How to find the right hotel in Phuket?
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Finding the right Phuket hotel is a challenging task, and getting the right hotel in the right location if you have never been to Phuket before can be daunting as it can, and will, impact your holidays entirely. So there are a few things to sort out before you start: When will you come, where will you stay, how much do you want to spend, what kind of traveller are you?
4 Steps to finding the right hotel in Phuket:
1. WHEN? 
When is the best time to visit Phuket? When is the low season, the high season and the peak season? | 2. WHERE? 
Which beach is best for you? Busy or quiet? Close to party and shopping or long quiet stretches of sand? | 3. WHO? 
Are you here to party? to explore? on honeymoon or with your kids and family? | 4. HOW MUCH? 
If you travel with a small budget, this section has budget hotels, hostels and apartments. |
FIRST: When do you plan to visit Phuket?
- During the high season (December to April), the south of Phuket is very busy, so if you want to party and don’t mind busy beaches and resort towns: go south; if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, stay north.
- During the low season, the north will be very quiet, and the beaches will often look neglected. Beaches in the south will be quieter than in the high season and, therefore, will feel lively without being crowded.
SECOND: Where should I book my hotel?
Each beach has its unique character and atmosphere. The beach, the sand, the setting and the facilities: restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and how busy the beach is. And there are some beautiful heritage hotels in Phuket Town too! Picking the right location in Phuket for your hotel is one of the most important decisions you must make.
The beaches in the south of Phuket are the most beautiful, with white sand and shallow waters, but they can become crowded in the high season: Patong, Kata, Karon, Nai Harn and even Kamala beaches.
The beaches in the north are always more peaceful. The sand is a little less soft and the water less shallow, but they are still wonderful beaches. The more you go north, the quieter they will be: Bang Tao starts to be popular but is still long enough not to feel crowded. Mai Khao is very quiet and has five or six superb hotels. Nai Yang and Naithon are superb but underrated beaches near the airport.
Phuket Town is popular for its old streets lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses. You will find a few heritage hotels and a lot of small guesthouses. Note that Phuket Town is far from swimmable beaches, maybe 10 kilometres.
Because choosing the right location is so important for a great holiday, we dedicated an entire, easy-to-read page about it:
Check Phuket hotels on a map
THIRD: What kind of traveller are you?
Everyone is different and wants the best hotel to fit their personal preference and lifestyle. Luckily, Phuket can truly fit everyone’s style, and hotels are often dedicated to families, couples, honeymooners, groups of friends, party-goers and solo travellers.
FOURTH: What is your budget?
Phuket has an incredibly wide range of hotels, from luxury resorts to hostels, guesthouses and vacation rentals. If you travel on a budget, here are some great value for money hotels in Phuket that won’t break the bank.
