Phuket (pronounced poo-get), Thailand’s largest island, is known throughout the world as an exotic destination with beautiful weather, fantastic beaches and great nightlife. Plus, having it’s own international airport that means that it is readily accessible for tourists, indeed the island is heavily geared towards tourism in most regards, and holiday-makers should be able to find everything they want on the island. There are all manner of attractions, including ultra-modern shopping malls, world-class restaurants, cinemas, bowling alleys, literally anything you can think of, combined with scuba diving, water-sports and fishing trips, there is something for everyone on Phuket.
There are several different regions on the island, with each having a slightly different feel. Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the best areas to stay in Phuket in more detail, then we’ll take a look at the best places to stay in Phuket for all types of budgets, from the best budget hostels, mid-range guest houses and hotels, luxury hotels and resorts as well as a quick look at our favourite ultra-luxury resort.
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Table of Contents
Where To Stay In Phuket
Patong
Patong is the biggest and most happening destination in Phuket, with a great beach and by far the most comprehensive and raucous nightlife scene. There are dozens upon dozens of restaurants offering cuisine from all around the world, and numerous shopping options. Patong is neither cheap (by Thai standards) nor quiet, but is a lot of fun. It is very difficult to be bored when staying in Patong. Patong and it’s beach attract a lot of tourists on a daily basis, even during low season, something to be aware of if you are trying to get away from it all.
Karon
Karon is not quite as hectic as Patong, but has a very nice beach and plenty of dining options and bars. Nightlife is much more sedate and family-friendly, however, it’s worth noting that most of the hotels and resorts are across the road so do not have a beach frontage. Even so, Karon is a great choice for families, couples, or anyone looking to enjoy Phuket without being in the centre of the nightlife and the bustling crowds of tourists.
Kata
Kata consists of two adjacent beaches known as Kata Yai and Kata Noi. Kata is more relaxed and quiet than both Patong and Karon, and accommodations are slightly cheaper, it has more of a relaxed village feel but there are still more than enough shopping and dining options. Kata is great for someone looking for a quieter spot, yet you are still only 10km from Patong if you want a big night out. Just take care with the taxis, they can and will try to overcharge you.
Kamala
Kamala is noticeably quieter and more sedate than any of the previously mentioned destinations, and is perfect for those looking for peace and quiet on their holiday. It has a lovely beach, enough restaurants and bars – it just doesn’t have the hoards of tourists that you’ll see in Patong. It’s still a little on the touristy side though with lots of resorts, but offers great value with some very quiet and relaxing places to stay, and enough dining options to keep you happy. There are a few bars but nightlife in general is limited.
Surin
Surin is about 15km north of Patong, and is another quieter destination with Thai-style restaurants and hotels. It’s not busy at all, and again has a distinct village feel, the difference being that Surin is full of high end luxury hotels and resorts, so if you’re willing to spend that bit more for some extra luxury, Surin could be the beach for you. Surin is more of a getaway destination where most people spend their time in their luxury resorts, but seeing as Phuket is only an island, if you want great shopping or crazy nightlife, it’s just a taxi ride away.
Phuket Town
Phuket Town feels like your average provincial Thai town, however it’s quite relaxing, has plenty of amenities and is noticeably cheaper for accommodation than the beach resorts. It’s not exactly picturesque, but there are buses to the beaches, which are very good value, unlike the taxis. There’s loads to see and do in the vicinity, with ancient temples, Phuket old town, a butterfly farm, a zoo, fishing park, the list goes on and on! If you don’t mind not having easy access to a beach this could be the place for you. Just be aware that because of the taxis overcharging on Phuket, to get from Phuket Town to somewhere like Surin will cost around 600 baht or even more, negating any savings you make on your accommodation.
Best Budget Places To Stay In Phuket
BedBox Guesthouse & Hostel
At A Glance
Room Types: Double | Twin | Dorm room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Jungceylon mall, Simon cabaret, Patong beach, Muay Thai stadium
Price Range: $5-$10 per night
Phuket is not a cheap place to stay, and the fact that this place can offer rooms at these prices is simply amazing. And no, it doesn’t feel like a budget choice, it is clean, spacious and modern, and the location, in the middle of Patong, is great. It should be noted that it’s not so close to the beach, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk, but you are only a stone’s throw away from the incredible Jungceylon mall which has loads of great restaurants and bars, as well a high tech cinema and ten-pin bowling alley. It is also very close to the night market, where you can pick up some ingredients to cook with back at the fully equipped kitchen. The guesthouse is colourful and inviting – not what you’d expect at these prices, and it has great staff.
