Where to Stay in Phuket (Best Areas & Hotels + Map)
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Yes, Phuket is an island. But it’s a really huge one. Phuket’s area is almost 10 times the size of the island of Manhattan! So choosing where you stay is a crucial decision if you want a good trip.
I visit Phuket multiple times per year and have stayed in many Phuket hotels. Read on and I’ll help you find the perfect spot for your stay.
If you can afford it, the infinity pool villas at Paresa Resort Phuket (pictured above) are my top overall recommendation in Phuket. Paresa is near Kamala beach, which is my personal favorite area in Phuket, and the service is next level.
Alternatively, The Le Meridien Phuket Karon has a perfect location right on the beach in Karon, an underrated beach town that’s also centrally located.
You’ve got more options to consider, though, so next I’ll break down the pros and cons of the 9 best areas of Phuket. First up, though, is a quick list of my top suggested hotels:
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Best Places to Stay in Phuket
Short on time? Here are my top Phuket hotels, by category:
- 🏆 Best Overall – Paresa Resort Phuket
- 📍 Best Location – Ratana Platinum Resort Kamala
- 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Ayara Kamala or Mandarava Resort
- 🧍 Adults-Only – Chanalai Romantica Resort or Sole Mio Boutique Hotel & Wellness
- 👪 For Families – Avista Grande Karon
- 📷 Most Instagrammable – Keemala or The Nai Harn
- 🏊 Best Infinity Pool Villas – Paresa Resort Phuket
- ✨ For Marriott Bonvoy Members – The Le Meridien Phuket Karon
- 🍹 Near Patong’s Nightlife – Patong Heights or Kalima Resort
- 🏘️ Best in Old Town – Courtyard Phuket Town
- 🛏️ On a Budget – The Memory at On On Hotel or Hotel Clover Patong
Traveling around Thailand? FYI, I also have guides to where to stay in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai. Bookmark them now!
Ok, next let’s explore my honest pros (and cons) of each area of Phuket:
9 Best Areas to Stay in Phuket
I think many travelers don’t realize just how freakin’ huge Phuket is. On other Thai islands, it’s reasonable to “see” the whole island on a single trip. That’s not possible on Phuket, unless you want to spend your whole vacation driving.
Instead, I recommend smartly picking a base area that checks most of your boxes. Then, strategically plan a few day trips from there. Remember, you can always come back (and many Phuket visitors do!).
Kamala
👉 My Personal Favorite Area | ✨ Best Kamala Hotels: Paresa Resort Phuket • Ratana Platinum • Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa • Glam Habitat • Sunprime Kamala Beach
Kamala is definitely not the most popular part of Phuket, but that’s exactly why I love it! It’s a quieter beach town that has a laid back vibe. You won’t find pumping nightlife here. But it’s a charming beach village that is probably closer to what you imagine Thailand to be like than the more popular towns in Phuket.
If you prefer a resort-style hotel, check out Ratana Platinum Resort or Sunprime Kamala Beach. For apartment-style living, check out Glam Habitat.
For a more luxury stay, consider renting a villa at one of the nearby cliffs. We booked a private pool villa at the stunning Paresa Resort for Clara’s birthday one year, and our whole group just loved it. It wasn’t cheap, but it was totally worth it for the views and the 5 star service.
If that’s out of budget, Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa also offers luxurious villas with incredible views at slightly more reasonable prices.
Other luxury hotels popular with couples here include The Naka Phuket (which has beach access) or the Instagram-sensation Keemala.
Pros of Staying in Kamala:
- Fewer crowds, but still enough amenities
- Relatively quiet, peaceful, and laid-back
- Close enough to Patong that you can take a Grab or taxi there
Cons of Staying in Kamala:
- Beaches are nice enough, but not the prettiest or most crystal clear in Thailand
- Not the most modern part of Phuket
📚 Kamala Mini Guide 📚
My Favorite Area to Stay
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Paresa Resort Phuket • Ratana Platinum • Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa • Glam Habitat • Sunprime Kamala Beach
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Kamala
🍽️ Where to Eat – Fino Restaurant ($$), Casa Boho ($$$), Lillo Island ($$), Supparat Restaurant ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – Hideout Bar, Kho Kee Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Kamala Beach, Laem Sing Beach Viewpoint, Bang Wan Waterfall
Patong
👉 Best Area for Nightlife | ✨ Best Patong Hotels: Patong Heights • Kalima Resort • Hotel Clover Patong • Nicky’s Handlebar
I’ll be honest: Patong really isn’t my cup of tea. But it’s the busiest area of Phuket, and probably the most popular area of Phuket for first-timers. Of all the beach towns in Phuket, Patong definitely offers the widest array of restaurants, bars, and entertainment options. I would say it’s worth considering if you prioritize nightlife and don’t mind the noise.
For groups or couples who want to be near Patong but away from the noise and nightlife, consider the highly rated Kalima Resort or the suites-style rooms at Patong Heights.
