Where to stay in Phuket? The 9 best places to stay 🇹🇭

In this guide, I will introduce you to the best areas and cities to help you choose where to stay in Phuket.

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and has been the country’s most touristic region for decades.

That’s why you can find everything on Phuket.

Whether you want to stay in a luxury hotel on the beach, are traveling with children and want to stay in a family-friendly hotel or are a young backpacker looking for like-minded people.

Below I present the best areas on Phuket and give recommendations for hotels.

Where to stay in Phuket? Let me start with the most famous and infamous place.

The best places in Phuket

Here is a brief overview for those who want to get a quick overview and find the best accommodation in Phuket.

Best places in Phuket for different travelers

• 👉 Patong – Best place for nightlife
• 👉 Karon – Best place for families with children
• 👉 Kata – Best quiet place with beautiful beaches
• 👉 Koh Yao Yai – beautiful island 20 minutes from Phuket
• 👉 Phuket Town – Stay in an exciting city
• 👉 Kamala – great place with luxury hotels near Surin Beach
• 👉Nai Harn – A hidden gem in Phuket away from mass tourism
• 👉 Rawai – the best place for local charm and boat trips
• 👉 Bangtao – excellent beach near the airport

In the following, I will take a closer look at the accommodation options in Phuket.

1. Patong – best area for nightlife

Patong is one of the most popular places on Phuket and one of the liveliest areas on the whole island.

The main attraction is the famous Patong Beach with its white sand, turquoise waters and numerous water sports facilities.

Patong is also known for its vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs and entertainment with live music.

In this city you will find Bangla Road, a strange mix of normal bars with loud music and red light district-like bars.

Patong is a great base for anyone traveling to Phuket and looking to stay in a classic tourist area with plenty to do and everything from McDonald’s to Irish pubs.

Find the best hotels in Patong. 👈

Before my last trip to Thailand, I had been to the country a few times, but never to Phuket, and I have to admit that I despised places like Patong as an area.

I thought this wasn’t the real Thailand, and I could just as easily experience such tourist towns in Mallorca, Crete and similar destinations in Europe.

And in a way, that is true. Patong is a very touristy destination, for better or for worse.

Take a look at this video, for example, to see what Bangla Road looks like in the evening:

I wanted to get to know this side of Thailand, so we booked a stay in Patong when we arrived from Denmark.

It was a good way to “land” after the trip: there are plenty of restaurants, stores and things to do in Patong – and the beach may not be the prettiest in Thailand, but it’s still pretty decent.

Once you move away from Bangla Road, there are many cozy side streets with good restaurants and bars. So although Bangla Road is undoubtedly the main attraction of the city, you don’t have to spend all your time there.

I recommend staying in Patong if you want to be close to everything, and if you want to experience the nightlife of Phuket, Patong is definitely the best area.

Recommended places in Patong near the beach (I stayed here)

We stayed at👉 NAP Patong, which is within walking distance of the beach, has a nice pool area and offers clean rooms at affordable prices.

Pretty decent rooms with a small terrace – there are also more luxurious rooms in the hotel, but we preferred to stay here on the cheap.

A nice 4-star hotel that is recommended if you want to stay in a pleasant environment without breaking the budget. The center of Patong (and Bangla Road) are a 10-15 minute walk away.

See more photos and book online here. 👈

As already mentioned, we stayed at this hotel in Patong because we wanted to stay in a “nice place” but didn’t want to spend too much money on our first hotel in Thailand.

If I wanted to stay more luxuriously in Patong, I would choose hotels like the 👉 Amari Phuket or the 👉 Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong, which look fantastic.

If you are traveling to Thailand with children, looking for a more authentic Thailand or want to stay in a beautiful setting in peace and quiet, there are many better areas in Phuket.

We will now take a closer look at Karon, for example.

2. Karon – Best area for families with children

South of Patong, in the next bay on the west coast of Phuket, is Karon Beach, the perfect place for families with children on Phuket.

Karon Beach is a beautiful sandy beach that is less crowded than Patong, but still lively enough to attract tourists.

The beach is around 3 km long and is known for its clear water and fantastic sea views. There are many opportunities for snorkeling, swimming and other water sports activities.

