More about hotels in Phuket
About Phuket accommodation
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and it has beaches for every kind of trip. Patong is loud and lively, Kata and Karon are easier for families, and Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao are quieter and more upmarket. Whatever you're picturing for a Thai holiday, one part of Phuket probably matches it.
Prices here span the full range too, from simple guesthouses in Phuket Town to some of the most expensive pool villas in Southeast Asia. Here's how to pick the right base.
Where should you stay in Phuket?
- Patong: The island's main strip. Beach clubs, bars, and nightlife that runs late. Stay here if you want everything within walking distance.
- Kata and Karon: Calmer beaches just south of Patong, popular with families. Still close enough to Patong for a night out.
- Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao: Quieter, more upscale stretches of coast. Fewer crowds, nicer beaches, higher prices.
- Rawai and Nai Harn: The laid-back south end of the island. Fewer resorts, more local restaurants, and easy boat trips to nearby islands.
- Phuket Town: Inland and away from the beach, but the cheapest base and home to the island's best food and Old Town streets.
- Cape Panwa and Chalong: Secluded resorts and Phuket's main marina, a good base if you're diving or island-hopping.
How much is Phuket accommodation?
A clean double room in Phuket Town or Rawai can cost around AU$25 a night. Patong and the beachfront areas cost more, and the island's top pool villas are some of the priciest stays in Thailand.
- Budget stays: From AU$20 per night. Guesthouses and hostels, mostly in Phuket Town and inland areas.
- Mid-range hotels: From AU$55 per night. Comfortable rooms with a pool, a short walk or ride from the beach.
- Beachfront resorts: From AU$120 per night. On-the-sand stays with pools, restaurants, and water sports on site.
- Luxury villas: From AU$280 per night. Private pool villas, often with their own beach access or hillside views.
What is Phuket known for?
Your hotel is just the base. Here's what most guests build a day or two around.
- Big Buddha: A 45-metre marble statue on top of Nakkerd Hill, with a 360-degree view over Phuket Town, Kata, Karon and Chalong Bay. One of the best sunset spots on the island.
- Simon Cabaret (Kathu): A 90-minute cabaret show with elaborate costumes, comedy, and music. Book ahead, and agree on photo prices before you pose for one.
- Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay: A full-day speedboat trip to the islands made famous by The Beach, with stops for snorkelling and a beach lunch. Go early to beat the crowds at Maya Bay.
- Sunday Walking Street (Lard Yai, Phuket Town): A Sunday night market on Thalang Road with dozens of food stalls and handicraft stands, set among the Old Town's colourful shophouses. Runs from 4pm.
- Spa and wellness: Phuket takes this seriously, from budget day spas from around AU$25 an hour to wellness resorts like Amatara, known for its Thai Hammam treatment.
- Phuket Old Town: Narrow lanes of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, now full of cafes, street art, and boutique shops. Best explored on foot in the morning before it gets hot.
What are the best hotels in Phuket?
- Banyan Tree Phuket: One of the island's original pool-villa resorts, set around a lagoon on Bang Tao. Known for its spa and private villas.
- Katathani Phuket Beach Resort: A large beachfront resort on its own cove at Kata Noi, away from Kata's main crowds.
- Amari Phuket: Right on Patong Beach with a big pool and easy access to the strip. A solid pick if you want to be in the middle of things.
- Sunwing Kamala Beach: A family-friendly resort on Kamala Beach, quieter than Patong but still close to it.
- Baan Laimai Beach Resort and Spa: Budget-friendly with spacious rooms and a big pool, a short walk from Patong Beach.
- Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa: Good value with a large lagoon pool, close to Patong's beach and restaurants.
Tips for booking a stay in Phuket
- Pick your beach first: Patong for nightlife, Kata and Karon for families, Kamala or Bang Tao for something quieter and more upscale.
- Negotiate tuk-tuk fares before you get in. Tuk-tuks in Phuket cost far more than in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. A ride-hailing app like Grab is usually cheaper and simpler.
- Book well ahead for December to February. This is Phuket's peak season, and beachfront resorts sell out early.
- Check the airport distance before you book. Mai Khao and Nai Yang are close to the airport but a long drive from Patong and the south.
- Use our filters for spa access if a wellness break is a big part of the trip. Many resorts have their own spa on site.
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