Prefer to stay in the middle of it all? Book a room at the reasonably-priced but well rated Hotel Clover Patong, which is right by the beach and offers a rooftop pool.
For the budget crowd, Nicky’s Handlebar is a boutique just 7 minutes walk from the beach.
Pros of Staying in Patong:
- Busiest nightlife area of Phuket
- Centrally located between other beach towns like Kamala and Karon
- Lots of restaurants, cafes, street food, and bars
- Patong beach is convenient and decent enough
Cons of Staying in Patong:
- Noisy and crowded
- Red light attractions might put off some families (avoid Bangla Walking Street if concerned)
📚 Patong Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Nightlife
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Patong Heights • Kalima Resort • Hotel Clover Patong • Nicky’s Handlebar
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Patong
🍽️ Where to Eat – La Piccola ($$$), The Place Phuket ($$), Phuket Thai Bistro ($$), Madras Darbar Indian ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Bud’s Beach Bar, Molly’s Tavern, Bangla Walking Street
🎟️ Top Attractions – Bangla Walking Street, Simon Cabaret, Malin Plaza night market, Flying Hanuman Zipline, Patong beach
Karon
👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Karon Hotels: Mandarava Resort • Avista Grande Phuket • The Le Meridien Phuket Karon
Traveling with children? I suggest staying in Karon (or its neighbor just to the south, Kata). Karon is a more relaxed area, with a massive three-and-a-half kilometer long stretch of public beach. There is plenty of space for sand, and most of the beachfront is still undeveloped (thanks in part to the beachfront Khlong Bangla Park).
Karon is a good beach to enjoy sports like paragliding, surfing, jet skiing or volleyball. It is westward facing, meaning perfect for sunsets. The waves are strong, sometimes too much for swimming.
The Le Meridien Phuket is perfectly right on a private cove to the north, and a solid choice for families. Or, for epic views, stay at Mandarava Resort. Another solid mid-range option is the Avista Grande Phuket.
Pros of Staying in Karon:
- Convenient location for trips to Patong and Old Town Phuket
- Large wide beach with lots of activities
- More relaxed, quiet vibe
Cons of Staying in Karon:
- Strong waves can mean red-flag (no-swim) days
- Jellyfish can sometimes be an issue
📚 Karon Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Families
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Mandarava Resort • Avista Grande Phuket • The Le Meridien Phuket Karon
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Karon
🍽️ Where to Eat – Cappadocia Turkish Restaurant ($$), Jay’s Kitchen ($$), Kalika ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Fah Bar Music Club, SET Taina Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Khlong Bangla Park, Dino Park Mini Golf, Paragliding, Wat Karon
Kata & Kata Noi
👉 Best Area For Beautiful Beaches | ✨ Best Kata Hotels: Chanalai Romantica Resort – Adults Only • OZO Phuket • The Color Kata
Just to the south of Karon lie the smaller beach communities of Kata and Kata Noi. Kata is a great area to stay in Phuket for couples and families seeking a more relaxed beach town vibe. It’s home to a small resort town situated around Kata Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in Phuket and one of the handful of places you’ll see surfers on the island.
Considering its small size, Kata packs in quite a bit of amenities, including a diverse array of restaurants and accommodation options for every budget.
For families, check out the kid-friendly play-zones at OZO Phuket or the villa-style accommodation of Blu Pine Villa.
For couples, the Chanalai Romantica Resort is adults-only. Or you could also opt to stay at the smaller Kata Noi Beach, which is close enough to the main conveniences of Kata but offers a more secluded jungle feel. Check out The Shore At Katathani – Adult Only or Katathani Resort.
For the budget crowd, The Color Kata is a highly rated boutique.
Pros of Staying in Kata:
- Nice public beach with smooth white sand, plus access to the smaller nearby Kata Noi Beach
- Beautiful sunsets
- A wide variety of accommodation options
Cons of Staying in Kata:
- Beach can get crowded during high season (November – January)
- Jellyfish can be an issue
- Rip tides may mean “red flag” (no-swim) days during low season
📚 Kata Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Beautiful Beaches
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Chanalai Romantica Resort – Adults Only • OZO Phuket • The Color Kata
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Kata
🍽️ Where to Eat – Chekhoff ($$), Chai Thai Food ($), KRI burger & bowl ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Rak Khun Bar, Mustache Bar & Grill
🎟️ Top Attractions – Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, The Big Buddha, Rock Beach Swing
Phuket Town
👉 Best Budget Area | ✨ Best Phuket Old Town Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town • Chamemon Bed • The Memory at On On Hotel
Phuket Town is the closest thing to a “city” on the island, and is a good place to stay if you’re on a budget. At the center is Phuket’s small Old Town, a historical area filled with Sino-Portuguese style buildings. Even if not staying in the Old Town, it’s worth a visit, especially on Sunday night to see it lit up for the famous Sunday Walking Street Market.
