Where To Stay In Koh Lipe Revealed: Every Area, Every Budget🏝️

Published Categorized as Langkawi
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Koh Lipe

Heading to Koh Lipe? Lucky you! Whether you are dropping by as a side trip from Langkawi or as part of a bigger Thailand island hopping adventure, I’m sure you’ll love Koh Lipe. Especially if you find the best Koh Lipe resort for you. In this article, I’ll help you determine where to stay in Koh Lipe and which hotels on Koh Lipe are perfect for your budget and requirements.

I created this guide after immersing myself (and my kids) in the Koh Lipe experience. We loved exploring this island including the accommodation on Koh Lipe. From this first-hand experience and thorough research, I’ve sifted through beachfront resorts, cosy bungalows and everything in between to bring you insights and recommendations to help you find the best place to stay in Koh Lipe for you.

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Best Hotel in Koh Lipe, Thailand

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best choice is the awesome Bulow Casa Grand View Resort & Spa.

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Whether you’re planning to splurge on a Koh Lipe luxury hotel or nestle into a Koh Lipe cheap hotel, rest assured, my article cuts through the clutter to simplify your decision-making process. Let’s make your Koh Lipe stay truly unforgettable with the perfect hotel at Koh Lipe for you.

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Our Top 3 Picks: Best Resorts In Koh Lipe

Simply want to book the best option? Save time with my top 3 picks below.

#1 TOP PICK
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort infinity pool

Bulow Casa Grand View Resort & Spa

✔️ Absolutely gorgeous location

✔️ Fabulous villas

#2 PICK
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort infinity pool

Ananya Lipe Resort

✔️Rooms for all types of travellers

✔️ Handy location

#3 PICK
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort infinity pool

Lipe Garden Beach Resort

✔️ Solid budget option

✔️ Handy location

Comparison Chart Of The Best Accommodation In Koh Lipe

Here are all my picks for the best place to stay on Koh Lipe so you can quickly compare them. There is more information on each of the areas and reviews of each of these best Koh Lipe hotels coming up.

NameStarsLocationPriceTop FeaturesBook
Ananya Lipe Resort ★★★★Pattaya Beach$$$Great range of room types (including family options), dining and beachfront pool, top reviewed optionClick here
Akira Lipe Resort★★★★Pattaya Beach$$$Three pools, on-site dining, great villas availableClick here
Lipe Garden Beach Resort★★★Pattaya Beach$$Great value, variety of room types, on-site restaurantClick here
Irene Pool Villa Resort★★★★★Sunrise Beach$$$$$Best rooms – private pool villas right on the beach, on-site diningClick here
Bulow Casa Grand View Resort & Spa★★★★★Sunrise Beach$$$$$Best location at the tip of the island surround by beach, private pool villas availableClick here
Lipe Beach Resort★★★Sunrise Beach$$Best budget hotel on Sunrise Beach, many room types (including family rooms), on-site restaurantClick here
Casa De Lipe★★★★★Sunset Beach$$$$Private beach, pool villas, best for people wanting to get away from it all, on-site restaurantClick here
Bayview Hill Resort★★Sunset Beach$$Great price, perfect for getting away from it all, on-site restaurantClick here
Lipe Oasis Resort★★★Walking Street$$Best value hotel, pool, range of room types (including family rooms)Click here
Sang Chan Hostel★☆Walking Street$Cheapest place on the island with fantastic reviews, dorm room optionsClick here
The Price column is a relative measure to help you compare your options. Koh Lipe Thailand hotels are relatively expensive and I wouldn’t consider anywhere cheap on Koh Lipe, at least in the dry season. I definitely had a price shock after coming from Malaysia.

Exactly Where To Stay In Koh Lipe Revealed

Koh Lipe is a tiny, but absolutely gorgeous, island. Walking round Koh Lipe is easy and all the areas that I discuss below are walkable from each other. So no matter where you pick to stay, you can visit the other areas without a hassle.

However, each of the best areas to stay in Koh Lipe have their own vibe and their own list of pros and cons. They aren’t all created equal. It is easier to stay in the area where you think you’ll spend the most time. There are also many great Koh Lipe beach resort options. Staying on one of the gorgeous beaches is definitely what I recommend if you can.

Below, I give you an overview of each of the areas as well as the pros and cons of staying in each. I then give you the Koh Lipe best hotels in each area. I try to offer options for different price points so you can make your own choice between Koh Lipe 5 star hotels and cheap Koh Lipe hotels.

