A hotel room with a bed and a table with two coconut drinks and a big window overlooking a boat floating in pristine waters.

Whether you want to be in the heart of the action on Patong Beach or prefer something more romantic and secluded, Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, has it all. From budget stays to luxury resorts, I’ve created this guide on where to stay in Phuket with every type of traveller in mind.

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The best areas to stay in Phuket.

A young lady goes up the stairs to the Phuket Big Buddha statue made of white marble against the clouds in the sky.
Five cheerful individuals sitting on a sandy beach, sharing a laugh and raising their coconut and glass drinks in a toast.
A male traveller sits on the bow of the wooden boat traversing through the enormous protruding rocks on the sea.

Wondering where to stay in Phuket? The island is Thailand’s largest. It has its own international airport, and most of its best beaches are along the scenic west coast. Travellers can choose between lively areas like Patong Beach and quieter, more local stays in Kamala.

Patong Beach is one of the busiest areas in Phuket, famous for nightlife, shopping, and a wide range of hotels. Its Paradise Complex area is also a great choice for LGBTQ travellers.

Nearby, Karon Beach offers long stretches of white sand and a more relaxed feel. Meanwhile, Kata Beach and Kata Noi combine family-friendly resorts with great surfing. Kamala is quieter but still well connected. It’s popular with couples and long-stayers. In Bang Tao, you’ll find lots of luxury resorts and beach clubs.

Phuket Old Town features colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture, boutique hotels, and authentic street food. It’s ideal if you want culture beyond the beach.

Other beautiful spots worth including on your Thailand itinerary are Surin Beach, known for upscale beachside bars; Nai Harn, a favourite of both locals and expats; Mai Khao, a peaceful northern beach near the airport; and tiny Freedom Beach, one of Phuket’s most pristine hidden gems.

How to get around Phuket & tips for your stay.

  • While Grab, Asia’s version of Uber, is available in parts, taxis in general are quite expensive compared to Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
  • For longer distances, it is more economical to book a shared minivan transfer. If you are heading to Koh Phi Phi or another island in Krabi, many boat operators include hotel pick-ups with their tickets.
  • If you want to cover a lot of ground, Phuket is a good place to hire a car or a motorbike, especially if you are travelling on your own.

The best hotels in Patong Beach.

A pond near the beach with colourful umbrellas and tourists under the scenic sun.

Patong Beach is Phuket’s liveliest area, so it’s ideal for travellers who want wild nightlife, shopping, and plenty of dining options on their doorstep. Expect bustling streets, casual beach bars, and endless entertainment. Even though it’s busy, Patong also has a wide range of hotels, including budget stays and luxury resorts.

La Flora Resort Patong

  • Best for: stylishly updated accommodation
  • Double rooms from £184 per night
View of a terrace with pool from the window of a poolside hotel room
Provided by Booking.com

This newly renovated resort features beautiful rooms, a stunning spa, and a serene pool. You could have the perfect holiday without leaving, but if you do venture out, Patong Beach is only a short walk away.

Lub D Phuket Patong

  • Best for: the young and social
  • Dorm beds from £22 per night
A modern hotel room in white and blue tones with a hammock hanging on the balcony
Provided by Booking.com

Lub D Phuket Patong caters to a younger crowd and is ideal for travellers wanting a social experience. The property has a restaurant, pool, and table tennis area – all perfect for mingling.

Byd Lofts

  • Best for: an elegant atmosphere
  • Double rooms from £182 per night
A luxurious modern white hotel room
Provided by Booking.com

This boutique hotel offers stylish rooms and apartments for those who prefer a bit of glam. It’s the perfect design-forward retreat from the busy Patong Beach bustle.

Bearpacker Patong Hostel

  • Best for: female solo travellers
  • Dorm beds from £34 per night
A simple modern provate room in a hostel with round window
Provided by Booking.com

This hostel offers dorms and private rooms with amenities like laundry service and on-site dining – all at an affordable price. Balancing safe and social vibes, it’s a great choice for female solo travellers (though the hostel accepts all travellers).

Rosewood Phuket

  • Best for: foodies
  • Double rooms from £1,592 per night
Exterior view of a hotel villa with private view
Provided by Leonardo

Rosewood Phuket is perfect if you’re looking to curl up in the lap of luxury after a day playing on Freedom or Paradise Beaches. It’s renowned for its secluded setting on Emerald Bay and ultra-luxurious pavilions and private villas.