Accommodations in Phuket Town are a fraction of the cost of Phuket’s beach towns, and you can get a lot higher quality for the same price point.
The big downside, of course, is that you’ll be quite some distance from the beaches. If you can get over that, however, you’ll have lots of affordable hotels, restaurants, bars, and spas at your disposal.
I recently stayed in the Courtyard Phuket Town, and was very impressed by the quality to value ratio. It had a massive breakfast, a fantastic pool sporting views of the mountains, and super clean modern rooms. It’s walking distance to Old Town. Overall, it’s a good choice for families or groups on a budget. It’s also bookable on Marriott if you’re a Bonvoy member.
On even more of a budget than that? Check out the affordable but stylish rooms at Chamemon Bed or The Memory at On On Hotel.
Pros of Staying in Phuket Town:
- Affordable accommodation options
- Lots of restaurants and shopping
- Lots of locals creates a more authentically Thai vibe
Cons of Staying in Phuket Town:
- Far from the beaches!
📚 Phuket Town Mini Guide
Best Budget Area
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town • Chamemon Bed • The Memory at On On Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Phuket Town
🍽️ Where to Eat – 1000009 Thai Noodle ($), hana cafe + ramen ($$), Day & Night of Phuket ($$), Raya Restaurant ($$$), Amore Mexican Tapas ($$), Pots & Pans Restaurant ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Eden’s Phuket Old Town, The Library Phuket, BRIQ Bar, Bebop Live Music Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Phuket Old Town, Sunday Walking Street Market, Khao Rang viewpoint, Thai Hua Museum, Blue Elephant Cooking School
Mai Khao
👉 Best Area For a Peace & Nature | ✨ Best Mai Khao Hotels: Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao • JW Marriott Phuket • Renaissance Phuket
Ok, now we’re getting in the “hidden gems” part of this guide. Situated at the very northern tip of Phuket, above the airport, Mai Khao is a super chill beach area home to several resorts. Almost half of the resorts here are Marriott branded, so this is a good area to stay if you are a Bonvoy member.
Mai Khao beach seemingly goes on forever. When I stayed here at the new Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao, I managed to get my 10,000 daily steps just by taking a sunrise and sunset walk each day. And I saw barely anyone else on my walks except for a ton of cute little crabs. It was also really cool to watch the planes coming in and landing at the airport (though we were thankfully far enough that noise wasn’t an issue).
There isn’t a lot to do in Mai Khao besides the beach, but that’s kinda the whole point of staying here!
Pros of Staying in Mai Khao:
- One of the least crowded beaches in Phuket
- Close to Phuket International Airport
Cons of Staying in Mai Khao:
- Not a lot to do beside chill at the beach
- A bit far from the populated areas and attraction of Phuket
📚 Mai Khao / Naiyang Beach Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Peace & Nature
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao • JW Marriott Phuket • Renaissance Phuket
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Mai Khao / Naiyang Beach
🍽️ Where to Eat – The White Tree Restaurant ($$), Maikhao Memory ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Duke’s Bar & Restaurant, Sand Box Beachfront Bar & Eatery
🎟️ Top Attractions – Mai Khao Beach, Soi Dog Foundation, Splash Jungle Water Park
Bang Tao
👉 Best Area For a Beach Resorts | ✨ Best Bang Tao Hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket • Dusit Thani Laguna • The Pavilions Phuket • Hilton Garden Inn Phuket • Pai Tan Villas • Sole Mio (Wellness / Adults Only)
If you like resort life, Bang Tao is a good choice for your base in Phuket. Bang Tao is situated south of the airport on Phuket’s western shore. The area is home to the large Laguna and Bang Tao beaches, as well as a wide variety of resorts.
You’ll find resorts spanning from high end luxury options like the Banyan Tree Phuket and the Dusit Thani Laguna to more affordable beachfront hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn Phuket.
Want a reasonably priced infinity pool experience? Check out the pool villas at The Pavilions.
Want a romantic retreat free from children? You might like Sole Mio, an adults-only wellness resort.
Pros of Staying in Bang Tao:
- Lots of resorts to choose from
- Central location, convenient to the airport but also beaches to south
- Enough dining and drinking options, but still relatively quiet
Cons of Staying in Bang Tao:
- Parts of the beach near resorts can get crowded
📚 Bang Tao Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Luxury
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Pavilions Phuket • Hilton Garden Inn Phuket • Pai Tan Villas • Sole Mio (Wellness / Adults Only)
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Bang Tao & Surin
🍽️ Where to Eat – Golden Fish Seafood Restaurant ($$), The Beach Cuisine ($$), Fire & Smoke ($$$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Pine Beach Bar, Smigo’s Bar & Restaurant, BrewBridge, Maya Beach Club
🎟️ Top Attractions – Bang Tao Beach, Banana Beach, Surin Beach, Wat Phra Thong, Old Phuket Farm
Siray
👉 Best Area For Convenient Luxury | ✨ Best Siray Bay Hotels: The Westin Siray Bay • Sinae Phuket
Siray Bay is a small overlooked area of beachfront very near Phuket Town. Clara and I spent a few days staying here at The Westin Siray Bay. We really liked the incredible views and the easy access to the dining and nightlife options of Phuket town.
