Phuket is Thailand's largest island, set in the Andaman Sea off the country's southwest coast. Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses, the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, west-coast beaches and day trips to Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi and the Similan Islands make it the most visited island in Thailand.
Accommodation overview
Phuket accommodation spans hostel dorms from about 350 THB a night to pool-villa resorts above 90,000 THB. Patong has the widest choice and the most nightlife, Karon and Kata suit first-time beach stays, and Kamala is quieter. Surin, Bang Tao and Layan hold the upscale resorts, while Mai Khao and Nai Yang sit close to the airport. Phuket Old Town offers heritage shophouse guesthouses near the food markets. High season runs November to April, when rates peak and beachfront rooms book out early; the May to October monsoon brings lower prices and rougher west-coast seas.
- Budget
- THB 350-2,500/night (approx USD 10-75): hostel dorm to simple city or Patong hotel
- Mid-range
- THB 2,500-6,000/night (approx USD 75-180): resort-style hotels in Patong, Karon, Kata and Kamala
- Luxury
- THB 8,000-90,000+/night (approx USD 240-2,700+): beachfront and pool-villa resorts on Layan, Surin, Bang Tao and Mai Khao
- Where to stay
- Kata or Karon for first-time beach stays; Patong for nightlife and budget choice; Phuket Old Town for culture and food; Bang Tao, Surin and Layan for upscale quiet beaches; Mai Khao and Nai Yang for airport proximity
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
The Trend Kamala Hotel
Budget hotel in Kamala Village a short ride from the beach, with a small pool.
Check rates on Booking.comPatong Beach Hotel
Budget hotel on a side street close to the Patong Beach seafront and Jungceylon mall.
Check rates on Booking.comibis Phuket Patong
Simple chain hotel in northern Patong with a small pool.
Check rates on Booking.comPatong Backpacker Hostel
Hostel in central Patong near the beach with dormitory beds and private rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comKata Sea Breeze Resort
Budget resort in the lively centre of Kata near the main beach.
Check rates on Booking.comPearl Hotel Phuket
City hotel on Montri Road in Phuket Town, near the Old Town.
Check rates on Booking.comibis Styles Phuket City
Colourful chain hotel in Phuket Town near the Old Town with a pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comSino Inn Phuket Hotel
Chino-Portuguese-themed hotel in Phuket Town close to Old Town sights.
Check rates on Booking.comRatana Hotel Phuket
City hotel on Sakdidet Road in the southern part of Phuket Town.
Check rates on Booking.comBeehive Phuket Old Town Hostel
Hostel in Phuket Old Town on Dibuk Road with dorm beds and private rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Sunsuri Phuket
Modern resort in Nai Harn within walking distance of Nai Harn Beach, with a pool, spa and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comWyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach Phuket
Hotel in Nai Harn close to the beach and Windmill Viewpoint, with a large pool, a spa and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa
Large resort in tropical gardens on Karon Beach with a lagoon pool, kids club, spa and several restaurants and bars.
Check rates on Booking.comKatathani Phuket Beach Resort
Resort at the northern edge of Kata Noi Beach with private beach frontage, Thai-style wings and pool villas.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Boathouse Phuket
Beachfront boutique hotel on Kata Beach with a nautical theme, a wine-and-grill restaurant and sea-view rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comClub Med Phuket
All-inclusive family resort on Kata Beach with meals, sports and kids' clubs included in the room rate.
Check rates on Booking.comLe Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
Beachfront resort on quiet Relax Bay (Karon Noi) between Patong and Karon with lagoon pools, a kids club and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comPullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach
Resort at quiet Nai Thon Beach on the island's northwest coast, with beachfront pools and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comPullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort
Resort on the sheltered east coast of Cape Panwa with a lagoon-style pool, kids club and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCape Panwa Hotel
Long-established Cape Panwa resort with a private beach, a spa and Thai and seafood restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comPhuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach
Beachfront resort beside Sirinat National Park at Nai Yang Beach, about 10 minutes from the airport, with pools, a kids club and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comAvista Hideaway Phuket Patong - MGallery
Hillside adults-oriented resort with terraced sea-view rooms between Kalim and Patong, with a cliff-edge pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comAngsana Laguna Phuket
Lagoon-side resort in Laguna Phuket with a lagoon pool, kids club and a spa, a short shuttle from Bang Tao Beach.
Check rates on Booking.comDusit Thani Laguna Phuket
Resort in Laguna Phuket near Bang Tao Beach with a large lagoon pool, spa and Thai-style rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comOutrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort
Family resort on Bang Tao Beach with a lagoon pool, kids club and several restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comCassia Phuket
Serviced-apartment-style resort in Laguna Phuket with a pool, beach shuttle and one- to three-bedroom units.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach
Beachfront resort at Bang Tao with a lagoon pool, kids club and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comDream Phuket Hotel & Spa
Mid-range resort a short ride inland from Bang Tao Beach with pools, a spa and a beach shuttle.
Check rates on Booking.comMida Grande Resort Phuket
Mid-range resort between Surin and Bang Tao beaches with a pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comTwinpalms Phuket
Boutique resort on Surin Beach with a Palm Spa and a signature beach club next door.
