Sunset at Kata Noi Beach on Phuket’s west coast

Where to Stay in Phuket

Seven areas, twenty hotels — chosen as much for where they are as for how good they are.

In Phuket the right area matters more than the right room. The island is big, transport is slow and costly, and each beach attracts a different crowd — so a great hotel on the wrong beach can still spoil a trip. Choose the area first.

We have grouped our picks into seven areas, with a few words on who each suits. Every property is listed on Trip.com with strong guest scores (shown out of 5). We do not show prices: rates here can double between low and peak season, so each card links out for live availability. For a fuller comparison of the beaches, see the travel guide.

Where to stay

Patong

For nightlife, shopping and the widest choice at every budget. Stay at the northern or southern ends, or just outside, if you want to sleep.

Amari Phuket

4.3/5

Set on the headland at the calm southern end of Patong Bay — close to the action, but away from the noise.

Sea views over Patong Bay
Walk to Patong’s restaurants
Own small beach area

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Holiday Inn Resort Phuket

4.4/5

A dependable family resort in the middle of Patong, a short walk from both the beach and the shopping streets.

Central Patong location
Several pools
Family rooms

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Rosewood Phuket

4.6/5

A low-rise luxury resort on its own quiet bay just south of Patong — the splurge for those who want Patong nearby but not next door.

Secluded Emerald Bay
Pool pavilions and villas
A short drive from Patong

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Lub d Phuket Patong

4.6/5

A design-led hostel-hotel hybrid with dorms and private rooms and a sociable pool, a short walk from Bangla Road.

Dorms and private rooms
Sociable pool and bar
Walk to Bangla Road and the beach

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See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Karon, Kata & Kata Noi

The best all-round choice for a first visit: good beaches, plenty of restaurants and a relaxed mood, with Patong 20 minutes away.

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

4.2/5

A large resort with water-park-style pools at the quiet northern end of Karon, directly on the sand.

Directly on Karon Beach
Slides and a lazy river
Good for families

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Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

4.3/5

A big beachfront resort that has quiet Kata Noi Beach almost to itself, a short ride from the restaurants of Kata.

Directly on Kata Noi Beach
Several pools
Good for families

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Beyond Kata

4.4/5

One of the few hotels directly on Kata Beach, at its southern end, with the surf and the restaurants on the doorstep.

Beachfront on Kata
Walk to restaurants
Sunset views

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See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Nai Harn & the south

Quiet, green and popular with residents. You will want transport, and you will have the island’s prettiest corner to yourself in the evenings.

The Nai Harn

4.6/5

The hotel overlooking Nai Harn Beach, terraced into the hillside with sea views.

Above Nai Harn Beach
Sea-view terraces
Quiet southern location

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Sri Panwa Phuket

4.4/5

Pool villas on the tip of Cape Panwa in the south-east, known for its rooftop bar and wide sea views.

Private pool villas
Rooftop bar with a panorama
Secluded cape setting

See rates & availability

See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Kamala & Surin

A family-friendly village bay and a smart cove, with some of the island’s most striking luxury hotels in the hills above.

InterContinental Phuket Resort

4.6/5

A newer luxury resort at Kamala Beach, split between the beachfront and the hillside.

At Kamala Beach
Striking modern-Thai design
Large pools

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Keemala

4.6/5

A fantasy of tree houses, tents and clay cottages in the forested hills above Kamala — all with private pools.

Unusual pool villas
Hillside forest setting
Away from the crowds

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Twinpalms Surin Beach Phuket

4.6/5

A long-established design hotel a short stroll from Surin Beach, with a well-regarded restaurant.

Walk to Surin Beach
Lagoon-style pool
Well-regarded dining

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See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Bang Tao & Laguna

Resort country: a very long beach, lagoons, golf, beach clubs and good restaurants, 30–40 minutes from the airport.

Banyan Tree Phuket

4.6/5

The flagship of the Laguna complex: an all-villa resort, mostly with private pools, set on a lagoon behind Bang Tao Beach.

Private pool villas
Acclaimed spa
Golf course next door

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SAii Laguna Phuket

4.4/5

A big, family-oriented Laguna resort on a strip of land between the lagoon and Bang Tao Beach.