The views from the pools are incredible, and our room even had a private pool. The hotel was a little bit dated in places, but the pricing reflects that and we think it’s a good value option in the luxury category. For a similar but newer property, check out the nearby Sinae Phuket.
If you want to stay near town, but can’t bear the thought of foregoing the beach, Siray is a good middle ground option.
Pros of Staying in Siray:
- Close to amenities of Phuket Town (but still on beach)
- Epic views over the bay (and the Westin’s rooms angle westward, perfect for sunset)
Cons of Staying in Siray:
- Beach is not the prettiest, particularly at low tide
- Not as many restaurants immediately nearby (though easy to take a Grab or taxi to town)
📚 Siray Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Convenient Luxury
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Westin Siray Bay • Sinae Phuket
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Siray Bay
🍽️ Where to Eat – Green Bar Phuket ($$), Prego by the Beach ($$$)
🍸 Where to Drink – The CoCo Chill Beach Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Sea Gypsy Village, Sunrise Beach, Koh Siray Temple
Rawai
👉 Best Area For a Local Vibe | ✨ Best Rawai Hotels: The Nai Harn • Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort • Lady Naya Villas • Navatara Phuket Resort
At the very southern tip of Phuket you’ll find Rawai beach. The location is a bit inconvenient to the rest of the island (particularly the airport). But if you want a more relaxed local vibe, and like the thought of being surrounded by as many Thai tourists as foreigners, this is a good place to stay.
You can find relatively affordable accommodation in Rawai, like the highly rated Lady Naya Villas or the surprisingly luxurious Navatara Phuket Resort.
Also nearby is the famous Nai Han Beach, which I’ve actually never visited but a lot of people swear is one of the prettiest on the island. It’s also home to The Nai Harn, one of Phuket’s most Instagram-famous 5-star resorts.
Pros of Staying in Rawai:
- Lots of nature and cliffside viewpoints nearby
- Chill fishing village vibes
- Decently affordable guesthouses and villas
Cons of Staying in Rawai:
- (Very) long way to the airport
- Beach is not the best for swimming
📚 Rawai Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for a Local Vibe
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – The Nai Harn • Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort • Lady Naya Villas • Navatara Phuket Resort
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Rawai
🍽️ Where to Eat – Vida Nova Phuket ($$), Locanda Del Pescatore ($$$), Green Tamarind Kitchen ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Happy Jack Gastrobar, The Clubhouse Sports Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Nai Harn Beach, Rawai Beach, Windmill Viewpoint, Black Rock Viewpoint, Boat tour to Coral Island
Tips for Staying in Phuket
Decide if You Want Views or Walkability (You Can Only Pick One!)
Phuket has kilometers of coastline with soaring cliffs, perfect for villa-style rooms overlooking the sea. If the thought of your own private infinity pool sounds great, check out the villas at Paresa Resort or search Phuket villas on VRBO.
The downside of booking a villa? Often it means you won’t have direct beach access (since you’re up on a rocky cliff), and it almost always means you will have to drive or take a taxi to get anywhere.
Ultimately it’s a choice: walkability or epic views. You can really only pick one.
Plan How You’ll Get Around Phuket
Phuket is huge, and one of the biggest challenges of visiting is getting around. There isn’t a great public transportation network, and walkability isn’t great outside the beach towns.
Your best options to get around Phuket:
- Use the app “Grab” (Thailand’s version of “Uber”) – this will let you hail taxis or cars. Just note that wait times can sometimes be long, especially if staying outside the towns.
- Rent a car or scooter – this is great if you’re comfortable driving (just be safe!). You can search for rental cars in Phuket on Discover Cars.
- Hire a private driver – search Phuket private drivers here.
- Book tours with hotel pickup – most tours to the nearby islands and elsewhere will pick you up at your hotel. Search popular Phuket tours here.
Plan for a Long Transfer from the Airport to Your Phuket Hotel
The Phuket airport is located at the northwestern corner of the island. Unless you are staying in Mai Khao or Bang Tao, you should build in lots of time for your airport transfer so you don’t miss your flight.
From Phuket International to Kata Beach, for example, can easily take 90 minutes or more!
Consider Adding on a Visit to Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai
Ok, nothing against Phuket. It’s convenient because it has an airport. And there are lots of accommodation options, so I get why it is popular.
