Escape to Paradise: LongDoo Hostel, Ko Phi Phi's BEST Kept Secret!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of the hotel, and trust me, it's going to be a rollercoaster. Forget your sterile, cookie-cutter reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all. And yes, I'm going to be brutally honest, even if my opinion about it doesn’t matter to anyone!
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and the "Wait, What?"
Let's start with the basics, shall we? I'm always a little on edge because, let's be honest, accessibility can be a crapshoot.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Right, so supposedly they've got this down. Supposedly. Look, I didn't personally roll around in a wheelchair during my stay, but the website promises it, and if they don't deliver, heads will roll (figuratively, of course – I'm not that dramatic).
- Elevator: Phew, good news! There's an elevator. Thank goodness, because after that buffet (more on that later), I needed it.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Again, they're saying they have them. I'm just hoping they've actually thought about things from that perspective. It's always the little things, isn't it? Like the height of the bathroom sink!
Okay, on the other hand, its exterior corridor is pretty good for those who need to get everywhere.
Internet: Wi-Fi - The Eternal Struggle
I live for Wi-Fi. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating slightly. But seriously, in this day and age, decent internet is a necessity.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Okay, that's a HUGE win. Seriously. A massive weight off my shoulders.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Also good. You know, for those moments when you need to shame-scroll on social media while pretending to be deeply engrossed in a book.
- Internet [LAN]: They also have Internet [LAN], which is really good, for the nerds that don't want any WIFI.
- Internet Services: Oh, it also provides Internet services.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Or Try To…)
Now, for the exciting part. Let's talk about the stuff that makes a hotel a destination.
- Pool with View: Yes! A pool with a view is my love language. And you know what? It delivered! The view was stunning, overlooking the green. I spent WAY too much time lounging there. Pure bliss.
- Swimming Pool [Outdoor]: Of course, it has an outdoor pool.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Right, so the spa situation. Okay, it was pretty good, but it felt slightly… sterile? Like a slightly fancy hospital. I'm all for cleanliness, but a little ambiance wouldn't hurt. The sauna was decent, though.
- Gym/fitness: Didn't use it. I'm on holiday, people! My only exercise involved reaching for the dessert buffet.
Cleanliness & Safety: The Pandemic Reality Check
Let's be real, we're all a little obsessed with cleanliness these days. The hotel seems to take it seriously, which is a relief.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol: Seriously, all the boxes are ticked. They’re practically wearing hazmat suits.
- Anti-viral cleaning products It gives a sense of security knowing that you're going to be in a safe environment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun
Alright, let's talk food. Because, let's face it, that's what we're really here for, right?
- Restaurants: They have restaurants!
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Okay, this is where things get interesting. The breakfast buffet. Oh. My. God. It was EPIC. A glorious spread of everything you could possibly want. The Asian breakfast was to die for! (Figuratively, obviously). There were options from different cuisines, like salad, soup, desserts, a bar and coffee shop.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: They also provide coffee!
- A la carte in restaurant: Its providing à la carte in the restaurant.
- Room service [24-hour]: 24-hour room service? Yes, please! Especially after a night of… well, whatever happens on vacation.
- Asian & Western cuisine in restaurant: Both is good, as long as it's well cooked.
- Poolside bar: Cocktails by the pool? Yes, please!
Rooms & Amenities: Sweet, Sweet Comfort
Let's talk about the nitty-gritty: the actual room.
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Bathrobes, Bathrooms, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Okay, a lot! Pretty much everything you could ask for in a room. The bed was incredibly comfy. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver.
- Air conditioning: Obviously it has air conditioning.
- Wi-Fi [free]: And of course, FREE WIFI!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Here, there's a lot of services.
- Convenience store: It's a very good thing to have a convenience store.
- Currency exchange: Convenient for tourists.
- Daily housekeeping: They leave your room clean every single day!
- Laundry service: If you are in a short stay, you can use the laundry service.
- Luggage storage: Always good to have!
- **Meeting/banquet facilities, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events: If you want to organize a big event.
- Front desk [24-hour: Great!
- Food delivery: If you want to eat in your room, use this.
- Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Lots of other services!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Vibe?
- Babysitting service: Good!
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Even more!
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: They have provided all these options.
Overall Impression: The Verdict?
Okay, let's cut to the chase. The hotel? Pretty darn good. It's not perfect, and it definitely has its quirks, but it offers a really great stay.
The Good: The pool, the breakfast buffet (seriously, I’m still dreaming about it), the comfy rooms, and the friendly staff. The view! The free Wi-Fi.
The Not-So-Good: The sterile spa vibe.
My Recommendation:
Here's my pitch: BOOK IT!
So, if you're looking for a hotel that's got a great location, a killer pool, and breakfast that will knock your socks off, then this is the place. Yes, it has some minor flaws, and maybe the spa needs a little more… personality, but overall it's a fantastic option. Go! Enjoy! And try not to eat all the pastries at the buffet before I get there.