Check rates on Booking.comSurin Beach Resort
Small mid-range resort a few minutes' walk from Surin Beach with a pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comNovotel Phuket Kamala Beach
Family-friendly hotel opposite Kamala Beach with pools, a kids club and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comSunwing Kamala Beach
Mid-range resort on Kamala Beach with a lagoon pool, family rooms and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comAmari Phuket
Hillside resort at the quiet south end of Patong Beach with sea-view rooms and a pool.
Check rates on Booking.comAmari Coral Beach Phuket
Resort at the quiet end of Patong Beach, about a 10-minute walk from the strip, with pools and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Resort Phuket
Beachfront resort in the middle of Patong with pools, a kids club and a spa.
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Family resort a short walk from Patong Beach with pools and a kids club.
Check rates on Booking.comMillennium Resort Patong Phuket
Patong resort with several pools, about five minutes from the beach.
Check rates on Booking.comAndaman Embrace Patong
Seafront resort at the northern end of Patong Beach with a pool and restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comPhuket Graceland Resort & Spa
Large mid-range resort in northern Patong with several pools, a spa and a beach club.
Check rates on Booking.comBurasari Phuket
Boutique-style hotel close to Patong Beach and Bangla Road with a rooftop pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comPatong Merlin Hotel
Value hotel a few minutes from Patong Beach and Bangla Road with a pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Paradise Hotel & Spa
Mid-range hotel near the Paradise Complex in the centre of Patong with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comPatong Bay Hill Resort
Hillside hotel on the southern edge of Patong with a pool and sea views.
Check rates on Booking.comCentara Karon Resort Phuket
Beachfront resort on Karon Beach with lagoon pools, a kids club and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThavorn Palm Beach Resort
Beachfront Thai-style resort on Karon Beach with an extensive pool area and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comMarina Phuket Resort
Small hillside resort at the Kata end of Karon with a sea-view pool and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comPhuket Orchid Resort & Spa
Mid-range resort a short walk from Karon Beach with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comBaan Karonburi Resort
Value resort a few minutes' walk from Karon Beach with a pool and Thai restaurant.
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Family-oriented resort across the road from Karon Beach with a pool, kids club and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comKata Palm Resort & Spa
Mid-range resort near Kata Beach with a lagoon-style pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCentara Kata Resort Phuket
Family resort close to Kata Beach with pools and a kids club.
Check rates on Booking.comSugar Palm Grand Hillside
Mid-range hillside hotel overlooking Kata Beach, with a pool and rooftop restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comAlpina Phuket Nalina Resort & Spa
Alpine-themed mid-range resort in Kata with pools, a restaurant and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comMetadee Resort & Villas
Hillside resort and villas above Kata, with pools and a restaurant.
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Hillside resort between Karon and Kata with a sea-view infinity pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comRawai Palm Beach Resort
Mid-range resort in Rawai on the south coast with a pool; seafood restaurants are nearby.
Check rates on Booking.comAochalong Villa Resort & Spa
Resort and villas in Chalong Bay close to the pier and Wat Chalong with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comBandara Phuket Beach Resort
Mid-range resort on the east coast near Panwa with a beachfront restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comCourtyard by Marriott Phuket Town
Modern hotel on the edge of Phuket Old Town with a pool and a restaurant, steps from Thalang Road.
Check rates on Booking.comSplash Beach Resort, Maikhao Phuket
Mid-range resort a short walk from Mai Khao Beach with a large pool.
Check rates on Booking.comNai Yang Beach Resort & Spa
Mid-range resort at Nai Yang Beach within Sirinat National Park, with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Amanpuri
Phuket's original ultra-luxury resort on a private coconut-grove headland at Pansea Beach, with Thai pavilions and pool villas, a private beach and a celebrated spa.
Check rates on Booking.comRosewood Phuket
Cliffside beach resort on private Emerald Bay at the southern end of Patong, with ocean-view rooms, pool suites, several restaurants and a Sense spa.
Check rates on Booking.comTrisara
Secluded all-villa resort above its own bay on Phuket's northwest coast, home of the Michelin-starred restaurant Pru and private-pool villas in every category.
Check rates on Booking.comBanyan Tree Phuket
Lagoon-side pool-villa resort inside Laguna Phuket with a Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary, Bang Tao Beach access and several restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comKeemala
Hillside boutique resort of tribal-themed Clay Pool Villas, Bird's Nest Pool Villas and Tree House Pool Villas, with a spa and an all-day restaurant, above Kamala Bay.
Check rates on Booking.comParesa Resort Phuket
Clifftop resort above the Andaman Sea between Kamala and Surin with ocean-view suites and villas, an infinity pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comSri Panwa Phuket
Luxury pool-villa resort at the southern tip of Cape Panwa, with a sunset rooftop bar, the Baba Poolclub and a Cool Spa.
Check rates on Booking.comKata Rocks
Clifftop all-suite and villa resort above Kata Noi bay, with white-washed pool villas, an infinity pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Surin Phuket
Beachfront cottage-style boutique resort on Pansea Beach beside Surin, with a sea-view pool, a restaurant and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCape Sienna Phuket Hotel & Villas
Hillside Tuscan-style resort with infinity pool, rooftop dining and sunset views over Kamala Bay and the Andaman Sea.