The best hotels in Karon Beach.

Sunloungers under colourful umbrellas line the golden sand beach.
Three friends in a summer beach bar

Karon Beach is the second-largest beach in the province, but it’s more relaxed than Patong, so it’s great for families and couples. You’ll find a mix of mid-range and upscale hotels. Plus, Karon Beach gives you access to great restaurants, bars, and shopping – without the overwhelming crowds.

On The Hill Karon Resort

  • Best for: Karon Bay views
  • Double rooms from £62 per night
A terrace surrounded by greenery overlooking a white sandy beach
Provided by Booking.com

Nestled on a lush hillside overlooking the bay, Karon Resort is the perfect tropical hideaway. Watch the sunset from the restaurant terrace and enjoy Karon Beach only a 5-minute walk away.

Fishtail Hostel

  • Best for: eco-budget travellers
  • Dorm beds from £14 per night
A modern bunk bed of a hostel by a window. overlooking the street
Provided by Booking.com

Fishtail Hostel is a great option for the eco-conscious budget traveller. Choose from a variety of room options, including privates with double beds and dorms – many have excellent views from floor-to-ceiling windows.

Phuket Emerald Beach Resort

  • Best for: family-friendly beach stays
  • Double rooms from £142 per night
Modern elegant hotel resort with exterior pool and building around it at dusk
Provided by Booking.com

With its free water park access, playrooms, and dedicated children’s pool, Phuket Emerald Beach Resort offers fun for the whole family. Decorated with adorable sea turtles, the rooms are light, spacious, and modern.

Karon Seaview Beachfront

  • Best for: privacy close to the beach
  • Double rooms from £671 per night
A hotel by the beach with pool and direct view of the sea
Provided by Booking.com

These luxury apartments are perfect for groups looking to stay in comfort close to Karon Beach. Unwind in the infinity pool and take in the sea views.

The best hotels in Kata Beach & Kata Noi.

Many tourists visited the beach next to identical cottages clustered on the lush mountainside.
Wooden fishing boats on the shore overlooking a lush island in the middle of the sea against the scenic sunset sky.

Located on Phuket’s southwest coast, Kata Beach and the smaller Kata Noi are perfect for families, couples, and surfers who want to balance activity with relaxation. Expect golden sands, laid-back beach bars, and great dining. Hotels here range from smaller, boutique resorts to luxury stays.

The 4 Blocks at Kata noi

  • Best for: affordable access to Kata Noi
  • Double rooms from £40 per night
African housekeeper making bed

Less than 300 metres from Kata Noi, this guest house offers a breezy, affordable stay with clean rooms and proximity to local restaurants and cafés.

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

  • Best for: perfect all-rounder
  • Double rooms from £247 per night
A plunge pool of a hotel by the sea with a red parasol
Provided by Leonardo

This well-appointed boutique hotel has everything you could ask for – from exclusive beach access to bespoke rooms, valet parking, and childcare services. Savour the perfect view from the bar, daiquiri in hand.

The Shore At Katathani

  • Best for: honeymooners
  • Double rooms from £496 per night
Drone view of a couple dancing by the infinity pool of a tropical hotel resort
Provided by Booking.com

Between the infinity pool, Serenity Spa, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the beach, this is the perfect retreat for honeymooners as it’s adults-only. Wake to breath-taking sunrise views from bed in your own private villa.

The best hotels in Kamala.

A crowded beach with sunbeds and umbrellas along a forested hill with views of a large bay.
A smiling couple with their arms around each other stand in the shallow ocean surf on a beach along a rocky cliff face.

Kamala is a quieter beach town that’s perfect for couples and long-term visitors looking for a slower pace. You’ll find family-friendly resorts, unique hotels, and luxury villas. Although nightlife is limited, Kamala still has beachside dining, local markets, and easy access to nearby attractions.

Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa

  • Best for: Kamala access
  • Double rooms from £143 per night
A woman bathing in an infinity pool under the orange sunset sky.

Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa is a great all-inclusive option in Kamala. The property includes two bars, a restaurant, and a pool. Plus, when you feel like exploring, they offer free shuttles to the beach and surrounding areas.

Villa Tantawan Resort

  • Best for: indulging
  • Double rooms from £237 per night
A hotel villa with a pool by a luxury suite in a tropical setting
Provided by Booking.com

Pamper yourself over views of Kamala and Surin Beach in your own villa complete with a private butler. It’s perfect for honeymooners, but thanks to on-site babysitting services, it’s also great for small families.

