Where to Stay

Phuket Island offers visitors a host of choices when it comes to accommodation. However, it is often the season, rather than the area, that plays a more important part in deciding where to stay. On the island there are two seasons, the dry "High Season" from November to April and the Monsoon or "Green Season" from May to October. During this time, heavy tropical rains can make water activities on west coast beaches treacherous. Trips to such destinations as the Similan and Surin Islands may be canceled. On the east coast, these conditions are generally not as serious. Hotel rates are considerably lower during this time with numerous 'special packages' on offer.

Phuket Town

The provincial capital, Phuket Town, is packed with hotels, restaurants shops and lots of local history. Two top establishments here are the Metropole Hotel and the Royal Phuket City Hotel. Others include the Phuket Merlin Hotel in a quieter part of town and the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel. A sister hotel, the Thavorn, is the oldest in town and its collection of historical memorabilia makes it worth a look even for those staying elsewhere.

Panwa Cape to Rawai Beach

Seven kilometers from Phuket Town, the secluded Panwa Cape, home to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and Phuket Aquarium, offers upmarket rooms at the Panwaburi Hotel. More moderately priced are the Panwa Beach Resort and Panwa House Hotel. Rawai Beach is the location of The Evason Phuket. There are also a number of inexpensive bungalows at the southern end of Chalong Bay.

Nai Harn Beach

Around from Prom Thep Cape is Nai Harn Beach, also home to the Phuket Yacht Club. Le Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club offers luxurious accommodation, as do the Nai Harn Villas.

Kata Noi Beach to Patong Beach

On the west of the island, Kata comprises two lovely beaches, Kata Yai and Kata Noi. This area is dominated by Club Med Phuket, which offers "all inclusive" holiday packages. The Kata Beach Resort is an exclusive boutique hotel and the Mom Tri's Boathouse boasts the award-winning Wine & Grill Restaurant. There is also the Kata Thani Hotel & Beach Resort, which is accompanied by several small restaurants. Neither of the beach areas have discos or large clubs, so nightlife is confined to the small, late-night pubs and outdoor bars in the vicinity.

Karon Beach

Across a low hill from Kata lies Karon Beach, known for having the softest sand in Thailand. There are numerous beachside restaurants, shops and late-night bars. Notable establishments here include the five-star Phuket Arcadia Hotel & Resort, Le Meridien Phuket, the Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, Ramada Karon, the Waterfront Hotel and Moevenpick Resort and Spa. Less expensive accommodation is available at the Centara Villas Phuket and Phuket Ocean Resort, while the Sea Breeze Inn is a good, inexpensive location.

Patong Beach

This area provides all manner of attractions with the most nightlife on the west side of the island. This is where the majority of visitors to Phuket stay and there are literally hundreds of accommodation possibilities, from resorts and hotels to modest bungalows, and something for every budget. At the luxurious end of the scale is the Amari Coral Beach Resort, the Club Andaman Beach Resort and the Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa. Middle-range establishments include the Deevana Patong Resort and Spa, the Phairin Beach Hotel and the Phuket Grand Tropicana. At the lower price end is the Baan Lamai Beach Resort, the Deva Patong Resort and the Royal Palm Beach Front, to name but a few.

To the north, at Nakalay Beach, is the upmarket Thavorn Beach Village, which includes the popular restaurant Old Siam Nakalay plus one of the better island spas, Nakalay Spa.

Laem Sing, Surin and Kamala Beach

The upmarket Kamala Residence is located on the small, picturesque Laem Sing Beach, separated by a small headland from Surin Beach, where the five-star Chedi Hotel is located. The relatively undeveloped Kamala Beach is home to Thailand's most outstanding hotspot, Phuket FantaSea. Places to stay include the deluxe Kamala Bay Terrace Resort, the moderately-priced Phuket Kamala Resort and the Kamala Beach Hotel & Resort.

Bang Tao Beach and Laguna Phuket

The Laguna Phuket Complex is made up of the Banyan Tree, Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel, Sheraton Grande Laguna, Allamanda Laguna Phuket and Laguna Beach Resort. These are some of the most luxurious resorts on the island, set on 1,000 acres and interconnected by road, canal and lagoon. Facilities include the Canal Village Shopping Center, an 18-hole golf course, a horse-riding club and a skills-challenge course.

Moderately-priced accommodation elsewhere in the area includes Bangtao Beach Cottage and Pen Villa Hotel.

Nai Yang Beach

This is the longest beach on the island, and where giant sea turtles come ashore in the dry season to lay their eggs. There is superb swimming along the beach with access to a camping area and Nai Yang National Park. Places to stay include the Crown Nai Yang Suite Hotel and the Pearl Village.

Offshore Islands

On Phi Phi Islands, recognized among the most beautiful islands in the world, there are both five star and budget accommodations available, including Holiday Inn Resort—Phi Phi Island, Phi Phi Cabana and Phi Phi Natural Resort.

Coral Island is one of the most popular one-day tour destinations, surrounded by colorful coral reefs. The Coral Island Resort is a moderately-priced establishment. On Cruiser Island there is the charming, inexpensive Cruiser Island Resort, while Mai Thon Island offers the deluxe and exclusive Maiton Resort.

Wherever you choose to stay in Phuket, you can be sure of a friendly welcome and comfortable accommodation in prices to suit all pockets.