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.
More recommendations for where to stay in Thailand
Courtesy TrisarahotelTrisara
$$As featured on our Gold List of the best hotels in the world
Slapdash developments have made it increasingly difficult to find Phuket's postcard fantasy, but even two decades after opening, Trisara still feels blissfully cut off from the fray. Strewn throughout a jungle-cloaked cape in the island's quiet northwest, its villas offer wide-screen sea views and heaps of privacy, while down at the private beach, regulars (many of them of A-list calibre) laze along the 147-foot-long saltwater pool. The resort is also home to Phuket's most ambitious restaurant, Pru, where Dutch chef Jimmy Ophorst earned Thailand's first Michelin Green Star for its zero-waste tasting menus made with homegrown and locally sourced ingredients such as black crab from Phang Nga and caviar from Hua Hin.
Price: from around £600 per night
Peter BaashotelAnantara Mai Khao Phuket
This is fly-and-flop territory: Anantara Mai Khao’s location, just a 20-minute drive from the international airport, means you can be on your padded lounger and in the hotel where White Lotus season 3 scenes were filmed within an hour of landing. But there are other reasons to love this long-standing Thai brand favourite, from the feeling of being immersed in nature (a majority of the resort is a lilypad-dotted lagoon filled with monitor lizards and flowers) to the long golden-sand beach, lapped by fun-sized waves. If you’re seeking privacy, look no further – tall walls surround each of the huge 83 villas; within is a sizeable outdoor pool, shaded shala and stone outdoor bathtub, big enough for two. Elegant and pared-back interiors create a sense of calm; the spa, with its treatment rooms strung out across the lagoon, will help with that, too. Families love dining beachside, but try the treehouse, a Japanese omakase with fish freshly flown in from Japan, for a more grown-up evening.
Price: from around £253 per night
John W. McDermotthotelAmanpuri
Amanpuri is a golden oldie, and they simply don't make ‘em like this anymore. The Thai temple-like pavilions designed in 1988 have been imitated by resorts all over Southeast Asia, but these, scattered across Phuket's palm-tufted hills, accented with timeworn Buddhist antiques and fresh orchids, still feel like the real deal. The resort cascades down five tiers of sand-coloured stairs, meeting one of the loveliest little beaches on this side of the island. Days start with the sound of hornbills rustling in the palm leaves overhead and end with the pling-plong from the ranat ek (a traditional Thai percussion instrument) that fills the main terrace with music every evening. The property frequently appears in Condé Nast Traveller’s Spa Guide, and for good reason: its Holistic Wellness Centre, which offers everything from crystal healing sessions to hi-tech IV infusions and medical check-ups, is one of Thailand’s very best. Despite the worldwide acclaim, the resort remains blissfully serene even during the high season, although scoring the best canvas-covered beach cabanas can turn into a game of musical chairs. Ask one of the hosts to try to reserve your favourite one.
Price: from around £1,200 per night
Six SenseshotelSix Senses Koh Yao Noi
Technically not on Phuket, but a 45-minute speedboat trip away on go-slow Koh Yao Noi, Six Senses Yao Noi delivers big on the ultimate bamboo-hut-in-the-jungle fantasy. The 56 villas, hidden on the jungled slopes and bays of the island's sunrise-facing east coast, are thatched-roof tropical hideouts with bed posts from sun-bleached driftwood and expansive indoor-outdoor lounges from reclaimed teak. The vibe is Jungle Book-chic, but that doesn't mean you'll be roughing it: even the entry-level villas come with private pools, and the all-natural spa is fitted with all the bells and whistles (think: juice bar, smart tech wellness screenings and a blend-your-own-massage oil alchemy lab), and there's an all-day ice cream counter doling out jackfruit- basil-lime- and mango-flavoured scoops. And this being Six Senses, a brand with sustainability embedded into its DNA, everything is as green as it gets – staff are happy to show you around the resort's organic farm and recycling centre.
Price: from around £600 per night
Sri Panwa
Plenty has changed on Phuket since Sri Panwa opened its doors 20 years ago, but this hotel’s secluded spot on the southernmost tip of the island will help you feel blissfully cut off from the lively hubbub elsewhere. It’s here, on a steep hillside dotted with astonishing suites and villas with pools, that you’re just as likely to bump into a celebrity (Gordon Ramsay, Jason Statham and Rita Ora have all stayed) as much as on an oldtimer (some guests have been visiting twice a year for two decades).
It’s tempting to hole up in your suite or villa for your entire stay: each has a private pool, simple, clutter-free interiors and sensational sea views. But venture out, and you’ll discover what really makes Sri Panwa special: like sinking into a floor cushion and sipping cocktails beneath an apricot-hued sky at Baba Nest (easily one of the best sundowner spots on the island) or settling in for a 15-course Japanese tasting menu at iki.