All the rooms are air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi, and many rooms also have their own balcony. The beds are comfortable, the area is quiet at night, and the staff are able to speak both English and German. It offers all the amenities you would normally expect, including a tour booking service, lockers, a laundry/ironing service and a shuttle service. This place consistently gets stellar reviews online, and at these prices, it is no wonder, it offers unbelievable value for money. It’s clean, comfortable and friendly but above all, cheap. If you’re on a super tight budget, you’ll find no better accommodation in Phuket. Keep an eye out for their friendly hotel cat!
Eco Hostel
At A Glance
Room Types: Triple Room | Dorm Room (double bed) | Dorm Room (bunk bed)
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Night market, Kor Tor Mor (pub), Phuket bus station
Price Range: $8-$29 per night
Another great value hostel, this time located in Phuket town, with the convenience of a 7-Eleven, night market and bus station all within a few minutes walk. The Eco Hostel has a quirky, boutique feel to it, but is clean, modern and comfortable, and very good value for money. There is a great coffee shop on site, plus all rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and the staff are super friendly and will go out of their way to help you in any way. This hostel also gets rave reviews online so does tend to get booked up fast, it’s highly unlikely that they will have a vacancy if you just turn up out of the blue, booking is a must, I would recommend booking at least a month in advance if possible.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the vicinity (within 5-10 minutes walk or so), and the bus station means you can get to one of the beaches without having to spend a small fortune on Phuket’s overpriced taxis. However, the hostel is not located in a touristy place, but feels like it’s on a main road in a typical Thai provincial town. Just across the road is a great Thai restaurant, and on the corner you can flag down a taxi once you’ve decided where you want to go (or you can book one back at reception). Phuket Town is just a little too big to be able to walk everywhere, so if you ask at reception they can point you to the nearest reliable place to hire a motorcycle. A good choice for budget travelers who aren’t too fussed about being near a beach.
Rico’s Bungalows Kata
At A Glance
Room Types: Bungalows only
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kata beach, Buffalo Steakhouse, Kata night plaza
Price Range: $16-$33 per night
Rico’s Bungalows is a very relaxing mini resort of 23 bungalows, just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Kata beach. Nestled in amongst a lovely tropical garden setting, it has a great swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and all bungalows have air conditioning, a fridge with mini bar, cable TV, DVD player and an in-room safe. The resort is family-friendly and offers sensational value with bungalows being able to be booked online for as little as $16 per night. The location is great, there are some fantastic restaurants and bars within easy walking distance from the resort and Kata night plaza is only a few minutes away. This being Kata, the nightlife options are fairly subdued but Patong is only around 20 minutes away if you fancy a night out.
Never the less, this resort will be suitable for most visitors, it’s quiet, friendly and well located, and whilst not super luxury, it offers very good value. Great service, a great location and great value all add up to make this a very pleasant and relaxing place to stay in Phuket. There are plenty of amenities within a few minutes walking distance, including a 7-Eleven with ATM and money exchanger, some nice little restaurants and bars, a huge beauty salon and various shops including a pharmacy. Definitely a great choice for budget travelers who don’t want the constant hustle and bustle of Patong.
Casa Brazil Homestay & Gallery
At A Glance
Room Types: Standard Double | Standard Twin
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Karon beach, Karon shopping mall, Subway, Kata beach
Price Range: $15-$18 per night
Casa Brazil is a delightful homestay (but more like a guesthouse) located only a few minutes walk from Karon beach. Karon is an excellent choice for most travelers as it has a lot of choices for dining and shopping without having the chaotic nightlife of Patong, a great compromise in many cases. It is a Thai-style building, tastefully decorated, with large and spacious rooms, and has a great restaurant featuring Thai-style hardwood furniture which serves both Western and Thai foods. The rooms have large, comfy beds with good air conditioning and fast Wi-Fi in every room, and they also have a tour booking facility downstairs.