Karon Beach is a fantastic place to stay in Phuket for families with children.

Children and adults can enjoy many activities such as boat trips, diving centers and various child-friendly attractions such as Dino Park Mini Golf, a dinosaur-themed amusement park.

Find the best hotels in Karon. 👈

Get an impression of Karon Beach here:

In addition, many hotels and resorts in Karon Beach are particularly child-friendly and have facilities such as children’s pools and play areas.

So if you are looking for accommodation in Phuket where you and your children can have fun and enjoy a cozy atmosphere, Karon Beach is a great choice.

Best places to stay in Karon

There are a number of great hotels in Karon, ranging from budget hotels with simple rooms to huge luxury resorts with multiple swimming pools.

If you are looking for a luxury hotel with good reviews, I would take a closer look at the 👉 Mandarava Resort and Spa Karon Beach.

If you are a family with children and are looking for a good base in Karon, the 👉 Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is particularly well suited to families.

As the picture above shows, you can get from the beach to the pool in just a few seconds, so everyone in the family is happy.

Find more hotels in Karon here. 👈

3. Kata – Best area for a quiet vacation

Kata Beach is a beautiful sandy beach in Phuket, known for its clear turquoise waters and white sand.

The tranquillity of the beach and the relatively peaceful surroundings make it a popular place for travelers looking for a relaxing and peaceful vacation.

Kata Beach is known as one of the best beaches in Phuket.

If you are looking for a place that is less crowded than the tourist areas of Karon and Patong, Kata Beach is a good choice.

Find the best hotels in Kata. 👈

The area is known for having a more peaceful and quiet atmosphere, and there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Phuket.

You’re still relatively close to Karon and Patong, and if you want to visit Patong, it’s just over 10 km away, which takes 20-30 minutes by cab.

If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place to stay in Phuket, Kata Beach is an excellent choice.

Please note that there is both Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach – Kata Noi is the nicer beach, but also the area with less nightlife (which is great if you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay in Phuket).

Best places to stay in Kata

As for the best hotels in Kata, there’s one place you should start your search: The 👉 Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Kata and perhaps even in Phuket.

A slightly cheaper option, which is also very suitable for families, is the 👉 Chanalai Flora Resort, where you can find family rooms with space for 2 adults and 2 children.

Find more hotels in Kata here. 👈

Are you visiting Thailand’s capital on your trip? Check out my guide to the best areas and accommodation in Bangkok.

4. Koh Yao Yai – incredible island near Phuket

Originally I wanted to focus only on Phuket cities and resort areas in this guide, but I also have to mention Koh Yao Yai.

The island can be reached via a short boat ride from Phuket and represents a more untouched side of Thailand than the “mainland”.

I had been dreaming of visiting the island (and a particular hotel, which I will discuss below) for years. So I was pretty excited when I boarded the speedboat to get from Phuket’s eastern part to Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Bay in just 20 minutes.

The island did not disappoint!

Here you will find the best hotels on Koh Yao Yai. 👈

Accommodation ranges from simple, budget huts to luxurious resorts that offer a unique blend of comfort and traditional Thai charm.

What characterizes Koh Yao Yai the most is its authenticity. As tourism has less of an impact on the island, you can gain an authentic impression of Thai culture and way of life.

The island’s beaches are less crowded and offer a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. There are also a variety of local restaurants where you can sample authentic Thai cuisine.

One of the best ways to explore the island is to rent a scooter.

This allows you to explore the island’s hidden treasures, from the lush forests and waterfalls to the tranquil mangrove forests.

The weather is tropical all year round, but for the best climate you should visit the island from November to April.

Where to stay on Koh Yao Yai

One of the reasons we came to Koh Yao Yai in the first place was our hotel.

For several years I had dreamed of staying in a hotel that I had seen in various travel videos on YouTube – and it didn’t disappoint!

We are talking about the 5-star hotel 👉 Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa.

It is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in. I can recommend it to anyone who is traveling to Thailand and wants to experience a luxurious environment.

Incidentally, I met several Danes at the hotel (I’m from Denmark myself) – including one of the country’s most famous comedians and a very well-known former Danish national soccer player.