Pattaya Beach – Best Area For Nightlife And Convenience

Pattaya Beach in the evening on Koh Lipe
Pattaya Beach in the evening

Pattaya Beach is the first beach you’ll step on when you arrive on the island. It’s a beautiful stretch of soft sand and water. You’ll think you’ve arrived in heaven.

However, it is what you might call the ‘main’ beach. This has benefits and drawbacks. It’s the beach with the most action and many places to stay, ranging from snug bungalows to some of the best reviewed 4 star resorts on the island. The bigger resorts are often located here. This means it’s busy, there are many boats and these can interrupt your beach time.

It’s also busy/fantastic at nighttime with some great beach bars and clubs. There’s music (which can be loud) and some great fire dancers. The beach is lit up and it’s quite an atmosphere – although I did not find it a heavy partying atmosphere – think more friendly good times.

The accommodation here does tend to be better value than the other beaches.

We first saw this beach when we arrived from our ferry when the tide was out, and it did not look that attractive for swimming. However, later when we returned when the tide was higher, this beach was beautiful and the water very inviting.

Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe

✔️ Convenient location for departure and arrival

✔️ Most affordable beach area

✔️ Lots of beach bars and clubs

✔️ Popular area for bigger resorts

❌ It’s busy

❌ Lots of boats

❌ Can be noisy at night

Best For

People who want nightlife, ease of arriving and departing or better value accommodation than the other beach areas

Best Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach Hotels

Below are my choices for the best resorts on Pattaya Beach.

Ananya Lipe Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Located in the heart of Koh Lipe, Ananya Lipe Resort (SHA Extra Plus) offers easy access to key attractions. Lying right on the beach very close to where the ferries drop you off, it is very easy to stay here or explore neighbouring islands. It’s also not far to walk to the other beach areas and the start of Walking Street.

At Ananya Lipe Resort, a variety of room types cater to diverse needs. For families, there are spacious rooms with separate living areas and balconies or terraces. Amenities like air-conditioning, television and a mini-bar are available. Guests can expect in-room conveniences such as daily housekeeping, toiletries, and comfy bathrobes for a truly relaxed stay.

The resort boasts a range of facilities to make life super easy and fun. Start your day with a complimentary breakfast and freshly brewed coffee from the on-site coffee shop. Unwind at the hotel’s bar or take a dip in the inviting pool. Fitness enthusiasts can maintain their routine at the well-equipped fitness facility. The resort can help you snorkel, dive and enjoy various non-motorised water sports. There’s also no shortage of dining options.

This best resort Koh Lipe receives the best reviews of any on this list. While it may be a pricier option of those located on Pattaya Beach, you do get what you pay for.

Click here for the latest prices.

Akira Lipe Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Akira Lipe Resort is also in an excellent location on Pattaya Beach close to Walking Street and ferry arrivals. Of course, the beach is right out the front.

The Resort boasts a variety of rooms and especially good for couples or solo travellers. Usual 4-star amenities are found here including airconditioning, a safe and a handy fridge. Rooms also come with breakfast and a balcony or terrace,

For an extra special escape, book your own villa for more space, including a separate living area.

Dive into leisure with Akira Lipe’s glistening pool right by the beach. There’s also another two pools at the property. The on-site restaurant serves up a tasty array of dishes or have a drink at the on-site bar. There’s also a karaoke room and indoor playroom for kids.

This Koh Lipe island hotel is another top choice along with the hotel above, and you really can’t go wrong with either of them.

Click here for the latest prices.

Lipe Garden Beach Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Another option located in the heart of Pattaya Beach close to Walking Street and ferry arrivals, Lipe Garden Beach Resort is your perfect gateway to exploring Koh Lipe on a budget.

Despite the relatively low cost of rooms here, the resort offers clean, spacious rooms catering to various needs, including family rooms. Each room boasts comfy beds, flatscreen TV, kettle and private bathroom. You can pay more for a room with air-conditioning (versus fan) or for beachfront with a sea view.

There isn’t a huge range of facilities and services here but you can enjoy a relaxing massage at the Massage Shop. There is also an on-site restaurant.

For a budget choice, this one of the Koh Lipe places to stay gets fabulous reviews and is worth considering.

Click here for the latest prices.

Sunrise Beach – Best Area For A Beautiful Beach

Sunrise Beach Koh Lipe
Sunrise Beach, towards the northern end

Sunrise Beach is a long beach located on the east side of the island. It’s lined by hotels vying for the title of best resort in Koh Lipe and there are some great options here including the best Koh Lipe 5 star resorts.

It’s often touted as the best beach on the island. I would agree with this statement if it wasn’t for the number of boats that come and go here. It can make swimming difficult and add noise to what should be a serene experience.

