About the Rooms

The hotel has 62 rooms split into two wings. The Garden Wing rooms are more modern, with tiled floors and a fresher look. The Banyan Wing rooms have wooden floors and a more traditional feel. Both have air conditioning, flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and a private balcony or terrace facing either the pool or the gardens. Private bathrooms come with a shower. The rooms are not large, but they are functional. The last major renovation was in 2009, so the property is not brand new, but it is generally well-maintained.

Tonsai Seafood

The hotel’s restaurant is Tonsai Seafood, located directly across the beach road on the waterfront. Breakfast is included and served there each morning. For lunch and dinner, the menu focuses on fresh seafood and Thai dishes, with tables right on the sand facing the bay. It is a pleasant spot, especially in the evening. Being in the heart of Tonsai, you also have dozens of independent restaurants within a few minutes’ walk in every direction.

The Gym

This is what sets Phi Phi Banyan Villa apart from every other hotel on the island. The Banyan Fitness Centre is a dedicated, enclosed, air-conditioned building with proper equipment. There are weight machines, free weights, cardio machines, a small Muay Thai boxing ring, and a yoga studio. The gym has floor-to-ceiling windows with views over Tonsai Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Separate locker rooms for men and women include showers, changing areas, a steam room, and an outdoor section with a wood sauna and rainfall showers. There is also a juice and coffee bar inside the fitness centre with protein shakes and computer terminals with free Wi-Fi. Non-guests can pay a fee at reception to use the gym, and many do. If you are someone who wants to keep up a workout routine while on holiday, this is the only proper option on Phi Phi.

What You Can Do

The pool is nicely landscaped with a shallow section and sun loungers. The rooftop garden has flowering plants, a pagoda, and views of the village and the limestone cliffs. The tour desk can arrange longtail boat trips, snorkelling excursions, diving, and day trips to Maya Bay and Bamboo Island. For swimming, walk about 4 minutes through the village to Loh Dalum Bay. The beach directly in front of the hotel is on the harbour side of Tonsai and is not suitable for swimming.

Hotel Summary
Location	Tonsai Bay, central village
Beach	Across road from Tonsai harbour (not a swimming beach). Loh Dalum Bay 4 min walk through village.
Hotel	62 rooms in two wings (Banyan and Garden). Two-storey building. Air conditioning, TV, mini-fridge, balcony throughout. Last renovated 2009.
Facilities	Pool, rooftop garden with views. Best gym on island: boxing ring, weights, cardio, yoga studio, steam rooms, saunas, juice bar. Tour desk.
What’s Around	Tonsai Pier 3 min walk. Shops, restaurants, dive centres, bakeries, laundry all within steps.
Who is it for?	Travellers wanting a central village location with proper gym access. Good for fitness-minded visitors, couples, solo travellers.
Good to Know	Gym requires proper sport shoes (rentable at reception). Breakfast at beachfront Tonsai Seafood restaurant across the road. South-facing, so away from Loh Dalum party noise.