In the the thatched-roof rooms of the spa you can try any number of treatments, from the quirky (mango sticky rice body polishes, for example) to the highly effective (the Thai herbal healer starts with a warm compress of galangal, kefir, lime and lemongrass and is followed by a pleasingly deep tissue massage that will quickly soothe any long-haul flight tension). More recently, a collaboration with the BDMS clinic has seen everyone from stressed-out CEOs to burnt-out influencers (yes, really) check in for two- to 14-night sleep programmes, with personalised sleep testing and curated IV therapy, mindfulness, sleep healing and massage sessions that promise to address the root causes of sleep disruption. And while the focus of a stay here is on slow moments and deep relaxation, you’re just a 20-minute drive from the pretty architecture and charming energy of Phuket Town.
Price: from around £330 per night
Iana Ianakieva | www.thewanderlustlab.com |The Pavilions
It’d be right to address the metaphorical elephant in the room: what The Pavilions doesn’t have is direct access to its own stretch of beach. While this is a dealbreaker for some, it’s not for the 20- and 30-something couples that choose this hotel – these are people who are happy to lounge by their own private pool in the morning, before hopping on a moped and venturing out to see more of Phuket – and its beaches – in the afternoon. Its location, on the north-west coast of Phuket, makes it a good spot to start exploring from, but there’s plenty to keep you here too, including two pools (one of which is adult-only) and a huge lounger-lined lagoon with blue and green LED lights that sparkle at night.
While the interiors in some suites and villas may raise a few eyebrows, with their ketchup-red sofas, butterfly-adorned rugs and black furniture, it’s a refreshing and fun break away from the more traditional Thai decor you’ll find at a lot of hotels. And if that is more of your thing, some rooms are much more toned down, with creamy palettes, floaty fabrics and four-poster beds. Both room categories are huge in comparison to other options on the island, particularly the villas, which come with private pools and give you exceptional bang for your buck. Restaurants include a great Thai and a good Italian for when pad thai fatigue sets in, and there’s a dreamy spa, surrounded by jungle greenery, with a treatment menu featuring Moringa Project products, a family-run business that uses oil from the pods of the moringa, or ‘miracle’ tree.
Price: from around £159 per night
hotelTwinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort
To coin the term ‘glamping’ would undersell the whole experience at this Twinpalms hideaway, where one- and two-bedroom tents are fronted by a winding lagoon dotted with lily pads and bordered by tropical greenery. An additional five one-bedroom tents are situated directly on the beach. Each tent is kitted out with king-size four-poster beds, large bathrooms with rain showers, air conditioning, and 24-hour butler service. Some of the lagoon tents have outdoor decks with private plunge pools and expansive living areas. Neutral tones, rattan and brown leather furnishings, and antique-style wooden furniture characterise each indoor space so elegantly that interiors barely resemble a tent at all.
There's no on-site dining here, but guests have access to Twinpalms’ portfolio of restaurants, all of which are a walk or shuttle ride away. There is an on-site tent spa, though, where therapists take a holistic approach combining contemporary and traditional Thai healing treatments and using organic products. Anna Gladwin
Price: from around £200 per night
Rosewood Phuket
This hotel may be located within eyeshot of Patong Beach, the island's rowdy epicentre, but from the moment you turn up at its monogrammed entrance gates, it feels a world away. Sprawled over a lush hillside dotted with ancient banyan trees and indigenous foliage, its 71 elegant villas and suites feel more like island homes than hotel digs, thanks to their cosy living-room spaces decorated with keepsakes, fresh flowers and coffee-table books. The Asaya spa is one of Rosewood’s best in the region, where serious spa junkies should book themselves into the Asaya Villa, a spacious day-use spa retreat with a private watsu pool and Himalayan salt sauna. The four restaurants, providing treats from Italian comfort food to poolside surf and turf, are roomy and relaxed, with Ta Khai (modelled after a Thai fishing village, dishing up authentic Thai plates from open kitchens) being the rightful signature spot. There’s also a seriously good kids’ club – wooden toys, educational activities, the works – making it a great stay for the whole family.
Price: from around £450 per night
Banyan Tree Phuket
The adjoining stretch of Bang Tao beach might not be the most picturesque, and the setting between apartment buildings not the most enticing – but none of that matters after you’ve checked in at one of Banyan Tree’s private pool villas. Somewhat confusingly, the villas – classic Thai affairs with pointed roofs and teakwood floors – are spread over three distinct areas: book the adult-only Spa Sanctuary villas for all-you-can-spa perks, or the DoublePool villas for twin pools and heaps of space. But even the entry-level villas at the primary address offer plenty of comforts, with open-air bathtubs, walled gardens and pools long enough for laps.
