Laem Hin ("stone cape" in Thai) is the headland at the eastern end of Tonsai Bay on Koh Phi Phi, about 10 to 15 minutes' walk from the pier along the beach path that continues towards Long Beach. Behind a small beach and the rocks of the point, the land rises steeply, and the resorts of Laem Hin are built on that slope and along the shore, with terraces looking south across the bay to the cliffs of Phi Phi Leh. East of the point, the next small beach is Hin Khom, and beyond it the path reaches Viking Beach and Long Beach.
On this site the Laem Hin zone takes in the east end of Tonsai Bay from the last lanes of the village to the headland, the hillside above it, and the resorts around Hin Khom. It is the part of the island that sits between the village and the quiet beaches: close enough to walk to dinner, far enough for a night's sleep.
Who should stay in Laem Hin?
Laem Hin suits couples, families and travellers who want a resort with a pool and a sea view, quiet nights and the village within walking distance. It is the natural compromise for a first visit to Koh Phi Phi by anyone who is put off by the noise of Tonsai and Loh Dalum but does not want to depend on long-tail boats, as on Long Beach or the North Coast. Divers and day-trip takers can walk to the pier in the morning; in the evening the restaurants of the village are 10 to 15 minutes away on the beach path, and the walk back leaves the bars behind.
The trade-off is the terrain. Most properties sit on the hillside, reached by steps, and some rooms are a good climb above the reception: travellers with heavy luggage or reduced mobility should check the listing and ask for a lower room. The beach at Laem Hin is small and partly rocky, and like the rest of Tonsai Bay it is tidal; the swimming is pleasant at high tide and better still at Long Beach, a short long-tail ride or walk away.
Resorts and hotels in Laem Hin
The 9 properties listed in this zone are mostly resorts, with a few hotels, and almost all of them carry three stars. They are the island's mid-range core: sea-view rooms, bungalows on the slope, swimming pools with a view of the bay and restaurants on the terraces, at roughly 2,500 to 4,500 THB a night depending on the season and the view, with sea-view rooms in the peak weeks at Christmas and New Year higher. A few properties on the flat, closer to the village, have simpler rooms at lower rates. Each listing states the distance from the pier and whether the rooms are reached by stairs, which is the practical detail that matters most in this zone. Guest reviews here often mention the views, the pools and the quiet, and sometimes the climb.
How do you get to Laem Hin?
From Tonsai pier, turn east along the beach and follow the path past the last shops of the village: Laem Hin is 10 to 15 minutes on foot, on a mostly flat paved path, with steps up to the hillside resorts at the end. There are no cars; porters with push carts carry luggage from the pier for a fee, and several resorts send staff to meet the boat if they know your arrival time. With a lot of luggage, ask the resort whether it can collect you from the pier.
From Laem Hin, the coastal path continues east to Hin Khom, Viking Beach and Long Beach, 10 to 30 minutes on foot over rocks and roots, easier at low tide; a long-tail to Long Beach costs about 100 to 200 THB per person. The viewpoints are reached through the village, about 340 steps from its eastern edge.
What is there to do in Laem Hin?
Laem Hin is a base rather than a destination, and its main attraction is the view: across Tonsai Bay to Phi Phi Leh by day, and over the lights of the bay at night, from a pool or a terrace. The beach below the resorts is good for a swim at high tide and for watching the long-tails come and go.
Everything else is close. The village is 10 to 15 minutes away, with the dive schools, tour desks, market, restaurants and ATMs. Long Beach, with the clearest water on this side of the island and the blacktip reef sharks of Shark Point, is a short walk along the coast or a few minutes by long-tail. Half-day boat trips to Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave leave from Tonsai pier and cost roughly 600 to 1,500 THB per person on a shared long-tail, plus the national park fee of 400 THB per adult, paid in cash; Maya Bay closes from 1 August to 30 September. The viewpoints, reached through the village, give the classic view over the two bays of the isthmus for about 50 THB, plus about 20 THB for Viewpoint 3.
In the evening, Laem Hin is quiet. The resorts have their own restaurants and bars; the fire shows and nightlife of Loh Dalum are 15 to 20 minutes away on foot, and the walk home along the bay is part of the appeal.
Is Laem Hin quiet?
Yes, compared with Tonsai and Loh Dalum. The bars of the village are far enough away that most nights the only sounds are the long-tail engines in the morning and the resorts' own restaurants in the evening; on some nights distant bass from Loh Dalum carries across the island, especially in the dry season. Rooms high on the slope are the quietest and have the best views, and the most steps.
When to stay in Laem Hin
The dry season, from December to April, is the best time: calm seas across Tonsai Bay, clear views to Phi Phi Leh and warm evenings on the terraces. Prices peak at Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, and the sea-view rooms book up early. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings showers and rougher seas, and rates fall; Laem Hin remains a comfortable base in these months, because the pier is within walking distance when boats are delayed or cancelled, and the resorts' pools make up for the grey days on the beach.