Santhiya is a spacious complex with a small private beach, several restaurants, a large selection of room types, bungalows and complete apartments. Several room types have a swimming pool with sea view.

I “opted” for a luxurious room with a large bathtub on the balcony overlooking the sea, and it was indeed an excellent experience.

Sitting out there in the evening and watching the sunset was truly priceless.

Update spring 2024:

I was on Santhiya again! This time I stayed in one of the pool villas with sea view – here is my full review:

The hotel also has two swimming pools – a large one on the beach and an infinity pool on the hill with a restaurant.

The resort has its own shuttle bus, so even if you are staying by the infinity pool, it will only take you a few minutes to get to the beach.

You can book a speedboat transfer to the hotel’s ferry terminal, which will take you directly from Phuket to the hotel reception in just 20 minutes.

Overall, the stay was exceptional and I can only recommend it.

See more photos of the hotel and book here. 👈

There is a tiny town about 5 minutes walk down the beach, with a few restaurants and small stores, but primarily you stay at the Santhiya to enjoy the hotel.

We rented a scooter and explored the island. I can only recommend this, because you don’t have to go more than a few hundred meters away from the “city” to see a completely different side of Thailand.

Let me highlight a few other good hotels on Koh Yao Yai that might be just right for you if you are considering a trip to this fabulous vacation island.

The 👉 Elixir Koh Yao Yai looks fantastic.

The location on the same part of the island (near Phuket) is fantastic, making it easy to get to and from.

One of the big plus points of the hotel is the variety of room types – you can even get a suite with its own pool!

See more photos and book here. 👈

This allows you to tailor your experience to your budget and your wishes.

With direct access to the beach and good reviews, the Elixir Koh Yao Yai is well worth a visit if you are planning a trip to the area.

The following hotel is 👉 Koh Yao Yai Village. This place offers a unique experience with its location on the east coast of the island, directly on the beach.

One of the most striking features of the hotel is the breathtaking view of the sea cliffs, which makes a stay here something very special.

The hotel has received high ratings and is known for its quiet and idyllic atmosphere.

See more photos and book here. 👈

If you book a stay here, you can look forward to a relaxing experience surrounded by nature.

And now back to Phuket itself!

5. Phuket Town – the best current city in Phuket

Phuket Town is the largest city on Phuket and the capital of Phuket province. The city is known for its history, architecture and culture.

Although there is no direct access to fantastic beaches in Phuket Town, there is still plenty to experience and discover. It therefore deserves a place in this travel guide.

Phuket Town is different from all the other areas and towns mentioned in this guide.

Still, it’s worth a mention as there’s plenty to see, and if you have time to stay in several places in Phuket, you might want to spend a few days in Phuket Town.

One of the most notable features of Phuket Town is the beautiful blend of Chinese and Portuguese architecture.

Sehen Sie hier die besten Hotels in Phuket Town. 👈

Everywhere, especially in the old town of Phuket, you can see many restored buildings from the colonial era, which today house galleries, cafés, stores and numerous temples and palaces.

Phuket Town is also known for its annual “Phuket Old Town Festival” in February.

Here you can experience authentic Thai culture, listen to traditional music and watch colorful parades and performances.

I experienced this myself when I was in Phuket recently and it was a really nice experience.

It may not be the flashiest area on Phuket, but you should spend a few nights here and get to know a different side of the island. Or plan a visit to the town into your Phuket itinerary.

6. Kamala – Stay near Surin Beach (best beach in Phuket?)

Kamala is a famous place and resort on the west coast of Phuket, known for its beautiful long sandy beach and clear blue sea.

The town offers a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere that attracts families and couples.

Kamala beach is wide and long, and even in high season it’s easy to find a place to settle down.

Find the best hotels in Kamala. 👈

Kamala Beach is beautiful, but one of the advantages of staying in Kamala is its convenient location near Surin Beach, which is only 2-3 km away.

See Surin Beach on Google Maps here. For more beach recommendations in Phuket, I recommend this 7-day Phuket itinerary.

Surin Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket, with crystal-clear water and many opportunities for water sports and snorkeling.

When you stay in Kamala, you are close to a beautiful beach and have many stores and restaurants nearby.

