SAii Phi Phi Island Village: An Honest Family Review (Is It Right for Your Crew?)
Hey Destinationz family! Leonie here, continuing the tale of our 24-day Thailand adventure. After an absolutely blissful stay at Pimalai, my husband Milos was sad to leave. But I was determined to explore the famous Phi Phi Island, a name synonymous with Thai paradise. After some research, we booked a 5-night stay at what was rated the best family resort on the island: SAii Phi Phi Island Village.
So, did this popular resort on one of Thailand's most iconic islands live up to the hype? Here’s our honest family take, with all the details you need to decide if it's the right fit for your trip.
The Journey & First Impressions: The Bluest Water in Thailand?
The journey itself was an adventure. We took a cab from Pimalai to a pier on Koh Lanta and then a speedboat to the main pier on Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai Pier). From there, the only way to reach the secluded SAii Resort in Loh Ba Gao Bay is by water. A 15-minute taxi boat (a longtail boat) ride whisked us away from the main hustle and bustle to the resort's bay. The reception team handled all our luggage and boat arrangements seamlessly from the very beginning.
And our first impression upon arrival? Wow. We were greeted by the bluest, most vibrant crystal-clear waters we have ever seen in Thailand – truly absolutely stunning. After a refreshing welcome drink, we found the resort itself had a gentle welcome, but with each day we spent there, we loved this absolutely beautiful place more and more.
Our Bungalow & The "Village" Vibe
After checking in, a buggy took us up to our hotel room, a lovely deluxe garden bungalow. It had a huge, comfortable king size bed and a large kids' bed that easily fit both Sofija and Matija. The private bathroom was spacious, everything was clean, and we had a beautiful terrace looking out onto lush greenery and beautiful gardens. It truly felt connected with nature and its natural surroundings. For our kids, who don't have a TV at home, relaxing in the big comfy bed and watching a show was a fun holiday treat! I would also like to mention that when viewing the website I did not notice a difference between the deluxe garden bungalow and the deluxe garden villa so it is worth checking with the resort if you do decide to book this resort!
The resort is very spacious, and the distance between bungalows is great, giving you a real sense of privacy. It absolutely felt like a small village in the best sense of the word. We loved grabbing the resort's bicycles to cycle to the beach, the various restaurants, and the pools.
Dining at SAii: A Taste of Thailand and Beyond
The food was delicious, like everywhere in Thailand! The resort offers a few great dining spaces:
Api Restaurant & Bar: This is where the main breakfast buffet is held. The buffet breakfast had such a variety of options that even the fussiest eater would be happy, from fresh fruits to live cooking stations.
Ruan Thai Restaurant: For a truly special evening, this restaurant serves incredible, authentic traditional Thai cuisine. It’s a wonderful place to experience delicious meals home style Thai food in a beautiful setting.
Beach House Grill & Chill: Perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner by the sea, offering grilled specialties, fresh seafood, and a few western options like pizza.
Family Fun at SAii (Even Without a Kids Club!)
Now for a moment of real talk! We had chosen SAii partly because we'd heard it had a kids' club. Well, upon arrival, we discovered there wasn't one! Haha, I guess mistakes happen. The only down side for families seeking downtime is the lack of a formal kids club, so there's almost no entertainment in that sense.
But here’s the good news: SAii is still fantastic for families who want to stay active and spend time together as it is truly such a beautiful resort!
Pools & Beach: There was a great kids' fun pool with a slide and a more relaxed lazy pool for everyone. The main beach was a highlight – a pristine white sandy beach perfect for swimming, with almost no rocks and soft sand. The resort provides sand toys, balls, and rackets for kids to use.
Marine Discovery Centre: This place is a true gem! Run by a dedicated team with such genuine passion, the on-site Marine Discovery Centre is amazing for kids. We learned so much about the local marine life, saw baby sharks (nurse sharks) and shark eggs, and even got to learn about their conservation efforts, which was a truly special moment.
Activities: The activity centre / dive centre can help arrange snorkelling trips. You can also enjoy the hotel's paddle board activity or rent kayaks for a very reasonable price. The resort also has a tennis court.
Exploring the Famous Phi Phi Islands: An Honest Take
Of course, you can't stay on Koh Phi Phi without doing an island hopping tour! We hired a private longtail boat for a day of exploration.
Maya Bay: Let me be honest here. It is breathtakingly beautiful, but in my opinion, it can be an overrated experience. To preserve the marine life, swimming is not allowed. You go for 10-15 minutes, snap some photos, and that's it. For us, other places like Hong Island in Krabi offered a more immersive experience.
Monkey Beach & Snorkeling: We did see a few monkeys on Monkey Beach, which was fun! The best part of the tour was when our captain took us to a spot on the eastern side of Phi Phi Don (next to Loh Moo Dee Beach). Milos snorkeled and saw a variety of colorful fish. The kids were a bit scared to go in but had a blast feeding small baby fish from the boat!
Tonsai Village: Our lovely captain dropped us at the main pier for an hour to grab lunch on Tonsai Beach. It’s the busy, bustling heart of Koh Phi Phi. We got caught in a 30-minute tropical downpour, which just added to the adventure!
The Verdict & Our Recommendations for Families
We really enjoyed our stay at SAii Phi Phi Island Village. It was a truly memorable stay defined by natural beautyand warm Thai hospitality.
We recommend SAii Phi Phi Island Village if: you are a family that wants to spend quality, active time together and you prioritize a fantastic secluded beach and pool over a kids' club.
However, if a great kids' club is a non-negotiable for you, and you want some guaranteed adult-only time, Phi Phi Island in general might not be the best fit. For that, we would highly recommend these resorts based on our experiences:
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi: Known for its fantastic kids' facilities.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas: Offers a great kids' club in a more luxurious, tranquil setting.
Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta: While the kids' club itself is basic, the wonderful dedicated team members (like Neela!) and the engaging activities they plan make it a fantastic experience for children.
Finding the right family resort is all about matching the hotel's offerings to your family's specific needs. What's perfect for one family might not be for another.
Ready to plan a family trip to Thailand and need help navigating the options to find the resort that’s truly perfect for YOUR crew? That's what we do best!
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