Still, it is a beautiful place with white sand and clear turquoise waters and there are patches of water which have been roped off for people. Heading to either end of the beach is the best way to find somewhere to sim.

As you can guess from the name, it’s a great place to watch the sunrise.

My favourite part of this beach is that you can snorkel right off the beach. A recommended spot is out to the island of Ko Usen just off the shore or at the southern end of the beach. I saw quite a few fish here. You do need to watch the boats though.

Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

✔️ Beautiful beach

✔️ Many great hotel options

✔️ Snorkelling off the beach

✔️ Best luxury options

❌ Lots of boats

❌ Expensive

Best For

Families, couples and anyone who wants a great beach served with their Koh Lipe best hotel and has the budget for it

Best Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach Hotels

Below are my choices for the best resorts on Sunrise Beach.

Irene Pool Villa Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Located by the northern part of Sunrise Beach, Irene Pool Villa Resort is somewhere you will never want to leave. While it’s a little further from the action, you won’t want to leave this resort anyway. The beach by here is great and some of the best on the island.

This resort has my favourite rooms on the island. All options are private pool villas. You just need to choose if you want to be beachfront or surrounded by trees and gardens instead. It’s not just me who loves these villas either. This is one of the top rated Sunrise Beach Koh Lipe hotels.

The villas are spacious with everything you need including big, comfortable beds, big bathtubs, outdoor areas including your private pool, living areas, minibar, flatscreen TV and more. You will never want to leave here.

There is also an additional, bigger pool right on the beach, an on-site restaurant and bar, gym and day spa. This place is unbelievable! But it is also the most expensive of the Koh Lipe island hotels.

Click here for the latest prices.

Bulow Casa Grand View Resort & Spa

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Located right on the tip of the island, this resort’s location is unbeatable for beautiful beach access and views. It is simply stunning. This makes it a little further from Walking Street and Pattaya Beach than most of the hotels on this list, but you simply won’t care with these views and facilities. It feels like the resort is surrounded by beach – and this is my favourite stretch on the island without many boats.

Villa style accommodation is offered here and it’s perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway. They are beautiful and well equipped as well as spacious and luxurious. Your only decision is whether to pick a beachfront villa with your own private pool or a garden villa instead.

Bulow Casa Grand View Resort & Spa has an on-site restaurant. The only shame is that there is no swimming pool here for people who stay in the garden villas. There really should be for this price point as it is one of the most expensive hotels on this list. However, you won’t need it with the stunning beach outside the door.

Click here for the latest prices.

Lipe Beach Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Lipe Beach Resort in Koh Lipe offers a fantastic location towards the northern end of Sunrise Beach. While the Koh Lipe best resorts on Sunrise Beach tend to be on the expensive side, Lipe Beach Resort proves that this isn’t always the case and offers a more budget friendly option. However, note that cheaper rooms here are fan cooled and some don’t have hot water.

You can pay more to upgrade your experience to an air-conditioned bungalow or amazing beachfront options with your own balcony with hammock. There are also family room options. The choice is yours! However, this hotel stops being a budget option once you make these upgrades.

There is a lack of facilities here but you will find an on-site restaurant and bar right on the beach.

If you want an economical choice on the best beach, this is it.

Click here for the latest prices.

Sunset Beach – Best Area To Get Away From It All

Sunset Beach Koh Lipe
Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is on the northern side of the island. It’s a more relaxed and secluded area, perfect if you want to get away from it all and want to enjoy your beach without a side of boats – although there are some moored here, I didn’t see them come or go.

The beach itself is pretty, but not as nice as Sunrise or Pattaya if you are comparing looks alone. However, it’s still a lovely beach and the quieter atmosphere and lack of boat action helps. I found quite a few colourful fish snorkelling here. It wins for having the best sunsets on the island – although note that we could only see the sunset from the eastern end of the beach.

There’s only a handful of places to stay here. It’s perfect for honeymooners or couples wanting some romance.

The big up and downside of this beach is that it is a little further from everything. I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you want to visit other parts of the island multiple times a day as all the walking would probably get annoying in the heat.

Sunset Beach, Koh Lipe

✔️ Quieter, beautiful beach

✔️ Not many hotels

❌ Further away from the action

Best For

People who want romance, relaxation and to get away from it all as well as people who want a beach not crowded with boats

Best Koh Lipe Sunset Beach Hotels

Below are my choices for the best resorts on Sunset Beach.

Casa De Lipe

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Casa de Lipe is the perfect place for anyone looking to get away from it all. It’s located on the north coast of Koh Lipe to the southwest of Sunset Beach on its own private beach. You can walk quickly to either Sunset Beach or Pattaya Beach from here.

