After months of hearing Koh Lipe described as “the Maldives of Thailand,” I finally arrived at Mali Sunrise Beach Resort, a boutique, beachfront resort tucked away on one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. From the moment I arrived, I had a feeling that this start was going to be something special.
Mali Sunrise Beach Resort is the kind of hotel that works for just about every type of traveler. Whether you’re visiting Koh Lipe solo, planning a romantic getaway, or coming for the island’s incredible diving and snorkeling, Mali Sunrise Beach gives you an experience that sticks with you, long after you leave.
With Koh Lipe growing more popular each year, I thought it was the perfect time to share my own experience on this tiny paradise island, starting with where I stayed. During my trip, I split my time between Mali Sunrise Beach Resort and the Cliff Lipe, both offering different but completely memorable stays.
Pro tip: I visited Koh Lipe in the off-season, which meant quieter beaches and significantly lower prices. Because of that, I was able to stay at both Mali Sunrise Beach Resort and The Cliff Lipe for much less than you’d pay during peak season – something to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip of your own.
In this post, I’ll be sharing my honest review of Mali Sunrise Beach Resort on Sunrise Beach in Koh Lipe, including what it’s really like to stay here and whether it’s worth booking.
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Getting to Mali Sunrise Beach Resort
First things first, let’s help you get there. Mali Sunrise Beach is located on Koh Lipe, a tiny island in the south of Thailand’s Andaman Sea. During the peak season, you can take a ferry between Koh Lipe and the Malaysian Island of Langkawi, which conveniently has an airport. Langkawi is the quickest way to get to Koh Lipe, but if you’re traveling during the off-season, you won’t be able to come via this route.
There are, of course, other ways to get to Koh Lipe. From mainland Thailand, you can take a flight to Hat Yai (HDY) and then transfer to Pak Bara Pier, where you can get a speedboat to Koh Lipe, or if you don’t want to fly, you can actually take boats from Phuket all the way to Koh Lipe.
No matter where you’re coming from, I highly recommend checking transportation options on 12Go. It’s how we book all of our transport around Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Once you arrive at the pier, Mali Sunrise Beach Resort will pick you up in their golf cart and take you to the hotel. It’s a quick trip, 10-15 minutes across the island.
This beachfront hotel is located on Sunrise Beach, and you’ll be walking distance from Koh Lipe walking street, tons of restaurants, massage centers, and dive shops.
Check-in & First Impressions
Check-in was a breeze, and the hotel staff were incredibly friendly, just like everywhere else we’ve visited in Thailand. You check in at the entrance, where there’s a small reception desk with books you can borrow and free filtered water.
After checking in, the staff offered to take our bags up to the room while we were invited down to the beachfront restaurant for a welcome drink and a quick tour. Walking past the pool and poolside bungalows, you reach the beach, where tables are set in the sand and sun loungers are ready to use, the perfect spot to unwind right away.
Mali Sunrise Beach Room Review
After our welcome drink and hotel tour, we were shown to our room. We stayed in one of the Balinese Luxury Suites at Mali Sunrise Beach, which we had booked for four nights during our time in Koh Lipe.
Balinese Luxury Suite at Mali Sunrise Beach
This was easily one of the largest hotel rooms I’ve stayed in in a long time. The Balinese influence was immediately noticeable, which I absolutely loved, as Balinese hotels are among my favorites. It also felt especially meaningful for my husband and me, since we actually met in Bali.
Room Size, Layout & Design
The suite was incredibly spacious, with a large bathroom, plenty of storage, a king-sized bed, and a small living area with a sofa and TV. One of the highlights was the large private balcony overlooking the hotel’s gardens and pool, which made the room feel even more peaceful and private.
Bathroom & In-Room Amenities
The bathroom was also huge and well-equipped with toiletries. The shower was excellent, warm with good water pressure, which was very welcome after long, hot days exploring the island (I am definitely not a cold-shower girl).
The room also included a kettle, a small fridge, and a desk, which are all things we personally look for when booking a hotel room, especially when staying somewhere for multiple nights.
Bed & Sleep Quality
The bed was honestly one of the most comfortable we slept in all year. Between the size of the room, the quiet surroundings, and the comfort of the bed, it was the kind of place you actually look forward to coming back to at the end of the day.
Each year, my husband and I rate all the hotels we stay at – and considering we travel nearly full-time, that’s a long list. I can honestly say that Mali Sunrise Beach Resort was our hotel of the year. The room was perfect, the bed was exceptional, and being beachfront with access to such a beautiful pool sealed it for us. But more on that in a minute.