In addition, Casa Brazil is excellently located, being only a few minutes walk from the beach, and is close to dozens of shops, restaurants, bars and massage shops. And within a few hundred yards there is a pharmacy and a doctor’s surgery, ATMs and a money exchanger, you won’t really need to leave this area, unless you want to experience Patong’s notorious nightlife scene, which is only around 20 minutes away by taxi (there is a bus back from Jungceylon but the last one goes at around 9:30pm which won’t be much use to many people).
The staff here are very friendly and helpful and can speak English, French and Chinese in addition to being able to offer a full laundry service and an on-site coffee house. And with rooms available from as little as $15 a night Casa Brazil really is an incredible bargain, ideally suited to younger travelers or couples traveling on a budget.
Sugar Ohana Poshtel
At A Glance
Room Types: Double Room | Twin Room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kata beach, J&J bar, Khan Baba restaurant, Karon beach, Kata night market
Price Range: $17-$24 per night
The Sugar Ohana Poshtel lives up to it’s name, offering a fabulous boutique style hotel only a few minutes from the incredible Kata beach. It has lots of designer features such as floor to ceiling glass doors and modern hardwood furniture, and it’s really hard to believe that this is a budget hotel costing under $24 per night. It’s spotlessly clean with spacious and modern bedrooms, with all the amenities you could ever ask for. It really is a beautiful place to stay and worth the extra few dollars a night over some of the super budget places, and is a great place for couples. Kata is more relaxing so nightlife is not anywhere near as raucous as Bangla Road in Patong.
All rooms are air-conditioned and they even have an in-room massage service available should you not have the energy to walk to one of the nearby massage studios! This hotel is definitely modern, funky and quirky, but given the price, location, and sheer quality of the rooms, it should be at the top of anyone’s list who is considering Kata beach. Kata beach is a great compromise for many visitors, quiet enough to be relaxing, but still having plenty of options and variety, and a great beach to top it all off. Within walking distance there is a steakhouse, a Turkish restaurant, dozens of Thai restaurants, a shopping mall, mini golf, realistically anything that you could ever need, and if you search online you can book a room for as little as $17 per night – a very good deal.
Best Mid-Range Places To Stay In Phuket
Aspery Hotel
At A Glance
Room Types: Double Room | Twin Room | Deluxe Double | Junior Suite | Classic Double or Twin
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Bangla Road, Patong beach, China Town Plaza
Price Range: $13-$27 per night
The Aspery Hotel must be one of the Phuket’s best hidden gems. Located right in the middle of the action in Patong, it’s a great choice for people looking to thoroughly enjoy themselves whilst on holiday, but unlike most of the other 500+ hotels in Patong, it offers absolutely phenomenal value. The hotel is clean and modern with comfortable rooms and an incredible rooftop infinity pool. The staff are very welcoming and professional and can answer any questions you may have whilst staying with them, plus there is an excellent restaurant on-site which serves a range of both Western and Thai foods at great prices. However, should you prefer to eat out, there is a mind boggling choice of restaurants and bars within a few minutes walk of the hotel, with the infamous Bangla road being only ten minutes away on foot.
All of this adds up to make the hotel feel like a modern, high class hotel, so much so that you won’t believe the room rates, as of writing rooms can be found online for only $14 a night which must be one of the best deals anywhere in Thailand! Tastefully decorated with clean and delightful rooms, and located only a stone’s throw from the heart of Patong’s nightlife, this hotel has everything you could possibly need and more, you will not be disappointed with the Aspery. You get a lot of comfort and convenience for your money, ignore the Aspery at your peril.
Phuket Island View Hotel
At A Glance
Room Types: Double Room | Twin Room | Superior Double | Pool View | Villa | Deluxe Family Room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Karon beach, Karon night market, Dino Park mini golf
Price Range: $38-$103 per night
The Phuket Island View Hotel is a stunning resort located at Karon beach, and is situated in amongst beautifully manicured gardens. You can choose between a standard room or a poolside villa, and in fact the resort boasts three fantastic swimming pools, as well as it’s own spa, restaurant and jacuzzi. Everything looks incredibly clean, modern and tasteful, this resort definitely has that wow factor which is truly phenomenal at this price. It goes without saying that all rooms have air conditioning, superfast Wi-Fi and modern flat screen televisions, with most rooms also having their own balcony or patio. And should you get bored of the swimming pools, the clean and beautiful Karon beach is literally 50 metres away. Located at the southern end of Karon beach, there is also a wealth of dining options within the immediate vicinity as well as any kind of amenity that you could ask for including ATMs, money exchangers, pharmacies, shops and bars. In particular there is a great seafood restaurant only metres away from the resort.
