Traditional long-tail boats ferry guests from town to the white sand beach here, which is essentially the entryway to the resort's main white building. Inside the open-air lobby, painted floors and pink tiles add a splash of color under the ever-turning ceiling fans. From here, paths wind into the hills where villas sit high above, amid thick jungle foliage.

Right on Ao Ton Sai Beach, Arayaburi Resort - Phi Phi Island is on Ko Phi Phi Don ("Ko" means island in the native language), within walking distance of many bars, restaurants, and shops clustered along this stretch of beach. To get to the island, public ferries leave from Phuket and Krabi on the mainland delivering travelers to Tonsai Pier, from which guests can take a free shuttle boat to the resort's beach. Expect a three-hour trip total, including the 30-minute drive from Krabi Airport to Krabi Pier (also known as Klong Jilad Pier) and the voyage by ferry or private boat to the island. Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi Islands, with attractions on the smaller Ko Phi Phi Le, like Maya Beach and Viking Cave, accessible by boat.  

All of the resort's 38 rooms are up a steep climb in the hills directly behind the beach. Deluxe Villas have side-by-side neighbors with balconies separated by a partition for privacy, and either garden or bay views. They have wood floors and a sharp minimalist decor in a neutral palate. Black ceiling fans hang from the white ceilings and freshly cut colorful tropical flowers decorate king or twin beds. A small vanity sits beside built-in shelves with a mini-fridge and an electric tea kettle in each room. 

All rooms have flat-screen TVs with DVD players, but Wi-Fi is an extra fee. Most of the furniture is reserved for the balconies, with two sun loungers and a table with two Adirondack-style chairs on each; the larger grand deluxe villas have bigger private balconies with the same furnishings. The bathrooms have open walk-in showers under skylights. 

Two different beaches are accessible from the resort, with a smaller sheltered beach separated by a rocky outcropping from the main stretch of white sand. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented along with small boats, all for a fee. O2 Beach Club serves drinks as well as candlelit dinners right on the beach and the adjacent Kinnaree Restaurant serves an American breakfast with local Thai and international dishes throughout the day. Up above the beach surrounded by jungle, the hotel's outdoor pool has an integrated whirlpool and a swim-up pool bar. Free shuttle boats are available to ferry guests to and from town.