Finding the right hotel in Phuket can be a challenging task, and getting the right place in the right location, if you have never been to Phuket, can be daunting, as it can and will impact your holidays entirely. So there are four things we recommend you sort out before starting:
1) When is the best time to visit?
When is the best time to visit Phuket? When are the low season, the high season and the peak season?
2) Where should I book my hotel? Which beach is best for you? Busy or quiet? Close to party and shopping or long, quiet stretches of sand?
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.
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. There are also some beautiful heritage hotels in Phuket Town! 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 is 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.
Choosing the Right Hotel on The Right Beach
Because choosing the right location is so important for a great holiday, we dedicated an entire, easy-to-read section about it:
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.
Here are some of the best hotels in Phuket that we personally enjoyed the most. We stayed in these hotels without informing them in advance, so our experience was exactly like any other guest, and we can recommend each one without hesitation ... Read More
Finding the right family resort in Phuket is as challenging as it is important. Phuket has a great range of hotels that appeal to families, from guesthouses to luxury beach resorts. Read More
Kata Beach is one of the best spots in Phuket for families with young children. The beach itself has calm, shallow waters most of the year, and the area around it offers plenty of kid-friendly restaurants, Read More
When travelling to such a beautiful tropical island with so many white sandy beaches, one could wonder why would you care about a hotel with a swimming pool. Read More
Karon Beach is a 3-kilometre stretch of sand on Phuket's west coast, quieter than neighbouring Patong but with enough restaurants and shops to keep families entertained. Read More
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.
Willy Thuan is the founder of Phuket 101, which was first published in 2011.
After travelling through 40+ countries and working with Club Med and Expedia, he settled in Phuket in 1994. He shares real travel insights with original photography and videos from across Thailand.View Author posts
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. There are also some beautiful heritage hotels in Phuket Town! Picking the right location in Phuket for your hotel is one of the most important decisions you must make.
