Planning a trip to Thailand and want to know where to stay in Phuket? We take the guesswork out by compiling a list of some great places to stay, whatever your finances might be! From cheap budget hotels to fancy luxury resorts, our list gives you an insight into the best places to stay in Phuket.
Phuket province, Thailand’s biggest island, is a hotspot tourist destination. Located in southern Thailand, it is home to magnificent beaches with fabulous sunsets, wondrous architecture in the historic old town that bustles with traditional markets, and a myriad of ethnicities donate their traditions and festivities to this magical place.
READ MORE: We talk to hotel owners in Phuket about the Phuket sandbox
Phuket offers a dream holiday filled with memories of hot, white sand between your toes and exciting wild nights out—if that is your cup of tea! But it is not just for singles and partygoers; it is also suited to families with kids of all ages. One of the best things about this destination is that it has accommodation for all budgets, from cosy bungalows to luxury apartments. Keep reading for my take on the best places to stay in Phuket to suit any budget, from piggy bank savings to luxury dream holiday spending!
Here are some of the best places to stay in Phuket:
Enjoy experiences in Phuket Old Town
This is the largest urban area of the island that has narrow streets filled with local and foreign restaurants, boutiques and been a regular street market where you can buy anything. If you’re not a beach person or want to experience something a bit different, this is the place for you.
The best thing is that it stands alone as an amazing place for architecture, culture, shopping and food, so you won’t even miss the beach at all. This is a popular choice for backpackers and tourists who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the beach areas.
If you feel that Phuket can sometimes be a bit too commercialised or cater to tourists a bit too blatantly, then take a break and stay here. Phuket Town is the main area that the locals on the island go to, so it is probably the best place to get a more local experience on the island.
Also, enjoy the markets, because there are quite a few of them to visit on your trip here and they open mainly on the weekends to cater to the locals and tourists alike.
Party like there’s no tomorrow at Patong beach
When you think about Phuket, there’s a big chance you probably know Patong Beach. If you do any research, this area is best known for just one street – Bangla Road.
This area is the nightlife hub for the island and has most of the bars and clubs anywhere in Phuket and is the island’s primary nightlife destination. It is also a popular area for hotels, resorts and guest houses, so it is a very busy area.
While this area is popular for those looking to party and definitely bachelor parties, there are a lot of activities and shopping, restaurants and more around Patong Beach.
So while it does have a reputation for being the party area of Phuket, it is also one of the best places to stay in Phuket if you want great restaurants and a luxury experience.
Enjoy a family holiday in Karon beach
Karon is a perfect area for those who want a relaxing holiday half the time, but also the flexibility to jump on a tuk-tuk and visit the bars at night. Karon is the second-biggest beach town after Patong, so while it is more relaxing it isn’t difficult to find fancy resorts, cafes, restaurants and even bars.
However, it is different from Patong, with a stronger family vibe for those looking for something for all ages. My team took an internal vote and decided it was the best place to stay in Phuket, but they do enjoy a quiet evening followed by a very loud night out in the town.
The ease of moving around does make Karon beach a popular choice with many visitors and its proximity to nature and the main entertainment area on the island is a big draw.
Or choose the beach next door, Kata beach
Right next door to Karon beach is another beautiful and slightly more serene area -Kata. The beach connects to Kata Beach and while being quite similar, it is more relaxed and a nice way to stay a bit further from the hustle and bustle of the party area in Phuket.
The quiet serenity and the amazing beach probably makes it my vote for the best area to stay in Phuket. However, I do enjoy the quiet time nowadays, so you need to figure out what you want from your holiday.
Kata Beach is also quite popular with surfers during the season (May to November) and for easy diving. It also does have its own night lifestyle scene but is better balanced for those who don’t want to go overboard every day. Visitors can also enjoy the many local and some international restaurants on the beach.
Rawai Beach
For those looking for a relaxing time on the beach followed by amazing seafood meals, look no further than Rawai Beach. Located on the south-eastern tip of Phuket, not many know that it was the very first tourist beach of Phuket. However, unlike Patong Beach and other areas, it retained its rustic and authentic vibe with a fishing village still thriving in the town.
With just a few shops, cafes and nightlife options, it might not be the party town, but it does offer amazing seafood at the beachside restaurants. We highly recommend you visit the popular Sea Gypsies Fish Market.
It is also a port of destination for different attractions, so don’t think it is a desolate and empty area. Tourists do love this area and often use it as a base when they want to visit Laem Ka Beach and Promthep Cape.
There you have it, some of the best places to stay in Phuket during your trip to one of the most magical places in the world. The magic of this Thai Island will draw you in, and you will most certainly want to visit again and again.
Whether you wish to enjoy it as a single party-mad, twenty-something-year-old, floating around cheap hostels, prefer luxurious hotels on a romantic couples trip, or a more relaxed, budget-friendly holiday for your family, there are places to stay in Phuket to suit everyone.
