Where to Stay in Phuket – 7 Best Areas & Hotels
Are you travelling to Phuket soon? If the answer is yes, then get ready for some world-class relaxation and unforgettable days of laying on the beach! In case you’re wondering where to stay in Phuket, Thailand, this complete guide is here to help you. I have selected the 7 best areas to stay in Phuket, together with my hand-picked hotel recommendations for each. Scroll down to find everything you need to know!
Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Asia, with over 9 million visitors flying in each year, and it’s easy to see why! This tropical Thai island offers a tranquil reprieve from the hustle and bustle of busy Bangkok and it’s famous for its clear blue waters, paradisiac settings and luxury accommodations.
I mean, who doesn’t want relaxing island vibes, great restaurants and stunning weather that any beach lover would dream of? Find my list of the best places to stay in Phuket Town (spoiler alert: expect MANY beaches!), along with my top picks for hotels in each location!
Best of Phuket – Where to stay for first timers
Before jumping right into it, here’s a short round-up of my selection of areas in Phuket, so you can easily choose the best one for you:
- Karon Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for the first time
- Patong Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for nightlife
- Mai Khao Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for relaxation
- Phuket Town – Where to stay in Phuket for culture and sightseeing
- Bangtao Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for luxury
- Kamala Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for families
- Kata Beach – Where to stay in Phuket for water sports
OTHER GOOD BEACHES IN PHUKET, NOT COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE:
Okay, now let’s dive (hehe!) right into it and find more details about the 7 best areas to stay in Phuket, as well as the best accommodation options for each (expect lots of beach resort options!), broken down by budget:
Karon Beach
With one of the longest beaches on the island, you just can’t go wrong with 5 kilometres of pristine white sand! Karon is perfect if you’re looking for a beach holiday, as the area offers lots of water activities like kayaking, water skiing, banana boat rides, wakeboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing and parasailing.
Karon is much quieter than its crazy, party town neighbour, Patong – but you’ll still find that there is a lot to do in the Karon area, with many restaurants and bars. I personally prefer Karon to Patong (below in this list), as I like to get away from all the madness and stay somewhere a bit more chill, with plenty of beach resort options. Plus, it’s only a short ride to Patong’s party scene – so why not enjoy the best of both worlds?
Where to stay in Karon Beach
MY TOP PICK: Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort – If you want to be right on the beachfront of Karon, with a private secluded, quiet beach at your disposal, this is your choice!
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
BOUTIQUE HOTELS:
MID-RANGE HOTELS:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Patong Beach
When speaking of Phuket, Patong is undeniably THE most popular spot for tourists around! It’s the best place to find hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars and the craziest nightlife on the island. So, if you like to be in the centre of the party, this is the perfect place for you to stay in Phuket!
Listen to me when I say that Patong is NOT the location you are looking for if you’re hoping for a relaxing holiday. Patong is known for its wild side. Think neon lights, blaring music, clubs advertising some weird, kinky ping-pong ball show (don’t even ask), street stalls selling spiders and scorpions to eat, ladyboy cabaret shows, beach clubs and Muay Thai boxing competitions. What I am trying to say is, there is a lot going on in Patong! It’s loud and lively and a complete shock to the senses – but if you’re ready to be immersed into the madness, Patong is the rabbit hole you’ve been looking for!
Where to stay in Patong Beach
MY TOP PICK: Amari Phuket – This 5-star resort in Patong is a superb place to stay if you want to relax and enjoy not one, but two outdoor swimming pools, a private beach, a wonderful spa and free shuttle to Kata Beach. Why choose when you can relax all over Phuket, am I right?
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
BOUTIQUE HOTELS:
MID-RANGE HOTELS:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Mai Khao Beach
If you want some peace and quiet during your trip, the resort heaven of Mai Khao beach is THE place to be! This beach is considered to be the longest beach in Phuket and it’s home to a lot of the island’s nature parks and luxury accommodations.
Tourists don’t tend to bother visiting Mai Khao unless they are staying at one of the resorts in the area, as it is so much further north than the other tourist places on the island. This spot is also popular for plane watching because it sits at the tip of Phuket Airport’s runway. You’ll catch people standing at the edge of the runway, waiting for planes to land to feel a rush and get a close-up snap with the belly of a plane.
Where to stay in Mai Khao Beach
MY TOP PICK: SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort – This superb 5-star resort boasts a lush garden, a beach club, two beachfront pools (how awesome is that?!), gorgeous rooms and a resort spa as well. Just picture a vacation during which you sip on cocktails on the beach and then you relax in one of the beachfront massage terraces.