At the same time, you can quickly reach Surin Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket.

Kamala offers a good mix of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and budget accommodation, so there is something for every style and budget.

Best places to stay in Kamala

If you want to stay in one of the better hotels in Kamala, but don’t need absolute luxury, the 👉 Novotel Phuket Kamala is a good choice.

As the photo above shows, the hotel is located in the “last” part of Kamala Beach, so you stay right on the beach in the undisturbed zone.

Get the best tariff online here. 👈

If you are traveling to Phuket as a family and would like to stay in Kamala, you should take a look at the popular family hotel 👉 Sunwing Kamala Beach.

7. Nai Harn – Hidden gem in Phuket

Nai Harn is a secret and often overlooked area on the southern tip of Phuket.

It is one of the most remote places on the island, but there are still plenty of things to see and do if you decide to stay here.

Nai Harn is located in the southern part of the island, only 7-8 km from the Kata area mentioned above.

Find the best hotels in Nai Harn. 👈

The beach in Nai Harn consists of white sand and the clearest turquoise blue water.

It is quieter than other famous beaches in Phuket, making it ideal for an authentic and peaceful vacation experience.

Overall, Nai Harn offers a different vacation experience to what you would normally find on the west coast of Phuket – the perfect destination for travelers looking for a peaceful village setting with good food and shopping.

A somewhat hidden gem in Phuket, with a completely different atmosphere to the best-known resorts.

Best places to stay in Nai Harn

As already mentioned, the area is quite untouristy, but there are still some excellent hotels in Nai Harn.

One of the most spectacular accommodations in this area is undoubtedly the 👉 The Nai Harn, where you have an excellent view of the beach from the restaurant and pool area.

Find more hotels in Nai Harn here. 👈

8. Rawai – Local charm and easy access to the nearby islands

Very close to Nai Harn and with a similar atmosphere we find Rawai Beach.

It is located in the south-eastern part of the island.

It is known for its harbor, from which tourists can explore the islands south of Phuket by speedboat or longtail boat (perhaps a trip to the Phi Phi Islands?).

See the best hotels in Rawai here. 👈

The narrow beach with chalky white sand and the crystal-clear Andaman Sea in the background is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a peaceful stay.

Rawai is very similar to Nai Harn – both places have a peaceful atmosphere and reasonable hotel prices.

However, compared to Nai Harn, Rawai has more facilities; there are many resorts with swimming pools, beachfront restaurants, stores and markets with freshly cut fruit and local produce.

Rawai is also popular with expats, digital nomads and people doing 👉 volunteer work in Phuket.

Best places to stay in Rawai

Rawai invites you to relax in hotels where you can enjoy a drink by the pool and unwind. A hotel like the 👉 Navatara Phuket could be an excellent choice.

Find many more hotels in Rawai here. 👈

9. Bangtao – Fantastic beach near the airport

Bangtao is one of the most popular beaches on Phuket and one of the best places to stay on the island.

Bangtao is located in the north-western part of Phuket, only 15 minutes by car from the airport.

The more than 6 km long beach with its white sand and turquoise blue water is ideal for anyone who wants to relax on the beach and stroll along the beautiful coastline.

Find the best hotels in Bangtao. 👈

An ideal place to stay in Phuket for those who want to be close to a very long and beautiful beach and at the same time close to Phuket Airport.

From Phuket, you can easily travel inland to popular destinations such as Khao Lak, Khao Sok or the Krabi region with its famous beaches of Ao Nang and Railay.

Best places to stay in Bangtao

One of the most beautiful hotels in Bangtao is the 5-star hotel 👉 SAii Laguna Phuket, which is located directly on the beautiful sandy beach.

You should book there if you want to stay in one of the best hotels in Phuket.

See more photos and book online here. 👈

If you want to stay a little cheaper, you should consider a hotel like the 👉 Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa, which also has a beautiful swimming pool on the beach.

Find more hotels in Bangtao here. 👈

I hope you found this detailed guide to the best areas and accommodation in Phuket helpful. If you have any questions about Phuket or traveling to Thailand, please drop us a comment below.

👉 Read more Thailand travel guides here.

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