One of the great things about this hotel in Koh Lipe island is that all rooms are private pool villas – and they even have a family pool villa with bedding for four. All offer air-conditioning, nice bathrooms, mini-fridges and private balconies with ocean views and your own pool.

You can hire a clear kayak from the hotel to explore or have a massage. There is a small pool by the beach as well as a bar and restaurant.

Casa de Lipe is a great choice for anyone looking for a top resort away from the hustle and bustle.

Click here for the latest prices.

Bayview Hill Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Located by Sunset Beach, Bayview Hill Resort is the best choice for people wanting to get away from it all on a budget. It’s one of the cheapest hotels on this list and is still beachfront.

You can choose between a small and simple bungalow with air-conditioning and garden view or a bigger suite with a sea view, TV and a great balcony where you can sit and take in the view.

There aren’t many facilities, but there is an on-site restaurant. It’s a great deal for the price.

Click here for the latest prices.

Around Walking Street/Inland – Best Area For Budget Travellers

Walking street at night Koh Lipe
Walking street at night

Walking Street is the bustling little road between Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach. It’s the lifeline of Koh Lipe, packed with eateries, shops and bars. Staying around here means you’re never too far from a delicious bite or a spot of shopping.

It’s got a range of accommodation options, from comfy hostels to good middle-of-the-road hotels. It’s ideal for anyone who likes convenience and wants to be in the middle of it all (and doesn’t mind not staying right by a beach). A beach is never far though.

It’s by far the most affordable area for hotels in Koh Lipe, and there are many great options here as well as the cheapest places to stay.

Waking Street, Koh Lipe

✔️ Convenient central location

✔️ Most affordable area with many budget best hotels in Koh Lipe Thailand

✔️ Surrounded by shops and food options

❌ Not on a beach

❌ Can be noisy at night

❌ Not the place for Koh Lipe luxury hotels

Best For

Budget travellers and backpackers or people who want to be near lots of action and don’t mind not being on a beach.

Best Koh Lipe Walking Street Area Hotels

Below are my choices for the best hotels around Walking Street.

Lipe Oasis Resort

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

At Lipe Oasis Resort in Koh Lipe, you’re perfectly situated between the hustle and bustle of Walking Street and Sunrise Beach, ensuring you can easily access both. It’s a relatively quiet spot (although there is a nightly live band two doors away) and the owners have the surrounds set up beautifully with plenty of greenery and birds. The word resort is a little bit of a stretch though as this is firmly (nicer) budget style accommodation.

When it comes to accommodation, this resort offers a variety of room types, including family rooms equipped with a generous double bed and bunks. There are rooms for up to five people, ensuring there’s beds for everyone. The rooms are clean. Most rooms offer air-conditioning, but you can also save money by opting for a fan room.

Rooms generally have a desk, mini-fridge and simple, open-air bathroom.

What is great at this budget boutique hotel Koh Lipe is that there is also a pool. While the beach isn’t far, this is a nice option to have, although it was dirty when we stayed. You can eat breakfast on-site, but for other meals, there are plenty of eating options nearby.

We found this mid-range resort perfect for our family at a fabulous price. It may be the best value hotel on this list.

Click here for the latest prices.

Sang Chan Hostel

Traders Hotel KL Views from my Tower View Room

Sang Chan Hostel is in a convenient location just off the middle of Walking Street. You can be at Pattaya or Sunrise Beach very easily. You’re also surrounded by shops and eating places.

The cheapest option is to stay in a dorm bed and there are multiple air-conditioned and fan-cooled mixed dorm rooms. For more privacy, there are double and twin rooms with private bathrooms. These are fan cooled.

Rooms are simple, and there aren’t a huge amount of facilities and services. There is internet though and free water, tea and coffee.

This is not just one of the cheapest hostels in Koh Lipe but also the best regarded with many high reviews. You should definitely consider this if you are on a tight budget.

Click here for the latest prices.

Map Of The Best Places To Stay In Koh Lipe

Find all my recommended Koh Lipe hotels on the following map:

Koh Lipe resorts map
Click on the map above to open it in Google Maps

Final Words

Koh Lipe is an amazing destination. Whether you’re after the lively buzz of Pattaya, the serene sunrise views, the romantic sunsets or the convenience of Walking Street, Koh Lipe has a great place to stay for everyone.

Just remember, wherever you choose to unpack your suitcase, you’re never more than a short walk away from another beach or exciting spot.

Want to learn how to get between Koh Lipe and Langkawi? Read my full guide here. Want to know what to do on Koh Lipe? Find my full guide to things to do here. You can also find all my guides to Langkawi here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions? Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now! It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.