BUT, in my personal opinion, Phuket is actually the least interesting of Thailand’s many amazing islands. The smaller islands have just so much more charm and authenticity to them.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go far from Phuket to find two of my favorites: Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi. If you have an extra couple days, I highly recommend taking the 20 minute ferries and spending a couple of nights to experience a different Thai island vacation.
Clara and I recently stayed in the stunning beachside boutique Cape Kudu Hotel on Koh Yao Noi, and it was just incredible. I highly recommend it for couples or anyone looking for a quiet retreat.
Or Consider Visiting Khao Lak Instead
Another more relaxed alternative to Phuket is to Khao Lak, a jungly beachside area on the mainland about an hour’s drive north of Phuket International (Khao Lak is actually closer to the airport than some of the beach towns on Phuket itself).
There you can find many more affordable and relaxed beach resorts. Clara and I spent two weeks at the JW Marriott Khao Lak, which has a massive pool that winds through the whole resort, including many swim-up suites. Families with school-age children will love it.
Khao Lak is also a good base for day trips to Khao Sok National Park, which is a must visit for nature lovers. The lake there is just stunning!
If You’re With a Group, Hire a Speedboat for a Day
Traveling to Phuket with a family or group of friends? A super fun thing to do is to rent a speedboat for the day to go out and visit the many smaller islands near Phuket. Many of these islands can only be visited by boat, and they are so much more pretty and interesting than anything on the main island.
I recently took a group from this blog out on this 5 star boat tour. You can customize the tour to visit the places that are most interesting to your group. You can also bring your own food and drinks onboard and store them in the cooler.
The service is so excellent that it’s actually the #1 rated thing to do in Phuket according to TripAdvisor. Sure, it’s a little pricey, but if you’ve got a group and can split the cost, it’s worth it!
👉 Read Next: What to Pack for Thailand
FAQs about Phuket Hotels
Where should I avoid staying in Phuket?
Safety-wise, all of Phuket is safe to stay and there are no “bad” areas. But, Phuket is big, and staying too far from the beach or airport might be problematic for some. Overall, stick to any of the areas I recommend above and you’ll be fine!
What part of Phuket has the best beaches?
Kata and Karon are good areas to stay for beautiful beaches, while still having access to dining and nightlife options. For a more secluded beach stay, Mai Khao is beautiful and the beach is largely empty even during high season.
How do I get around in Phuket?
Phuket is very large, and public transportation options are limited. Your hotel can call you a taxi, or you can use the Grab application (which functions similarly to Uber). Just be forewarned that it can take over an hour to get between parts of Phuket.
Is it better to stay in Phuket or Krabi?
Personally, I prefer staying in Krabi (specifically, Ao Nang Beach) over Phuket because it is smaller and the beaches are nicer in my opinion. Both are good bases for taking day trips to the smaller islands, and Phuket does offer a larger airport and more accommodation options.
***
I hope this guide helped you figure out where to stay for your trip!
Traveling around Thailand? Read my guides to where to stay in Bangkok and where to stay in Chiang Mai next!
Hi, we are a couple in our 50’s visiting Phuket for 9 days. I want a big resort style hotel with all facilities (bar pool, gym etc) with amazing views but prefer to be walking distance to restaurants, nice beaches, shops. Where is a good area to stay? Thanks.
Hi Maryanne!
I’d say Kata or Karon are probably the best areas. Here are some suggestions that I think are close to your requirements. Just note that views vs walkability is always a trade-off in Phuket. The best views come from hotels on hills or the cliffs, but then that naturally makes walkability harder. Still, I think there are some options here that might work:
In Kata:
–Chanalai Flora Resort in Kata – great location in Kata near dining. The Deluxe rooms are high enough to get some pretty decent views still.
–Chanalai Romantica Resort in Kata – should mostly meet those requirements, except for views you’ll need to specifically get one of the top level rooms
–The SIS Kata Resort – an infinity pool with epic views. Walkable to dining in Kata but note it is a steep incline to get up to the hotel.
In Karon:
–Paradox Resort Phuket – close to the beach and to the main action. Get a sea view room for views.
–Pullman Phuket Karon – about a 15-20 minute walk to restaurants, but the sea view suites are nice and the resort may be the style you’re looking for.
Any other questions let me know. Hope you enjoy Phuket!
-Nate
hello
I’m a mother with a 14 yesrs old son and I don’t know wtich the best hotel to stay in Phuket because we want visit several islands and beachs by boat. Can you help?
Hi Maria – you can take boat trips during the day to visit the islands, which are all on the eastern side of Phuket. So I’d recommend somewhere like Phuket Town or Siray Bay if boat trips are your priority. Though realize that means not staying directly on the beach. If you want to also stay on a nice beach, consider Kamala, but just realize you’ll have to drive a bit further to the boat each time. If you give me price range, dates, and preferences, I can make more granular suggestions.
I hope you enjoy Thailand!
Where to stay in Chian Mae ?