Price: from around £240 per night
Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga Resort & Spa
Strictly speaking, Aleenta Phuket is located in the Phang Nga region, just to the north of Phuket. The reason you’re here? To escape the crowds. The beach is the perfect place to do that: the palm-fringed sweep of sand is dotted with a few quiet-seeking travellers and some friendly dogs. The contemporary all-white beachside villas are the perfect rooms to make the most of the setting: with large pools and rooms each with its own entrance (separated from the main villa living space), they’re perfect for groups of friends or grown-up families. Little guests will be happy here too, with a small but sweet kids' club featuring a shallow pool and slide, plus activities like tie-dye t-shirt making. Settle in for relaxed lunches and evening meals – think burgers or curries – at the beachside restaurant, or try the plant-based restaurant, Seasons, one of the few in the region. The chef’s multi-course tasting menu is worth the trip to Aleenta, even if you’re not staying.
Price: from around £180 per night
Martin MorrellCOMO Point Yamu
There are only a few hotels of note on Phuket’s sunrise-facing east coast, with COMO Point Yamu being the brightest of the bunch – and in our opinion, one of the best hotels in all of Thailand. Set on the tip of Cape Yamu, this wellness-focused place balances out its straight-lined design with inherently Thai touches (gorgeous Buddhist artworks among them) and a pinch of Mediterranean flair courtesy of Italian designer Paola Navone. Rooms are sleek, done up in crisp whites and electric-blue hues, and have fabulous views over Phang Nga Bay. There is no direct beach access, so soak up the sun in the brilliant 330ft pool.
Price: from around £200 per night
The Surin
Sharing the same beach and architect – the late Ed Tuttle – as Amanpuri next door, this long-standing classic on Phuket's west coast has garnered a loyal following for its well-priced rooms and outstanding service. The dramatic Thai-inspired Lomtalay restaurant and sweeping granite staircases leading up to it have Tuttle's fingerprints all over it, as does the lounger-lined hexagonal swimming pool clad in chalkboard-black anthracite. Rooms, on the contrary, are bright and breezy affairs with palettes of white and grey warmed up with touches of gemstone-hued silk. All have ocean-facing lounge decks, and some come with private plunge pools. Another perk: cream-coloured Pansea Beach is one of Phuket's prettiest and is hard to reach for non-hotel guests, leaving it blissfully empty of tourist crowds.
Price: from around £250 per night
- jungle dwellings – teakwood walls, stone-carved bathtubs and fabrics in earthy tones. If you manage to leave your cocoon, the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive away, but Keemala’s expert Mala Spa and health-focused Mala Restaurant (opt for the southern Thai specialities) provide just as many opportunities to up the feel-good factor.\n<strong>Price:</strong> from around £400 per night","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":480,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_320,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"},{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_640,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":960,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_640,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"},{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_1280,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":1536,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_1024,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"},{"height":3072,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_2048,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_1280,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":1920,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bedee4e09f53b4373306f/master/w_1280,c_limit/birds-nest-shower-keemala-phuket-nov19-pr.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Keemala
Look for Phuket inspiration on Instagram, and you’re guaranteed to come across Keemala, a highly photogenic hotel pitched in the Kamala rainforest on the island’s west coast. Its hillside retreats range from glamorous safari tents to two-storey tree houses and come with private pools and adjoining sundecks (book the Bird’s Nest Pool Villas if you’re after extra space). The interiors meld safari chic with jungle dwellings – teakwood walls, stone-carved bathtubs and fabrics in earthy tones. If you manage to leave your cocoon, the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive away, but Keemala’s expert Mala Spa and health-focused Mala Restaurant (opt for the southern Thai specialities) provide just as many opportunities to up the feel-good factor.
Price: from around £400 per night
Sala Phuket
Homegrown hotels generally play second fiddle to the big-brand-name digs on Phuket, but SALA Phuket is a notable exception. Don’t let its location near the airport turn you off – noise from planes is minimal, and wonderfully deserted Mai Khao beach on its doorstep is one of the island's prettiest. There are a handful of balcony suites, but the pool villas are the ones to book. Each is a white-washed sanctuary accentuated by shades of taupe, grey and Portuguese-tiled, open-air bathrooms that reference the island’s trade history. The SALA Spa has an excellent reputation, as does the restaurant – order the fragrant beef-cheek curry with mushrooms and betel leaves.
Price: from around £120 per night
V Villas Phuket
With just 19 villas cantilevered on the hills above Ao Yon bay on Phuket's southeastern tip, this straight-lined and high-ceilinged retreat is a bijou hideaway that's big on service and views. Each of its sun-flooded villas, some with multiple bedrooms, is hugged by a private infinity pool long enough for laps and appointed with a butler on call for boating excursions, spa reservations and floating breakfasts (if that's your jam). The main restaurant, YON Beach House, serves a Thai-European medley of tuna tartare, tiger prawn-topped noodles, and squid ink risotto. And even if you're not sleeping over, the lounge-y, daybed-dotted rooftop bar is worth a stop for the spectacular sunsets alone.
Price: from around £547 per night