This is definitely a family orientated resort, it’s fun, friendly and unpretentious and excellently located for most visitors. If you’re looking for a clean, spacious and contemporary room, with great service and only a couple of minutes from the beach, then this could well be the resort for you. With standard rooms available from only $38 online, you can’t really go wrong – and don’t miss the on-site Italian restaurant which gets rave reviews online!
Sugar Marina Resort – Surf – Kata Beach
At A Glance
Room Types: Double Room | Twin Room | Deluxe Double | Pool View
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kata beach, Red Snapper restaurant, Karon Shopping Centre, K Plaza
Price Range: $32-$118 per night
Light, airy and modern, and decorated with designer features, this is a proper boutique hotel located only a few minutes walk from Kata beach. And whilst Kata may not be the nightlife hotspot of the island, there is plenty to see and do within walking distance of the hotel, with the popular Red Snapper restaurant and a few small bars within 2 minutes walk. Even though we are definitely out of budget territory now, you can see where your money has gone, this is an ultra-modern, trendy and very comfortable place to stay, it’s spotless throughout and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The resort exudes class and you will comfortable here from the minute you arrive.
The rooms are spacious, the beds comfortable, and the hotel has it’s own fitness centre and an incredible swimming pool. Whilst not the cheapest place to stay in Phuket, this resort has to be one of the best value hotels anywhere, it definitely has a luxury feel about it and with rooms available online at well under $40 a night, that is quite frankly amazing and this place should be on every visitor’s shortlist. From the minute you arrive you will be impressed with the interior of this hotel, it’s very chic and would be perfect for couples.
Layalina Hotel
At A Glance
Room Types: Deluxe Double Room | Duplex Room | Suite | Ocean Room | Family Room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kamala beach, Salt and Pepper restaurant, Kamala Walking Street, Phuket FantaSea, Kamala food market
Price Range: $59-$169 per night
The Layalina Hotel is located in Kamala beach, which is one of the relatively quieter destinations on the island, the main road has a few restaurants and bars plus a 7-Eleven and there is an ATM and money exchanger as well. The hotel itself is a distinct step up in terms of comfort, it’s a smaller hotel but the rooms are spacious and comfortable and no expense seems to have been spared here. Tastefully decorated with modern fixtures and fittings, this hotel oozes luxury, the swimming pool is beautiful – you can have a dip in the pool in the evening as the sun goes down and have a view out across the bay. The rooms themselves are spacious and relaxing, and are fitted out with lots of Thai hardwood furnishings and features, it’s a very inviting and delightful place to stay.
The hotel definitely has a bit of a romantic feel with a restaurant that looks out over the bay so would be a fantastic choice for couples. In the immediate vicinity there is a choice of restaurants including seafood, Thai, Italian and Indian to name but a few, however Kamala beach is more on the quiet side so a great choice for anyone looking for a relaxing break.
Baan Laimai Beach Resort and Spa
At A Glance
Room Types: Superior Double or Twin | Beach View Deluxe Double or Twin | Poolside Deluxe Double or Twin
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Patong beach, Jungceylon shopping mall, Patong night market, Bangla Road
Price Range: $80-$284 per night
Baan Laimai is a much bigger resort, there’s no doubt about it, and it has everything on site that you could possibly need, including a fresh seafood BBQ restaurant, a comprehensive massage and spa studio, a huge swimming pool and plenty of spaces to sit and read the news or just chill out. Despite it’s size, it still retains a luxury, boutique feel, with numerous friendly and welcoming staff to tend to your every need. In fact, there are a total of 3 restaurants on site, one of which is open from 6:30am every morning, and they serve a great selection of both Thai and Western foods.