Here is my guide to where to stay in Chiang Mai: https://travellemming.com/where-to-stay-in-chiang-mai/
Hi I’m looking for some advice. I’m wanting to take my 2 boys age 11 & 13 to Thailand from 27th December for 2 weeks & I have zero idea on where to start.. it almost feels overwhelming. I don’t know what I want to stay in yet but i do know I’d like us to be really active each day. I’d like to be somewhere central where I can walk the beach and book excursions easily each day to see many islands .. but again not sure what islands I’m looking for. We would love to do elephant sanctuary and anything to do with animals. Some nice restraunts maybe, abit of culture, beaches. Really trying to figure out where we need to be before we go so any advice would be great x also your blog is great really facinating
Hi Georgina – I would recommend Karon or Kata.
In Karon, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort might be a good choice. Only downside (or upside, depending on how you look at it), is that it is set off in a bit of a private cove so not as directly walkable to Karon town. Closer to town, maybe check out Beyond Karon.
In Kata, Katathani Phuket Beach Resort might be a fit as it’s on the beach, family-friendly, and in a walkable location.
In terms of tours you mention, many of these can be booked in Phuket (especially for such a long trip). For island tours, the big ones are the Phi Phi islands tour and then a James Bond Island/Hong island tour.
Bear in mind that Phuket is large and spread out so no matter where you stay, you may be moving around a bit. Download the Grab application, which works like Uber.
Any other questions just let me know. Thank you for reading Travel Lemming!
Thanks for that site Nate.
Any thoughts of Panwa beach (area) i understand it’s on the other side of the Island very remote and not much to do there …
Do you think its not that good area for tourists ?
Thanks..
I haven’t spent time on Panwa beach personally because I’ve heard the beach isn’t as swimmable but I also don’t have first-hand experience of that. If you go and enjoy it, let us know. It is far from the airport but it’s actually fairly developed. I know there are a handful of resorts and hotels down there.
Hi Nate,
Appreciate the blog, very insightful.
Weird question, when travelling around phuket to the many locations. Specifically catching the ferry to either Ko Yao Yai or Ko Yao Noi. Where does the ferry leave from? And what do people usually do with their luggage? (we’ll be carrying a suitcase, cabin case & backpack each). Do they just lump it around everywhere or is there like lock ups anywhere which you can dump large items for a short while?
Thank you.
Easiest for most is from Bang Rong pier. They will collect your larger luggage before boarding and put it in a set space. I did the trip once with even more luggage than you are saying and, though I was worried, it was ok in the end.
Hi Nate, we are a couple in our early 60’s. is the area of Bangtao Beach a good place to stay for 2 weeks? What do you think of the Sunwing resort? We plan on relaxing by the pool or beach, eating at some nice restaurants and going to the elephant sanctuary. Thank you 😀
Yes, I think you’ll enjoy Bang Tao if you want a beach resort style trip. I haven’t stayed at the Sunwing Bangtao Beach Resort personally, but it has solid reviews and a good location.
What do you think of Melia Mia Khao?
I haven’t stayed at that particular property, but Mai Khao is a great area if you want more of a tropical retreat. There isn’t as much going on up there on the north of the island, but that’s what makes it nice. It’s less crowded and very tropical. You’re also close to the airport, which is convenient.
thanks for your guide. Considering a stay at Anantara vacation club in Mai Khao. We have kids 17,19 and 20 – bit worried they will be bored! Is it all very ‘resort-focussed’ or are there any rustic beach bars and more authentic Thai restaurants in the area – or a 10 minute Grab ride away?
Mai Khao is very far from just about everything. There are a very few small restaurants in the town, as well as the restaurants in the various hotels along the beach. In general, though, it’s an area for rest and relaxation. You might check with the hotel to see if they have an activity schedule that could keep the kids busy. Or you could book group tours for them to stay busy.
Hi Nate, do you have any recommendations for Ao Nang and where to stay for families? Also any other tips on Ao Nang! Love your blogs, so helpful!
Hi Amy!
I have stayed at the Centara Ao Nang and really liked it. Very family-oriented. I think it’s a really good mid-range choice for families. Right on the beach road, but at the end of the boardwalk where it’s a little more quiet. Lots of pools and slides for kids. Just steps from a pretty swimmable beach, and also from the boats to Railay Beach (must visit!) and the islands. You can easily walk into town from the hotel in just 10 minutes or so. Decent enough breakfast buffet. I would definitely stay there again. For families, I don’t know if there is a hotel with a better location in Ao Nang.
Tips for Ao Nang – be sure to get out on the water as much as you can. Can’t recommend the short long tail boat ride to Railay enough. Just got to the long tail boat office (where the main road meets the beach), buy a ticket, and go for an afternoon. Be sure to walk the kilometer to the rear beach at Railay (don’t just stay at the one the long tail boats drop you off at!). Also you can go take organized day tours to visit the various other islands (Phi Phi tours are the most famous, but they take you to multiple islands).