Directly on Bang Tao Beach
Family facilities
Part of the Laguna complex

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See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Nai Yang & Mai Khao

The quiet north, beside the national park and the airport. Ideal for a first or last night, or for a stay built around the resort itself.

The Slate, Phuket

4.7/5

A playful design resort themed on the island’s tin-mining past, set in lush gardens beside Nai Yang Beach.

Beside Nai Yang Beach
Distinctive industrial-chic design
About ten minutes from the airport

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Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach

4.5/5

A comfortable beachfront resort on a quiet stretch of sand at Nai Yang, convenient for early flights.

Beachfront
Close to the airport
Large pool

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SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort

4.4/5

A design-led pool-villa resort on long, undeveloped Mai Khao Beach in the far north.

Quiet Mai Khao Beach
Many villas with private pools
Close to the airport

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JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

4.5/5

A sprawling, self-contained resort on Mai Khao with several restaurants and pools — a classic for families who do not plan to roam.

Directly on Mai Khao Beach
Several restaurants on site
Good for families

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See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Phuket Old Town

No beach, but the island’s best food and most character. Good for a night or two at the start or end of a trip.

The Memory at On On Hotel

4.7/5

A restored heritage hotel in a 1920s building in the middle of Phuket Old Town, with excellent guest scores.

In the heart of the Old Town
Historic building
Good value

See rates & availability

Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel

4.5/5

A small, white-washed boutique hotel on Phuket Road, a few minutes’ walk from Thalang Road, with a little pool.

Walk to the Old Town sights
Small pool
Friendly, personal scale

See rates & availability

See all Phuket hotels on Trip.com

Phuket’s areas compared

Area	Good for	Less good for	Airport
Patong	Nightlife, shopping, budget rooms, tours	Peace and quiet	50–70 min
Karon	Families, long beach walks	Monsoon swimming	60–80 min
Kata & Kata Noi	First visits, couples, surf	Very tight budgets in peak season	60–80 min
Nai Harn & Rawai	Quiet, long stays, seafood	Travellers without transport	70–90 min
Kamala & Surin	Families, luxury villas	Nightlife	40–50 min
Bang Tao & Laguna	Resorts, beach clubs, dining	Walkability	30–40 min
Nai Yang & Mai Khao	Seclusion, early flights	Sightseeing and swimming	10–20 min
Old Town	Food, culture, value	Beach time	45–60 min

Tips for booking

Check the map, not the name. “Patong” or “Kata” in a hotel’s title can mean a steep hill a kilometre or more from the sand.
Split your stay. A week divides well into a few nights at a southern beach and a few in the north or the Old Town — you see more and travel less each day.
In the green season, prioritise the pool. From May to October you may not be able to swim in the sea.
Peak dates sell out. For Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, book months ahead and expect minimum stays.
Ask about transfers. Some resorts in the north and south include or sell airport cars at fair rates.

Thinking of combining Phuket with a night elsewhere? See our guides to Phi Phi, Koh Yao and Khao Sok.

Hotel links on this page go to Trip.com. We may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you. Guest scores were checked in October 2026 and change over time.

Plan your days in Phuket

Turn a beach holiday into a real Phuket trip

Paddle into the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay, step onto Maya Bay before the crowds, snorkel the Similan reefs, eat your way round the Old Town and watch the sun go down from Promthep Cape. Compare the best-rated tours and book in a couple of taps.

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Good to know

Where to stay in Phuket: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Phuket for the first time?

Kata or Karon. Both have good beaches and restaurants, a calmer atmosphere than Patong and easy pickups for boat trips.

Where should families stay?

Kamala, Karon, Kata and Bang Tao have the gentlest atmosphere and the most family-oriented resorts. Mai Khao suits families who want a self-contained resort.

Where should I stay for nightlife?

Patong, within walking distance of Bangla Road — but not on it, if you want to sleep.

Is it better to stay in Patong or Phuket Town?

They are completely different. Patong is a beach resort with nightlife; Phuket Town is a real town with heritage streets and local food but no beach. Many visitors do a night or two in town and the rest at a beach.

Which side of Phuket has the best beaches?

The west coast, without question. The east coast is where the piers are, and has few swimmable beaches.