However, should you chose to venture out and explore the surroundings, you will find that the resort is located in the centre of Patong, Phuket’s busiest and most happening destination with a plethora of restaurants, bars and shopping practically on your doorstep! Patong beach is literally a stone’s throw from the resort and the incredible Jungceylon mall is only about ten minutes away on foot. The location really could not be any better, and of course, if nightlife is your thing then Patong should be your first choice when staying in Phuket. If you chose Baan Laimai, you really can’t go wrong, a spotless, luxury resort right next to the beach and right in the heart of the action, and the room rates won’t break the bank either.
Best Luxury Places To Stay In Phuket
Kata Palm Resort and Spa
At A Glance
Room Types: Superior Double or Twin | Beach View Deluxe Double or Twin | Poolside Deluxe Double or Twin
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kata beach, Kata Plaza, Kata night market
Price Range: $80-$284 per night
Kata Palm is a huge, luxury resort with a real Thai feel to it, nestled in amongst tropical plants, the buildings and the rooms have been decorated in a very ornate but tasteful Thai style featuring lots of hardwoods and gilding. The resort is huge, with a gigantic lagoon pool, a fitness centre, a massage and wellness spa, and 3 fantastic on-site restaurants serving a range of different foods. The rooms are stunning, the resort is spotless and the staff are very welcoming and delightful. On-site they even have a hairdresser, a money exchanger, free Wi-Fi, a business centre and a make-up service.
The resort is located at Kata beach, as the name suggests, so you are only 50m from the beach but have a decent array of shops and restaurants within walking distance of the resort, plus there are a few small bars nearby where you can enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down in the evening. Kata is a quieter spot than either Karon and Patong and as such nightlife is very much more subdued, but if this sounds like your thing then the Kata Palm should be on your shortlist. The resort definitely has an authentic Thai feel to it instead of your general international hotel rooms, and this friendly and welcoming resort would be great for travelers with children, they’ll love the children’s pool, kid’s club and playground area.
Burasari Phuket
At A Glance
Room Types: Premier Double or Twin | Pool View Double | Elite Double | Mood Suite | Honeymoon Suite | Premier/Elite Double with Pool Access
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Patong beach, Jungceylon shopping mall, Patong night market, Bangla Road
Price Range: $122-$328 per night
Anyone who has stayed at a Burasari resort before knows that the name is associated with luxury and opulence, as is the case here with the Burasari Phuket. The place is geared towards luxury travelers but manages to do so without the usually insane price tag. Burasari Phuket is spotlessly clean, with bright, spacious and modern rooms that have a designer touch and are incredibly comfortable, and gets rave reviews online, unsurprisingly. It is in an excellent location only minutes from Patong beach and within 10 minutes walk of the fabulous Jungceylon shopping centre and within walking distance of the notorious Bangla Road if you are looking for some nightlife.
The resort is on the larger side, but still has a cosy, comfortable feel, which is only enhanced by the excellent staff who are incredibly attentive and helpful. The resort boasts two incredible swimming pools should you feel too lazy to walk the hundred yards to the beach, and two excellent on-site restaurants, one (La Citadelle) serving contemporary French cuisine and the other (Kantok) serving classic Thai and European dishes, both are very highly rated online and will not disappoint. For anyone looking for a more upmarket resort with all the bells and whistles associated with a luxury property, but who still wants to be right in the heart of the action in Patong, this is the place for you.
Sunwing Kamala Beach
At A Glance
Room Types: Studio | Baby Studio | Pool Access Royal Studio |Family Suite
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Kamala beach, Kamala night market, Phuket FantaSea, Kamala fruits & clothes market
Price Range: $174-$357 per night
Sunwing is an upmarket Swedish chain of luxury resorts, and the Sunwing Kamala beach has to be one of the absolute best family holiday destinations in all of Phuket. It’s a huge, but very well-maintained property that is definitely a cut above the other family accommodations in Kamala beach, and is an excellent choice for travelers with younger children as it is quieter than the hedonistic Patong, but still has plenty to see and do without going too far. Although, to be honest, you could never leave the resort and still have the holiday of a lifetime, they’ve certainly got all the bases covered here.
