Best hotels in Phuket, Thailand
Sun-kissed sand, crystalline water – when it comes to sublime stays by the beach, you’ll find some of the buzziest and best hotels in Thailand on Phuket. This Andaman island is surprisingly big, so there’s a hotel to suit every wishlist. If it’s simple fly and flop you’re longing for, the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas is just 20 minutes from the airport and was the filming location of a huge amount of season three of the HBO hit, The White Lotus. At the southernmost tip, Sri Panwa has some of the most sensational sunset views (and villas on the island) and is just 15 or so minutes from the charming energy of Phuket Town. Meanwhile, a coffee and croissant on Trisara's tranquil breakfast terrace remains Thailand’s loveliest way to start the day, and, despite being one of the most luxurious on the island, Rosewood Phuket caters as much to your littles as you. And the sensational curve of sand that Amanpuri and The Surin share on the west coast of the island? It’s one of the best beaches in Phuket (if not in the world). This is a definitive list of the best hotels in Phuket, as chosen by two writers who visit Thailand at least once a year.
Editor's picks:
Best on the beach: Trisara and Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga Resort & Spa
Best for couples: Banyan Tree Phuket and Amanpuri
Best for families: Rosewood Phuket and Anantara Mai Khao Phuket
Where to stay in Phuket
Phuket is the largest of Thailand's islands, and flights from London are direct, so hotel options are vast. It’s blessed with more than 30 different bays and beaches, and while they all score top marks in terms of postcard prettiness, their vibes (and, therefore, their accommodation line-ups) are varied. It's also exceptionally well-connected. Just a short speedboat ride away are Koh Pangang – home of the infamous full moon party – and Koh Toa, where daytrippers can enjoy some of the clearest snorkelling spots in the area. But on the island itself, there's plenty to explore.
Most of the holiday action happens around the bays on its western coast, from the laidback Nai Harn and Rawai beaches in the coral-fringed deep south to the seemingly endless stretch of crowd-free sand of Mai Khao on the island's north. The nightlife around Patong is vibrant, Kamala is best for family fun, and there’s an inspired restaurant scene around the expat hub of Bang Tao. Cross the island's jungle-cloaked heart for a culture fix in Phuket Town, where cafes and cocktail bars contradict the Sino-Portuguese warehouses lining its oldest streets. Nearby, the quiet and craggy coastline of Cape Panwa delivers unforgettable views over the island-dotted Phang Nga Bay. Here, we've narrowed down where to stay to our favourite Phuket hotels.
How we choose the best hotels in Phuket
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
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