Thank you for reading Travel Lemming and I hope you enjoy Thailand!
-Nate
Hi Nate
We are travelling to Phuket in March for approx 7 nights 3 couples for a 60th birthday. Thinking maybe a 2 centre resort holiday in Phuket. We like beautiful beaches nice pool areas a bit of shopping too. Enjoy food and nice drinks (not too expensive). Looking for reasonably priced hotels not deluxe. Any suggestions? Are taxi’s around island to best way to get around if so are they reasonably priced?
Hi Maggie –
First off, I’m sorry for my delay in response (just got back from a safari in Kenya and have been blissfully offline). Anyway, to answer your questions:
Where to stay – I would say Kamala or Karon are going to be your best bets from what you’ve described. Maybe somewhere like Sunprime Kamala Beach or Avista Grande Phuket Karon would be to your liking? Let me know if not your style and I can adjust to make other suggestions.
Getting around – I would suggest downloading the Grab app. grab is the equivalent of Uber and works pretty well on Phuket. Just download the app and order your car. Just plan for the reality that sometimes it may take 10-15 minutes for your car to arrive. Alternatively your hotel can usually call you a taxi as well, though it may cost a bit more.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I hope you enjoy Thailand!
Nate
I have lived in Phuket (Kamala Beach)
Thailand 4 years and travelled all over the country on my motorbike, staying at affordable hotels I find along the way. Nate’s reviews and advice about Phuket are spot-on including the hotels and restaurants he recommends.
I’ve visited enormous Bangkok several times and until now never understood the different areas to stay in.
Bangkok is so densely populated and streets are often narrow and traffic clogged that the whole place seems ‘same same’ with a river flowing through it and I never grasped the urban layout before now. I had visited Sukhumvit roads full of girlie barsand Khao San Road’s heaving nightlife by taxi but never knew where I was relative to the rest of Bangkok’s tourist attractions so every visit was hit and miss. Thailand resorts and hotel websites are notoriously full of completely misleading bullshit descriptions and photographs. For example, ‘Kata Beach Shores Resort’ could be a combination of Kata Beach suburb ,‘shores’ a non-specific descriptor and ‘resort’ which only means it has a pool. It could easily be an old tarted-up 3 story hotel with no lift located a kilometre from the beachfront. Words following the hotel name such as ‘sands’, ‘shores’, ‘views’ ‘waters’ and ‘resort’ and absolutely meaningless and solely included to trick tourists booking online. Don’t presume that beach photos were taken anywhere near the so-called ‘resort’ or are in fact even within 50K of the ‘resort’ location.
Nate’s insights are fantastically helpful and the only complaint I have is that the site refused to accept me subscribing despite several attempts! Ha ha
Hi Stan – first off, thank you so much for reading Travel Lemming and for the warm comments. Coming from someone with your experience, it’s especially meaningful.
Secondly, let me apologize for our email systems. I did check and I think it went through after a small delay last night but please let me know if you didn’t get it and I’ll get you manually added.
Thank you again!
-Nate
Hi, can you walk to Kamala beach from the Peresa? We walk and run a lot and much prefer this to cabs/shuttles.
Thanks
Hi Nicola – No, there is a winding hilly road with no sidewalk. You’ll need to either take the hotel’s shuttle or call a Grab (similar to Uber) to get back and forth. That’s the downside of being up high with epic views. Still a great hotel!
Hello and thanks for sharing your insights! I was going to book a family trip to Phuket (a first family trip to the area though I’ve been several times) but after reading this, I’m reconsidering. I love the more remote islands but don’t think they would be that fun for my kids, would Koh Samui be better and a less “full on” experience. I went to Koh Samui before what it is now, and adored it, but I know it has changed. Just the vastness of Phuket feels off to me. If you do recommend Koh Samui do you have any family resort recommendations? I wouldn’t want to be too far away, or secluded as want to take in everything the island offers.
Thank you so much.
Hi Elizabeth! Samui is certainly a bit smaller than Phuket, though I honestly think you can find similar experiences on either. On Samui, I’d suggest you check out the Melia Koh Samui. I stayed there two years ago for my birthday and I think it is great for families. It’s got a gorgeous pool system connected by lazy rivers, a kids play area, and lots of family-friendly amenities. In a quieter area of Samui in the north but still a short ride away from the towns. Here are some photos:
Thank you!
We have 7-8 nights at the end of our trip. Before beaches we will be in Khao Sok for 2 nights. We then planned to do Ao Nang (3 nights), Kho Yao Noi (2 nights) and then Phuket (2-3 nights). We planned Phuket to have some beach/relaxation time in a place with bars and restaurants at the end of our trip. After reading this I wonder if we should skip Phuket altogether and add Khao Lak instead on the way to Ao Nang. Or just do Ao Nang and Kho Yao Noi. We head back to Bangkok at the end so we would fly out of Krabi or Phuket. For reference we are doing Bangkok. Chiang Mai and Khao Sok beforehand.