Hotel Facilities & Amenities
Now I want to take you on a little tour of Mali Sunrise Beach Resort. It’s honestly hard to pick a favorite part of the hotel. For my husband, it was without a doubt the pool. For me, it might have been the beachfront sun loungers. That said, we both loved the daily happy hour cocktails and the kayaks you can borrow during your stay.
Amenities Overview
Here’s a quick overview of the amenities at Mali Sunrise Beach Resort in Koh Lipe:
- Large swimming pool with plenty of seating. Even when there are kids around, you can find a quiet corner
- Beachfront restaurant where breakfast is served daily, with everything cooked to order so it always comes out fresh and hot
- Daily happy hour with great prices on cocktails
- Sun loungers directly on Sunrise Beach
- Kayaks and snorkeling equipment available to borrow
The hotel’s layout makes everything feel relaxed and uncrowded, which we really appreciated throughout our stay.
Service & Staff
As with most places we’ve visited in Thailand, the staff at Mali Sunrise Beach were incredibly friendly and welcoming. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely looked after. I don’t think we’ve stayed somewhere in Thailand where the staff didn’t immediately make us feel like part of the family.
From the housekeepers to the restaurant and bar staff, everyone went out of their way to make our stay special, whether that was remembering our drink orders, offering helpful tips, or simply checking in to make sure we had everything we needed.
Value for Money
It’s no secret that Thailand has become more expensive in recent years, but the quality of accommodation is still hard to beat. Across the country, staff consistently go above and beyond. My husband and I talk a lot about how the customer service in Thailand is some of the best in the world, and Mali Sunrise Beach is no exception.
While Mali Sunrise Beach Resort is a little more than we’d normally spend on accommodation, it felt worth it. The comfort, service, and beachfront location make it the kind of place that’s ideal for a special stay. If you’re open to traveling during the off-season, you can also save a lot, making it much more affordable without sacrificing the experience.
Pros & Cons of Staying at Mali Sunrise Beach
Pros:
- Direct beachfront location, with easy access to sunrise views, kayaking, and snorkeling without ever leaving the hotel
- Excellent location in Koh Lipe – far enough from the hustle and bustle, yet only about a 10-minute walk to Walking Street
- Stunning balcony views, especially over the pool and gardens
- Surprisingly quiet rooms, even when overlooking the pool area
Cons:
- Not adults-only, meaning there are often children using the pool
- Limited number of beach sun loungers, which some guests like to take for the entire day…
- Located on Sunrise Beach, so you’ll need to head elsewhere on the island for sunset
Who Should Stay Here?
Mali Sunrise Beach is a great choice for travelers looking for a comfortable, high-quality stay in Koh Lipe, particularly couples and anyone who values a beachfront location with attentive service. The rooms are spacious, well-designed, and thoughtfully equipped, and the location is both peaceful and convenient.
For me personally, the only real downside was that it’s a very family-friendly hotel. I know some of you are going to be shaking your heads at that, but I don’t love sharing a pool with people’s kids! That said, if you’re traveling with children, this would be an excellent option; the atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and well-suited to families.
Final Verdict & Rating
As I said before, we loved our stay at Mali Sunrise Beach Resort and would absolutely love the opportunity to stay here again. For us, it was the best hotel we stayed at this year. We spent four nights here before checking out another property on Koh Lipe, but we could have spent the full week just here; the stay was perfect.
If you’re planning a trip to Koh Lipe, don’t hesitate to book here.
How Can You Book Your Stay at Mali Sunrise Beach Resort?
I personally recommend booking this hotel on Booking.com or Agoda. While Booking is my preferred option, you can sometimes find great deals on Agoda, especially if you earn Agoda Cashback. While I’ve never really used Expedia, apparently, they’re a great place to book hotels as well. You can find Mali Sunrise Beach on Expedia as well.
Hotel Details:
- Location: Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe
- Bookings can be made online wherever you choose to book (Booking, Agoda, Expedia)
Activities in Koh Lipe
Wondering what to do during your stay in Koh Lipe? Incredible beaches, great food, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat trips are all great options. We personally traveled to Koh Lipe for scuba diving, but ended up falling in love with this incredible little island. Find your activities on GetYourGuide.
My stay at Mali Sunrise Beach Resort was nothing short of magical. It was one of those hotels we splashed out on, as we traveled to Koh Lipe over my husband’s birthday, but I honestly hope I can visit again one day. If you book to stay here, share your experience with me in the comments.
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