The resort boasts a huge amount of swimming pool space with it’s 7 pools, indeed from above the resort almost looks like a water park, children would be delighted here. The rooms themselves are very spacious with a modern, designer feel that the whole family will like, and there are several restaurants and bars on-site catering to your every need. As this is a family oriented resort, there are a whole range of activities including a kid’s club, kid’s water aerobics lessons, play and splash sessions, as well as having Lollo and Bernie the mascots on hand to meet younger children. They can also arrange birthday parties or treasure hunts on request. But Mum and Dad will still have a great time here, it’s a beautiful place to stay with some sensational restaurants nearby serving foods from around the globe. If you choose Sunwing it will be a family holiday that you won’t forget.
Ayara Hilltops
At A Glance
Room Types: Deluxe Suite | Grand Deluxe Suite | Inner Courtyard Suite | Junior Suite | Deluxe Triple Room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Surin beach, Laem Sing viewpoint, Wat Bang Thao
Price Range: $190-$260 per night
Ayara hilltops is a truly stunning resort right in Surin beach – one the quietest destinations on the island and perfect for people wanting a relaxing getaway. The rooms are spacious suites located on the side of a steep hill overlooking the bay below, it really will take your breath away. The villas are tastefully decorated in a clean, modern style, are very spacious, and feature their own private terraces with outdoors hot tub – although there is also an on-site swimming pool as well. The resort is home to the fabulous Sereniti spa if you fancy a bit of pampering, and the Spice poolside restaurant serves food that will blow you away whilst leaving your wallet intact. Or if you prefer, you can have your food delivered to your villa, and they also offer Thai cooking classes so that you can amaze your friends when you get home.
The Ayara hilltops is a truly unique and amazing place to stay, is super quiet and relaxing, and it would be the perfect choice for a honeymoon or couple’s holiday. Surin beach is one of the quietest parts of the island, and if you walk around the vicinity you will find mostly just others resorts. However, there is a small Tesco nearby with an ATM and money exchanger should you need any supplies, and a very good value Thai-style seafood restaurant at the southern end of the beach. Speaking of which, the beach here is very clean, with crystal clear waters and few tourists, you cannot fail to have a great time here if you are after a relaxing holiday.
Mandarava Resort and Spa Karon Beach
At A Glance
Room Types: Superior Double or Twin | Panoramic Deluxe Double or Twin |Sea Fan Deluxe Double or Twin | Horizon Large Double or Twin | Pool Access Deluxe Double or Twin | Seapearl Private Pool Access | Andaman Private Pool Villa
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Karon beach, Phuket Jungle Adventure, Karon temple market, Karon park
Price Range: $138-$621 per night
The Mandarava is an awesome luxury resort about 700m inland and up the hill from Karon beach. The resorts boasts 5 swimming pools with pool bars, a comprehensive and modern fitness centre and a massage studio and spa. The interior design and decorating is amazing from start to finish, no expense has been spared, and because it was built on a hill, the views are breathtaking. And don’t panic if you want to go to the beach, the resort has got you covered with it’s free beach shuttle service. There are a range of rooms, with some even having their own private swimming pool, but whichever you choose you will be impressed. The rooms are modern and airy, with designer bathroom fixtures and fittings including rainfall showers and oval-shaped baths. The staff are very hard working and keep the place spotless, this is undoubtedly a luxury resort.
They can book you buses to various locations including Patong and the Jungceylon shopping mall which is definitely worth a visit, and the on site Chom Talay restaurant is fantastic, which usually goes without saying at this price point in Thailand. However, should you want to venture out to Karon beach for the evening, you can take the shuttle service and sample some of the many bars and restaurants on offer. With the Mandarava, you really get the best of both worlds as you get a secluded, quiet location but quick and convenient free transport to Karon beach.
Best Ultra-Luxury Places To Stay In Phuket
Twin Palms Phuket Resort
At A Glance
Room Types: Deluxe Palm Double Room | Grand Deluxe Palm Double Room | Palm Suite | Duplex Suite | Penthouse | Presidential Penthouse
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Surin beach, Laem Sing viewpoint, Wat Bang Thao
Price Range: $290-$850 per night (more for the Presidential Penthouse!)
