- Where to Stay
- Thailand
- Phuket
- Where to stay
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written by
Joanne Owen
updated 13.02.2024
Planning a trip to Thailand? Read on to discover where to stay in Phuket, with detail on the best areas for every kind of traveller — from 24-hour party people and seclusion seekers, to families and luxury-lovers. As a bonus, here we also share travel tips and itinerary ideas that might make your trip all the more rewarding.
Wondering where’s the best place to stay in Phuket? That depends entirely on what kind of experience you’re looking for and your budget.
At the more luxurious end of the scale, try Kamala Beach, while Old Town Phuket is the best area for culture vultures.
Thinking of taking a trip to Thailand? Browse our customisable Thailand itineraries to take the hassle out of planning and booking.
Top tip: our comprehensive Best of Thailand itinerary includes Phuket.
Phuket’s most popular beach resort town, Patong Beach is brash and busy, with a beautiful long stretch of soft sand fronted by the Andaman Sea.
Famous (or notorious, depending on your preferences) for its wild nightlife, Patong is not the place to come for peaceful island idyl, or a taste of authentic Thai culture.
Rather, it buzzes with bars and clubs (some of which are pretty sleazy, it has to be said), with action centred on Bangla Road.
Back on the beach, operators offer stacks of activities, among them jet skiing and parasailing.
For a break from Patong's pandemonium, take a boat to nearby Freedom Beach.
Find more accommodation options to stay near the Patong Beach.
Not sure when to travel? Read up on when to visit Thailand, and find out about the weather in Phuket in December — one of the best months to visit.
For a less manic, more family-friendly experience in Phuket, consider staying near Karon Beach.
Known as Patong’s “little sister”, the beach here is almost as big, and just back from the golden sand, there are playgrounds for kids to use up energy on.
Though much less crowded and rowdy than Patong, it’s still a lively, with lots of nightlife, bars and markets, but the vibe is more child-friendly.
Find more accommodation options to stay near Karon Beach.
Travelling as a family? Find out everything you need to know about family tours of Thailand, and check out our Family Time in Thailand trip.
Taking down the bustle a few more notches, west coast Kata Beach has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Phuket.
With a wide stretch of sand gently sloping to the Andaman Sea, the beach is sheltered, and exudes a much more secluded vibe than Pantang and Karon.
In addition, Kata Noi Beach, just south of Kata Beach, is on hand for a yet quieter experience.
At the same time, Kata boasts a pleasantly lively town centre, with markets and local restaurants. And, should you want to mix things up, you’re just a 20-minute drive from the full-on action of Patong.
Find more accommodation options to stay near Kata Beach.
Love beaches? Discover the best beaches in Thailand.
Sitting pretty on a peaceful crescent-shaped bay, Bang Tao is a top spot for enjoying Thailand’s wellness offerings.
With accommodation here generally in the mid-to-high range (head to the southern end of the beach for less pricey options), Bang Tao’s sublimely serene setting is ideal for rest and rejuvenation.
Many resorts and hotels boast on-site spas offering the likes of massages, facial treatments and manicures, with independent spas offering similar.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Bang Tao.
Want a wellness-oriented break? Read up on meditation centres in Thailand.
Looking for all-out luxury and wondering where to stay in Phuket? Consider focusing your accommodation search in the Kamala Beach area.
With a tranquil, laidback ambience, it plays host to lots of high-end options, from fancy 5-star resorts to opulent villas.
Find more accommodation options to stay near Kamala Beach.
Looking for luxury? You’ll love our Thai Sojourn trip.
If you’re not set on a typical Thai beach break and want a more authentic experience, check out staying in Old Town Phuket.
Steeped in history and known for its bright, ornate Sino-Portuguese architecture, many guest houses and hotels are housed in buildings that date back to the town's tin mining heyday.
A place where Sino-colonial mansions sit alongside temples, cafes and galleries, Old Town Phuket is the ideal base for culture vultures who love the idea of enjoying authentic local food and uncovering culturally diverse history.
With accommodation options covering all kinds of budgets, you won’t have a problem finding somewhere to suit your pocket.
Top tip: don’t miss the Sunday market that’s held on Thalang Road from 4pm.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Old Town Phuket.
Located on the northwest coast of Phuket, being part of Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao Beach remains largely undeveloped.
Alongside the beautiful beach — so huge, you’ll have no problem finding swathes of deserted stretches — the park is a joy for nature lovers.
Encompassing over 90 square kilometres, it includes mangroves, coral reefs, a total of four beaches, and several trails.
Free from noisy nightclubs and touts, accommodation in this area ranges from five-star options to family-run guesthouses and boutique hotels.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Mai Khao.
If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to make the most of their trips, not least if you’ve taken a long-haul flight to reach your destination, the idea of island-hopping might be your idea of a dream holiday.
So, if you’re wondering where to stay in Phuket and want to make your island-hopping dreams come true, think about staying around Chalong Bay and Rawai.
Located on the southeast coast of Phuket, Chalong Bay is a lively, colourful port and residential area that offers easy access to lots of little islands, most popularly Coral Island. Here, excellent snorkelling and diving awaits.
It’s also famed for its eponymous rum distillery and the 45-metre giant Buddha that sits atop the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata.
Meanwhile, Rawai, on the southernmost tip of Phuket, is known for its longtail boats. Head to the beach to take a trip to outlying islands like Koh Bon and Koh Kaeo.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Chalong Bay and Rawai.
Into the idea of island-hopping Thailand? You’ll find extra inspiration in our customisable Thailand’s Islands and Highlands trip.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 13.02.2024
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.
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