Ulsan vs. Ilsan: The ULTIMATE South Korean City Showdown!
Phi Phi Island: A Love Story (and a Mild Case of Sunburn) - LongDoo Hostel Edition
Day 1: Arrival & Oyster Dreams (Oh, and Sand)
- Morning: Wake up, bleary-eyed, after a red-eye flight that felt like it lasted a decade. Hit the Bangkok airport, survive the chaotic baggage claim (seriously, it’s a test of patience!), and finally… freedom! A quick little hop to Krabi, where the air is thick with humidity and the promise of island life. The ferry to Phi Phi… okay, let's be honest, the ferry was a sweaty, slightly seasick-inducing experience. I swear one guy was trying to hide his lunch bag under his seat. Bless him.
- Afternoon: Finally, the glorious, postcard-worthy view of Phi Phi! Okay, wow. Just, WOW. Checked in at LongDoo Hostel. First impressions? Cheerful. Crowded. And smells faintly of sunscreen (and a hint of something… else). The dorm room? Basic, but hey, that’s part of the adventure, right? Trying to avoid the top bunk – my knees aren’t what they used to be. (Spoiler alert: ended up on a top bunk anyway. Gravity is a cruel mistress).
- Evening: Exploration time! Wandered into the main town, got utterly lost within five minutes – because, of course. Found Maya Bay on a tourist map, which is now a national park. Okay! No problem! A very good idea for the local community. Stumbled upon a restaurant with a million signs claiming "Best Seafood! Fresh Oysters!" Skeptical at first, but, after a few long stares, I had to give it a try. Oysters. OMG. Heaven on a half shell. They tasted like the ocean, and probably about 30 years younger than I do…. Ended the night with a Chang beer (or two… or three…), feeling utterly, wonderfully, exhausted, listening to some questionable cover music at the bar, and wondering if I had the forethought to put enough sunscreen on. (Narrator: I didn’t).
Day 2: The Beach, the Snorkeling & the Aftermath of the Sun
- Morning: Ouch. Woke up feeling like a cooked lobster. Sunburn. Bad sunburn. Note to self: Reapply sunscreen. Frequently. Dragged myself out of bed (again, top bunk struggles) and ate a breakfast of toast and peanut butter at the hostel. Feeling sorry for myself.
- Afternoon Snorkelling excursion. Jumped in the water, and all I can say is: the underwater world is freaking incredible. So many fish! So many colors! Watched a sea turtle drift by, that was amazing. Then, I saw the coral, and oh boy, it's beautiful. But here's the thing, the boat driver told us to avoid touching the beautiful coral, I was able to do it, no problem. Just, wow. Pure magic.
- Evening: Dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Tried to look like a normal person, but my sunburn probably gave me away. Everyone else seems to be having a good time. And then? Fire show! So cool! Watching flames dance in the air, it's one of those moments when you think, "Yeah, life is pretty good." Then I tripped going back to the hostel, sprained my ankle (minor, thankfully).
Day 3: The Viewpoint & the Regret (and More Sunburn)
- Morning: Determined to conquer the Phi Phi viewpoint. The pictures are gorgeous, and my ankle is holding up. The hike? Steep. Sweaty. Worth it. The view from the top… breath-taking. Honestly, I'm not a morning person, but seeing that view, the whole "getting-up-early" thing was suddenly, totally worth it.
- Afternoon: Decided to head back down to the beach for a last sunbath (duh!). Another round of sunscreen application? Well I thought… I thought I was being diligent. Turns out the sun is an unrelenting, orange, vengeful god. More regret. Ended up hiding under a beach umbrella, nursing my pride (and my now-even-worse burn).
- Evening: Trying to convince myself the red glow means I'm developing a healthy tan. Dinner was at a more casual restaurant. I think I overdid the spice, and now my lips are on fire. Is there a fire show happening? I may have to sit this one out.
- Rambling Thought: I wonder if I can get away with sending a postcard home that says "Having a fantastic time, wish you were here, mostly in the shade"?
Day 4: Departure & the Longing
- Morning: Packing up, saying goodbye to the dorm room, the questionable smells, and the surprisingly friendly roommates. Leaving Phi Phi felt a bit like saying goodbye to a friend. A slightly sunburned, slightly sea-sick friend, but a friend nonetheless.
- Afternoon: Ferry ride back to Krabi…then to Bangkok, then home… the world's just a little bit less vibrant than it was a few days ago.
- Evening: I'm already planning my return. I'll be back. Next time, I'll bring more sunscreen. More water. And maybe, just maybe, learn to navigate a map.
- Philosophical Note: You know, "adventure" doesn't always mean glamorous. Sometimes it means getting lost, getting sunburned, and tripping over your own feet. And sometimes, that's exactly what makes it so darn memorable.
So, like, what *is* this whole thing anyway?