Opened in 2004, the Twin Palms is a modern and relaxing resort in the quiet Surin beach area, nestled in amongst several other high-end resorts. It was so popular however that in 2006, only two years later, they decided to add on another 20+ apartments, that should give you an idea of how amazing this place really is. The resort really will blow you away from the minute you arrive, once you pass through reception you will see that it consists of many accommodation buildings built around a huge central pool area. It is very luxurious with tropical trees and shrubs, with lots of Thai-style architecture including some salas (Thai pavilions). As you’d expect, the rooms are jaw-dropping with clean lines and the best furniture and fittings available – you cannot fail to be impressed no matter which type of room you choose.
Despite being such an upmarket destination, the resort is very friendly and unpretentious, with really welcoming staff everywhere from reception through to the world class restaurant. The food they serve here is out of this world, with some signature dishes which should not be missed. On top of all this, they have a modern and well equipped fitness centre with personal trainer, a steam room, a massage studio, health spa, a make up service and body treatments, the list seems to go on forever! Of course this kind of quality and luxury doesn’t come cheap (especially of you opt for the 400m2 Presidential Penthouse), but you can be rest assured that you are staying at what is arguably the best and most exclusive place on the island. If your budget stretches far enough, you won’t forget the Twin Palms resort in a hurry.
Phuket Travel Tips & Advice
Phuket is a fantastic destination whether you’re a solo backpacker, a couple on their honeymoon, or a family traveling with young children, there’s something for everyone. And for many, it will be the holiday of a lifetime, but is now very accessible with great accommodation to suit all budgets. With numerous daytime activities, great beaches and the highly entertaining nightlife options of Patong, Phuket should be on everyone’s bucket list. However, there are a few key points to be aware of to get the most of out of your time there.
- Taxi drivers on the island have long been accused of anti-competitive collusion and price gouging, therefore you should try and avoid taxis wherever possible. If your hotel has a shuttle service, make sure you book it for your arrival at the airport. If they don’t have one, try not to arrive late so you can take the bus, which is very good value.
- Thai people are friendly and welcoming, however as in almost all tourist destinations worldwide there are some bad eggs attracted by the rich pickings. Take care with people you don’t know, especially Thais who approach you out of the blue, take care of your surroundings and politely decline any invitations to go somewhere you’ve never heard of.
- Only rent a motorcycle if you have a valid motorcycle license and are confident in riding one, Thai roads are notoriously bad, many young people who come to Thailand never make it home because of the terrible driving conditions. Refuse any hire shop which insists on retaining your passport. Always wear a helmet and never drink and drive, the police frequently spot check foreign drivers. And it’s best to not hire a jet-ski – many people have had their holidays ruined after being extorted for thousand of dollars for damage to the vehicle which they did not cause.
- Bill padding, whilst unlikely to ruin your holiday, can be an annoyance. Always check your bill, and ask for it in English if you can’t read Thai. And try to carry plenty of smaller bills to avoid being short changed, if someone claims that you paid with a 500 when you know it was a 1000, it’s your word against theirs and the police won’t intervene. Unfortunately this type of behaviour has become more common as Thailand has seen a downturn in tourism this year due to various factors.
- Using a foreign bankcard in Thai ATMs is very, very expensive. There is the foreign card fee of 220 baht ($7.15) per transaction, on top of which your bank back home will charge you a hefty fee as well. When you factor in the poor exchange rate which they will undoubtedly give you, each withdrawal could end up costing you $30 a pop. Bring as much of your home currency with you as feel comfortable with (exchange rates in Thailand will be 10-15% better), and look at fee free ATM cards or even travelers cheques.
- Bangla road in Patong gets raucous in the evenings, it is not a family friendly environment. If you are offended by the sight of young girls and lady boys skimpily dressed and for hire offends you, avoid the area entirely. And if someone comes up and grabs you and kisses you, this is a common distraction tactic, know where your wallet is at all times and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Animal welfare is not really as advanced in Thailand as in the West, you may see people carrying drugged up monkeys and charging for photos – avoid these people at all costs, and avoid any “monkey shows” where the animals are forced to perform tricks.
- Stray dogs can be an annoyance, like many places in Thailand. If you avoid them, they will almost certainly not bother you, but if you are traveling with young children make sure that they are told to avoid them and certainly not touch them.
For more travel tips and information about visiting Phuket, checkout our Phuket Travel Guide.