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
BOUTIQUE HOTELS:
MID-RANGE HOTELS:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Phuket Old Town
If you want to explore a town filled with colonial heritage and culture, then Phuket Town is an excellent area to stay for you! This part of Phuket may not be directly on the beach, but it’s filled with many great spots and you’ll find that its location is a great base if you are hoping to explore the smaller islands off the east coast. Old Phuket Town itself is very pretty to visit! It feels like a colonial Portuguese village, with small, colourful shops, cute coffee spots and traditional Thai restaurants hidden within its colourful streets.
TIP: Koh Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Phang Nga Bay are the most popular island day trips that you can take from Phuket Town. Personally, I would recommend checking out the smaller boat trips to some of the more secluded islands and enjoy them all for yourself. Either way, Phuket Old Town is the perfect base for daily island trips as it is situated close to the harbour!
Where to stay in Old Town Phuket
MY TOP PICK: Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel – This is one of the best places in Phuket Town for travellers who want to do some sightseeing rather than just lay on the beach all day! This colonial accommodation has beautiful rooms, free Wi-Fi and it also offers an airport shuttle. Plus, Patong Beach is only 20 minutes away by shuttle!
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
MID-RANGE HOTELS:
BUDGET HOTELS:
Bangtao Beach
Sure, Phuket by itself is a luxurious destination full of 5-star resorts and hotels, but Bangtao Beach (also spelt Bang Tao Beach) is the ultimate area for complete splurging! Because Bangtao Beach is a lesser-known part of Phuket, compared to Patong, for example, you’ll find a lot more peace and quiet here and a laid-back atmosphere. You can also prepare your heart for a long strip of white sand beach, high-end villas with swimming pool and sea views, and crystal clear waters.
This is one of those great places to stay if you’re not planning on exploring too much, but you’d rather spend your days lazing at a luxurious resort, in complete relaxation.
Where to stay in Bangtao Beach
MY TOP PICK: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort – This gorgeous beach resort in Phuket is one of your best options if you want to stay in Bang Tao Beach. The accommodation has an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness centre and plenty of dining options. The best part is that you’ll only be 20 minutes away from Patong and 25 from Phuket Town!
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
MID-RANGE HOTELS:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach on the West Coast is the place to go for lots of family-friendly hotels and resorts (and some peace and quiet). In case you want to party as well, no worries, as you’ll only be 20 minutes away by car (or tuk-tuk) from Patong Beach, the clubbing heart of Phuket.
There are also plenty of places to eat and grab a cocktail around the area, within walking distance from the beach, so you can rest assured that you won’t get bored while in Kamala!
Where to stay in Kamala Beach
MY TOP PICK: Keemala – Now this is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for a special experience! Unlike other beach resorts in Phuket, this accommodation offers clay cottages surrounded by nature in the forest, each of them with its own private pool. In short, this 5-star hotel is stunning, with gorgeous views, free Wi-Fi and more. Recommended for an unforgettable vacation in Phuket!
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
MID-RANGE:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Kata Beach
Speaking of beautiful beaches in Phuket… here’s another good option for you! Karon and Kata are equally awesome parts of Phuket, so it may be hard to choose! I feel like if you want to visit Phuket for water sports and adventure, either one will be a good option and you’ll be fully satisfied! Kata Beach, divided into Kata Noi and Kata Yai) is located right next to Karon. It’s a bit smaller, a bit quieter, but still offers a lot of things to do!
The night scene here isn’t very lively, so you can expect some serenity and lots of relaxation during your stay.
Where to stay in Kata Beach
MY TOP PICK: The Shore At Katathani – If you’re looking for some good mood, good food and complete relaxation, here’s your place in Phuket! This 5-star adults-only resort is right on the beachfront and you can choose from villas with private pools, sea views and more. They also teach yoga lessons and aqua aerobics on-site!
OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS:
LUXURY HOTELS:
MID-RANGE:
BUDGET HOTELS:
ENTIRE APARTMENTS:
Okay, that’s me done! Here’s my complete guide on Phuket accommodations! In this post, I have discussed the best areas for all types of travellers and I have also given you my hand-picked recommendations for splurgin’ resorts, mid-range hotels and budget ones as well.
Regardless if you’re going to choose the vibrant Patong Beach, fun Karon, family-friendly Kamala or culture-rich Phuket Town, I’m sure you’ll have a great time on your travels!
If you want to read more about the best things to do in Thailand and my adventures in this wonderful country, I recommend heading over to this section here.
xoxo,
Melissa
Want to know more about travelling to Phuket?
- Check out all my Phuket Travel Guides here.
- Need to book your flights? Head over to Skyscanner!
- Time to book a tour in Phuket? Head over here.
- Not get travel insurance??? Get it – it’s not a hassle you want to risk!
- Don’t forget to download my nifty Google Maps Guide for your trip to Phuket so you don’t miss a thing!
Pin me for later!
Sign Up For My Newsletter!
Want to stay in the loop? Join my exclusive mailing list, plus you’ll gain access to my ever-growing free resource library!