Check rates on Booking.comSala Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort
Beachfront resort on quiet Mai Khao Beach near the airport, with white pool villas and suites, a beach restaurant and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comJW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
Large beachfront resort on Mai Khao Beach with multiple pools, a kids club, a spa and a dozen restaurants and bars, about 15 minutes from the airport.
Check rates on Booking.comAnantara Layan Phuket Resort
Resort on Layan Beach with sea-view pool suites, a lagoon pool, Anantara Spa and several restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comAnantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas
Villa resort of Thai-style private pool villas on Mai Khao Beach with a spa, kids club and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Check rates on Booking.comRenaissance Phuket Resort & Spa
Beachfront resort on Mai Khao Beach with pools, a kids club, a spa and a lagoon-style garden layout.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Phuket Resort
Hillside beach resort at Kamala with several pools, a kids club, a spa and views over the Andaman Sea.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Slate
Design-led resort near Nai Yang Beach and the airport with a tin-mining-heritage theme, lagoon pools and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Nai Harn
Hillside resort overlooking Nai Harn Beach and Windmill Viewpoint, with an infinity pool, spa and sea-view restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Shore at Katathani
Adults-only boutique sister property to Katathani on the hillside above Kata Noi, with pool villas and a sea-view restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Pavilions Phuket
Private-pool villa retreat in Layan with butler service and in-villa dining, near Layan and Bang Tao beaches.
Check rates on Booking.comAyara Kamala Resort & Villa
Hillside adults-oriented villa resort above the Kamala coast with an infinity pool and a Thai restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Patong
The island's busiest beach town, with the Bangla Road nightlife strip, Jungceylon mall and the widest range of budget to upscale rooms.
Best for: All travelers
Karon and Kata
Two long, family-oriented beaches on the southwest coast with resorts, restaurants and surf in monsoon season; Kata Noi to the south is quieter.
Best for: All travelers
Kamala
A relaxed village and beach north of Patong, with hillside luxury resorts and a Thai-Muslim local community.
Best for: All travelers
Surin, Bang Tao and Layan
Upscale northwest-coast beaches with Laguna Phuket resorts, beach clubs, and secluded pool-villa properties.
Best for: All travelers
Mai Khao and Nai Yang
Long quiet beaches near the airport and inside Sirinat National Park, with large resorts and a lower-key atmosphere.
Best for: All travelers
Rawai, Nai Harn and Chalong
The south: local seafood, Nai Harn Beach, Windmill Viewpoint and the piers for island-hopping boats.
Best for: All travelers
Cape Panwa and Ao Po
Quiet east-coast and southeast-cape properties with sunset and bay views, away from the west-coast crowds.
Best for: All travelers
Phuket Town and Old Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafes, street food and boutique hotels, 30-45 minutes from the west-coast beaches.
Best for: All travelers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Amanpuri
Phuket's original ultra-luxury resort on a private coconut-grove headland at Pansea Beach, with Thai pavilions and pool villas, a private beach and a celebrated spa.
Check rates on Booking.comRosewood Phuket
Cliffside beach resort on private Emerald Bay at the southern end of Patong, with ocean-view rooms, pool suites, several restaurants and a Sense spa.
Check rates on Booking.comTrisara
Secluded all-villa resort above its own bay on Phuket's northwest coast, home of the Michelin-starred restaurant Pru and private-pool villas in every category.
Check rates on Booking.comBanyan Tree Phuket
Lagoon-side pool-villa resort inside Laguna Phuket with a Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary, Bang Tao Beach access and several restaurants.
Check rates on Booking.comKeemala
Hillside boutique resort of tribal-themed Clay Pool Villas, Bird's Nest Pool Villas and Tree House Pool Villas, with a spa and an all-day restaurant, above Kamala Bay.
Check rates on Booking.comParesa Resort Phuket
Clifftop resort above the Andaman Sea between Kamala and Surin with ocean-view suites and villas, an infinity pool and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Peak season is November to March; book beachfront and pool-villa rooms 3-6 months ahead and expect the highest THB rates from mid-December to mid-January.
The May to October monsoon cuts rates by 30-50 percent on the west coast, but swimming is often restricted by red flags; check the beach flag colour before entering the water.
Phuket airport (HKT) is on the north of the island: Mai Khao and Nai Yang are 10-25 minutes away, Patong about 45-60 minutes, Rawai and Cape Panwa about 60-75 minutes.
Patong is the nightlife centre and noisy until late; Kata, Karon and Kamala are calmer; Surin, Layan and Mai Khao are the quietest. Choose by area before choosing by hotel.
Taxis from the airport are fixed-price at the arrivals counter (about THB 800-1,200 to the main beaches, approx USD 25-35); the Grab and Bolt apps often quote similar fares.
Properties that list no street number (for example some Nai Harn and Rawai hotels) are best located by the map pin shared on the hotel's own booking page, because Thai addresses are often by moo (village number) rather than street.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.