Ugh, good question. I feel like I'm still figuring that out, honestly. Think of this as… a digital dumping ground for the brain-burps that accumulate after, like, a week. Actually, let me rewind. Imagine you’re at a party, right? You're nursing a lukewarm soda and the conversation veers into this… thing. Someone inevitably says, "So, uh, what do you *do*?" And you're forced to give this perfectly curated, professional answer. This? This is the *opposite* of that. This is the "Well, last night, I accidentally burned the lasagna, and then..." version. Expect tangents. Expect typos. Expect my cat to interrupt me at any moment. And, yes, occasionally, actual answers to frequently asked (or, in my case, infrequently *imagined*) questions.
Okay, fine. But *specifically*, what kind of stuff are we talking about?
Oh, you want specifics? Alright. Mostly, it's my attempt to make sense of… well, everything. Like, how am I supposed to adult? What's the meaning of… [trails off, existential crisis ensues]. Basically, there will be… a lot of talking about the human condition. Plus, probably a disproportionate amount of cat pictures. My cat, Mittens, demands equal screen time. (She's judging me right now. I can *feel* it.) I’ll probably be ranting about stupid things, the things that make me think, and how my brain works, and doesn't. Oh, and the occasional rant about slow walkers. You know who you are!
Are you, like, qualified to talk about anything?
Qualified? Honey, I'm pretty sure the only qualifications I possess at this point are a deep and abiding love for procrastination and a near-encyclopedic knowledge of bad 80s movies. (The *knowledge* is accidental, mind you. The procrastination is very deliberate.) So, no. Probably not. But, hey, you get what you pay for! (Which, in this case, is nothing. Unless you count your sanity. In which case… well, you've been warned.)
So, what about… relationships? Is this going to be some sort of dating advice column?
God, no. Absolutely not. I'd sooner give relationship advice as jump in a pool full of piranhas. And yes, I *have* considered that. (Don't judge me, okay?!) The advice I'd offer would probably be disastrous. My last serious relationship ended with a disagreement over the proper way to load a dishwasher. I swear, it was as complicated as Quantum Physics. So, yeah. No dating advice. Unless you want to learn the *wrong* way to do things. Then, hey, are there some stories… I’ll share some of my own relationship blunders, because honestly, they're hilarious in retrospect. Okay, maybe *I* find them hilarious. Still… it won't be relationship advice. I promise. Unless you’re dating me… then I’d keep reading. You’ll need all the advance warnings.
What about work? Do you hate your job?
The job situation? Oh, buckle up, buttercup. It's a rollercoaster, honestly. Some days I *love* it. Some days I fantasize about quitting, moving to a remote island, and becoming a professional hermit. I'll probably complain about it a lot of the time, because vent is therapeutic or something. And maybe, just maybe, share some of my more… *colorful* work experiences. Like the time I accidentally sent an email to the entire company… with a subject line that definitely *shouldn't* have been shared. (Let's just say it involved a very unflattering comparison and a certain type of fruit.) Good times. (For everyone else, probably.)
Fine, I'm listening. How often should I expect new "content"?
Ah, scheduling. My arch-nemesis. Look, I *intend* to be consistent. Really, I do! But life has a way of, you know, *happening*. So, the best answer I can give you is: "When the muse strikes, or when I get desperate for validation." Let's say… irregularly. Weekly? Maybe. Daily? Highly unlikely. Sporadically? Most likely. Don't expect promises. Expect… the unexpected.
What is your *favorite* color?
Okay, this is the one I can answer immediately with confidence. It's… complicated. It changes, depending on the weather, my mood, and how much coffee I’ve had. But right now? It's that specific shade of blue you see right after a summer storm. Or maybe green… or blue-green. Can I say all of the above? Or, you know, the color of a good book or a really sad song.
Can I ask you questions?
Oh, please, do! Honestly, I'm kind of lonely here with only Mittens for company. (She's great, but she's not much of a conversationalist. Mostly she just judges my snack choices.) Send me your questions, your comments, your unsolicited dating advice (I might secretly read it). Or just tell me what you had for breakfast. I'm here, I'm listening, and I'm probably procrastinating something important.
So, are you going to tell us about the Lasagna?
*Sighs*. Alright. You want the lasagna story? Fine. It was a typical Tuesday, right? I had a craving, the kind that demands immediate gratification. "I'm making lasagna!" I declared to… myself, probably. I envisioned a masterpiece, bubbling, cheesy, perfect. I spent an entire afternoon meticulously layering, chopping, and stirring. The oven preheated like a champ. Then… disaster. I was checking the oven (because, let's be honest, I’m always a little on edge when it comes to the oven) and I noticed the top was… well, black. The cheese? Gone. The noodles? Crispy. The sauce? Something resembling charcoal-infused cement. My reaction? I stared. Then I laughed. Then, I cried a little. Then, I ordered pizza. And that, my friends, is the essence of my culinary prowess. If a pizza is in the oven, thingsThe Stay Journey
