Thailand Guide
Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast
Ao Loh Bakao
Far removed from the hustle of Ao Ton Sai and its environs is the beautiful, secluded northern beach of Ao Loh Bakao. The plush, air-conditioned chalets at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa (075 628999, www.ppisland.com ; Price: from B5000) have the 800-metre-long white-sand beach and turquoise waters all to themselves. It's a popular honeymoon spot, and a lovely location for anyone looking for a quiet, comfortable break. The thatched, split-bamboo bungalows are designed in traditional Thai style and furnished with character and elegance. There's a good-sized pool and spa centre, as well as a dive centre and kayak rental. If you tire of these sands, and the hotel restaurants, there's a cluster of reasonably priced local restaurants behind the resort, and you can walk to the long, semi-circular beach at Ao Loh Lanaa, across on the west coast, in ten minutes, or to Laem Tong beach in half an hour.
Access to Ao Loh Bakao is usually by hotel boat from Ao Ton Sai (generally B150–200 per person on arrival but as much as B2000 per boat thereafter) or by chartering your own longtail (about B800 per boat); it's a forty minute ride.