Hotel Zeavola

In the Andaman Sea, on the north-east side of Phi Phi Island (province of Krabi), which is around 25 mi south-east from Krabi (allow another 30 minutes' drive plus one and a half hours by ferry to reach the airport) and around 30 mi south-east of Phuket (allow an approximate 45 minute-drive plus one hour 45 minutes by ferry to reach the airport).
The Zeavola owns a fast-speed boat allowing a direct transfer to Phuket within an hour.

All regular boat lines for Phi Phi Island dock at Ton Sai Bay. From there you should expect another twenty minutes by long tail boat (the local taxi) to reach the hotel by sea (there are no roads on the island).
When the sun goes down, don't forget your mosquito repellent! (some is provided in the guestrooms).
Internet addicts will be pleased to learn that WiFi internet access is available throughout the hotel, all you need to do is ask for the access codes at the reception desk.

You won't need several pairs of shoes when you stay at the Zeavola because everybody lives with their feet in the sand all the time! When the boat docks on the shore, in front of the hotel, you will have no other choice than to dip your feet in the water anyway. The reception is a little further away, beneath a small wooden pavilion and a rectangular overflow pool is behind it, surrounded by four large beds. It is not very big but as the greenery around it is quite dense, the sun doesn't shine all day on this spot anyway. As far as relaxation is concerned, the Zeavola's spa is set up high and therefore has a beautiful view. The six rooms are all equipped to cater for two people at the same time; it is quite a pretty place but it still lacks a little decoration.

The Zeavola's 52 guest rooms are cleverly spread out all over the estate: there are 35 Garden Suites, 10 Village Suites, 3 Beach Front Suites and 4 Pool Villa Suites. The latter each have their own overflow pool and as they are isolated from one another, privacy is preserved but the climb up the hill is a bit of a tough one. The Garden Suites each have a large outdoor terrace separating the bedroom from the bathroom. The bedroom is surrounded by large bay windows whereas the bathroom is partly interior, partly exterior. Opposite the enclosed area, a dressing table is set up out in the open, as well as a washbasin and a shower. The toilet is in the interior section of the bathroom, along with the second shower. The Thai decoration in the sleeping quarters is very pretty indeed. Everything is provided for maximum comfort: a television, a safe, air-conditioning, a full minibar with tea and coffee-making facilities, a direct international telephone line and room service from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm. WiFi internet access is also available in every room. If you wish to stay in a Beach Front Suite, request n# 50 or 51 as n# 52 doesn't have an outdoor bathroom, and if you wish to be close to the pool, request n# 48 or 49, just next to it!

Two restaurants share the limelight at the Zeavola. The Baxil, which isn't a particularly large restaurant, with a capacity of just 30 guests, but it has a small terrace for guests wishing to eat their meals outside and it is open for both breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is served as a buffet, including hot and cold dishes, before it changes in the evening to a Thai restaurant. As for the Tacada, it is on the seafront, on the sand and it is open from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm. Meals are served a la carte here and the cuisine is international, refined, nicely designed and simply delicious!

The Zeavola is one of the lucky hotels to stand on Ton Sai Bay. The beach has fine sand and the water is crystal-clear and can even become too warm! The hotel has even set up large cushions on beach mats on the sand, for guests to use as deck chairs, and parasols enable guests to sunbathe while being protected from the sun. The only snag is the constant comings and goings of the long tail boats and their rather loud engines. However, it is lovely to stroll along the bay, at night time, with your feet in the water!