Hi Ilana – Certainly all of those are workable itineraries. I guess it really depends on where you want to travel. Khao Lak is a much smaller and more relaxed beach town far to the north of Phang Nga province, so it’s easy to get to from Khao Sok. But you’ll need to go south towards Phuket anyway to get to Ao Nang after. So really either works. It just comes down to what kind of vibe you prefer. If you want something that is chill and not too busy, Khao Lak or Kho Yao Noi are great. If you want more energy and amenities, consider Phuket or Ao Nang. If I can help with anything else let me know!
Cheers,
Nate
Hi Nate,
We visited Phuket and Bangkok in February for 1st time and loved it. In Phuket, we stayed at Kamala Beach Resort. Nice.
Anyways, want to try something different next year. Any recommendations for Krabi or Koh Samui? Like nice beaches, water, beach bars, and maybe a couple boat trips.
Also, any riverside Bangkok recommendations would be great.
Thank you,
Tim
Hi Tim –
In Krabi, I personally prefer staying in Ao Nang. I stayed at the Centara Ao Nang and liked it. One of the few hotels right on the water but still walkable to town, though know it’s definitely family-oriented. You can take longtail boats right from the pier nearby.
In Samui, the most developed and popular place to stay in definitely Chaweng. Personally, I prefer Lamai (where I spent a couple months a few years back). Still plenty of bars and restaurants, but more chill and less crowded. Check out somwhere like the Samui Jasmine Resort or The Lamai Samui.
For Bangkok, Riverside is a great choice for where to stay. The Anantara Riverside is splendid, though pricey. At a more moderate price point, lots of people rave about Avani Plus Riverside. For more, see my Bangkok guide.
Hope you enjoy Thailand!
Cheers,
Nate
We’ll be in Phuket, Thailand for 4 nights in early May. Where to stay? Worried about rough water and high winds???
Maureen
Hi Maureen – rain is a reality in Phuket most of the year. It tends to come in bursts, and so if you keep some flexibility in your plans you can work around it. The wind is mostly an issue for boat trips to the Phi Phi islands. Since May is low season, you should be able to stay flexible and book boat tours once you know the forecast. The bigger issue in May is that it will be hot and humid. So I’d recommend a nice beach resort so you can spend your time in the water. Maybe The Le Meridien Phuket Karon? Or if you tell me more about your desires, I can make more tailored suggestions.
Hi! thank you so much for your expansive reviews of the different locations, I read them all! I hope I can ask a quick question if you have time. I’m honeymooning in May 2025 and am really looking for the unique villa experience for my fiance and using those as bases for island hopping and snorkeling. We have 9 days to travel and have the idea to stay in 2 locations. One we had in mind is Koh lanta at the primalai for 3nights and the other is phuket for 6 nights.
I’ve liked:
The Amatara Weilleisure at Cape Panawa
The Anantara Mai Khao
The Pavillions (from your review)
The Naka Island Luxury Resort
The Anantara Layan Phuket resort
But I’m torn because all of these have the nice villa views, but the issue is that Id like to maximize the surrounding area/beach/limit transportation/remoteness as much as possible, and I would love your opion!
Thanks!!
Hi Ken – of the ones you mention, the Anantara Mai Khao is pretty far from the docks for island day trips so I might avoid that if you don’t want to be remote. Also be aware that Naka Island is on its own little island. That may be ok if you book your tours through the hotel, but otherwise it adds an extra boat trip to get back and forth from mainland Phuket. The others you mention are reasonably located for getting around Phuket and to the docks for day trips.
Hello !!
I will be in Phuket form the 27th of march to the 4th of April . I need some advice about the best area to stay on the days that we will do day trips to Phi Phi , James Bond island or just visiting the big Buda/ old town. Which location is more convenient? . Any advice about day trips?
Thanks for your great job .
Hi Katherine,
Phuket Town is the closest to the docks for day trips, but since it doesn’t have a beach I’d suggest Paton or Kamala for a stay of that length. Since you are staying for a while, you might like the larger rooms at Glam Habitat or the suite rooms at Paton Heights.
I would suggest booking on this site for tours to Phi Phi, James Bond, etc. They have a range of tours for different budgets, many with hotel pickup. Many boats take the routes you are talking about daily.
I hope you enjoy Phuket!
-Nate
Hello !!
I will be in Phuket form the 27th of march to the 4th of April . I need some advice about the best area to stay on the days that we will do day trips to Phi Phi , James Bond island or just visiting the big Buda/ old town. Which location is more convenient? . Any advice about day trips?
Thanks for your great job .
Hi, how long would it take in a cab to get from Kata beach to ferry terminal for phi phi island
Kind regards
Ash
The drive from Kata to Rassada Pier is about 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic through Old Town.