Keemala

  • Best for: authentic Phuket
  • Double rooms from £561 per night
Tree houses in a tropical resort on a hill at dusk
Provided by Leonardo

Surrounded by rainforest canopy, Keemala was designed by locals to give guests a truly authentic experience. They also offer heritage tours and visits to the nearby islands and a rum distillery.

The best hotels in Bang Tao.

dest_thailand_phuket_bang-toa-beach_shutterstock-premier_1156474417_momondo_within-usage-period_39444
Boats moored on the tranquil waters of the beach lined with lush trees and a pile of rocks.

Bang Tao is well-known for its upscale resorts, beach clubs, and long stretches of white sand. It’s great for luxury travellers as well as families and groups. Expect stylish hotels, luxury golf courses, and fine dining. Though it’s quieter than Patong, Bang Tao has lively beach bars and a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.

Marisa Garden Bungalow

  • Best for: bungalows on a budget
  • Double rooms from £42 per night
marisa-garden-bungalow-booking-3190277-109716664-866445
Provided by Booking.com

Just two minutes from Bang Tao Beach, these bungalows are a great budget option. Rooms are cosy and complete with their own private balconies that open onto the property’s garden.

Sunwing Bangtao Beach

  • Best for: family holiday in Phuket
  • Double rooms from £206 per night
A modern elegant restaurant by the beach
Provided by Leonardo

This family-friendly accommodation is complete with a kids’ club and huge pool that has its own winding waterslide. The hotel also has a tour desk and easy access both to Bang Tao and the airport.

Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket

  • Best for: a luxury oasis
  • Double rooms from £247 per night
A large swimming pool with tall palm trees and a pagoda-style structure in the middle
Provided by Leonardo

This 5-star hotel in Phuket is the picture of tranquillity, with its many bespoke pools and water fixtures, full-service spa, and Thai-inspired architecture. It’s also close to Surin Beach and Bang Tao Night Market.

The Surin Phuket

  • Best for: a romantic getaway
  • Double rooms from £441 per night
Aerial view of hotel villas in a tropical forest by a white sandy beach
Provided by Leonardo

The Surin features stunning and cosy villas perched among the palms and overlooking the beach. It’s a romantic and serene escape that’s perfect for honeymooners and host to many weddings.

The best hotels in Phuket Old Town.

Close up of a row of colourful houses
Two happy women sit and dine together on a brightly lit market at night.

Phuket Old Town is perfect for travellers interested in culture, history, and food. Stay here for boutique accommodation in colourful Sino-Portuguese buildings, vibrant street art, and night markets. It’s ideal for a more authentic Thai experience.

Hotel Verdigris

  • Best for: captivating interiors
  • Double rooms from £184 per night
hotel-verdigris-booking-342676549
Provided by Booking.com

This opulent design hotel is inspired by the style of a mysterious woman from 18th-century Phuket. Stay here if you’re looking for beauty and intrigue in the heart of the Old Town.

Ming Shou Boutique House

  • Best for: boutique on a budget
  • Double rooms from £18 per night
A hotel entrance patio with antique tales, wooden carved door and a bike parked in the front
Provided by Booking.com

This is the perfect stay if you’re looking for a boutique feel but want to stay within budget. It makes for a charming base for your Phuket exploring, and breakfast is included.

The Memory On On Hotel

  • Best for: history & film lovers
  • Double rooms from £56 per night
A green retro style hotel room with french doors overlooking greenery and artworks on the wall
Provided by Booking.com

The Memory On On Hotel is the oldest of its kind in Phuket, and it’s been carefully restored to highlight its unique Sino-Portuguese architecture. Attention to detail extends throughout, and rooms open onto a beautiful courtyard.

Individual hotel prices were sourced on 19.09.2024 for one night (01.12.2025 to 02.12.2025) and are correct at the time of publishing but subject to change.

Average Phuket hotel prices are based on hotel searches made on KAYAK & associated brands in the period between 13.08.2023 and 13.08.2025 for travel days between 01.01.2024 and 31.12.2025. All prices are average for 1 night in a double room. Prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed.

About the author

Lily CichanowiczLily is a freelance writer, digital nomad, and jet setter. Currently based in Berlin, she dreams of someday moving back to Latin America. She prefers slow travel and befriending locals in order to understand cultures deeply. On a trip, you can find her seeking out authentic cuisine and connecting with the political history of a destination.

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