Where to Stay in Phuket: Best Areas & Hotels (2025 Guide)

Are you planning an escape to Phuket, but unsure where to stay for the perfect family vacation or romantic getaway? With numerous beaches in Phuket to choose from, selecting the right one can make a significant difference.

For a tranquil escape and less-crowded experience, consider Karon and Kata, for an upscale and exclusive stay, Kamala and Surin are excellent options. Let’s find your perfect slice of paradise!

1. Karon Beach – Top Picks for Families and Couples

Featuring a laid-back atmosphere while providing a range of facilities, Karon is your top choice for a peaceful beach vacation.

The gentle waves make it perfect for safe swimming and fun beach games, especially for families with young kids. You’ll also find resorts with kids' clubs, and a bike-friendly promenade.

For couples, Karon offers a more peaceful and open beach setting, ideal for sunset walks, romantic beachfront dinners, and relaxing away from the busier scenes of Patong.

And its crystal-clear waters is good for swimming, snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding and other beach games.

As for nightlife and dining, the area offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and beachfront cafes serving both local Thai dishes and international cuisine, as well as lively nightlife options for you to unwind after sunset.

Recommended Hotels:

1. Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort

• Best for: Travelers seeking luxury with a prime beachfront location
• Why stay: Stretches along 800m of pristine private beach in Karon. Contemporary interiors with subtle Thai influences.
• Budget: Luxury, price from US $300 per night

2. Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (Karon Beach)

• Best for: Families with young kids
• Why stay: Lazy river, water slides, and a fantastic kids’ club.
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $230 per night

3. Paradox Resort Phuket

• Best for: Couples wanting boutique luxury
• Why stay: Contemporary rooms with plunge pools, and sleek black-and-white design with tropical garden backdrops.
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $200 per night

2. Kata Beach – Top Surfing Spot with Stunning Sunset Views

Neighboring Karon to the south, Kata Beach has a younger, more energetic vibe while still feeling relaxed. It’s a favorite for travelers who want a bit more action, especially during surf season (May to October) when the consistent waves attract surfers of all levels.

Beyond surfing, travelers are drawn by its spectacular sunset views, creating a romantic setting for evening strolls or seaside dining.

Please note that there are two bays in Kata. At the northern bay, most hotels require crossing a road to access the beach with larger grains of sand. We highly recommend the southern Kata Noi beach where the water quality is superior, and the sand is softer.

The area around Kata Beach offers diverse dining options with a variety of beach front restaurants, cafes, and shops, perfect for lively nightlife after sunset.

Recommended Hotels:

1. Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

• Best for: Families & couples wanting direct beach access
• Why stay: Private stretch of Kata Beach, kids’ club, 6 pools, and family suites.
• Romantic perk: Oceanfront dining at Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Budget: Mid-range to luxury, price from US $230 per night

2. Pamookkoo Resort Phuket

• Best for: Couples and families
• Why stay: a year-round outdoor swimming pool, yoga classes, and a children's playground. Beach convenience - Just 800m to Kata Beach
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $170 per night

3. Sugar Marina Resort (Kata beach)

• Best for: Couples, groups of friends who want playful style near Kata Beach
• Why stay: Sailing theme - Rope bridges, porthole windows and sailor-chic decor (Instagram gold)
• Budget: Affordable boutique, price from US $80 per night

3. Kamala Beach—Quieter, Exclusive, Upscale Cliff Villas

Looking for a more tranquil, intimate, and secluded upscale accommodations? Consider the Kamala beach.

Kamala Beach’s northern cliffs are home to some of Phuket’s most exclusive resorts. These high-end properties blend seamless luxury with the natural beauty of the Andaman Sea, offering privacy, world-class amenities, and breathtaking sunset views.

The surrounding area offers magical cliffside nest-style bar and creative dining with ocean views. And the trendy infinity pool bar with tiered seating for stunning sunset vistas, ideal for seafood and cocktails by the water.

Recommended Hotels:

1. Keemala Phuket

• Best for: Couples wanting a total escape
• Why stay: Private villas with jungle/sea views, some with suspended pools. Daily yoga, meditation sessions, and wellness cuisine
• Budget: luxury, price from US $500 per night

2. The Pavilions Phuket (Adults-Only Romance)

• Best for: Honeymooners & couples
• Why stay: Hillside infinity pools, private butlers, and stunning Andaman Sea views
• Romantic perk: "Floating breakfasts" in your villa pool
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $200 per night

3. Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach

• Best for: Upscale families
• Why stay: Direct beach access, kids' club with daily activities, and family suites
• Budget: Premium, price from US $130 per night

4. Patong Beach - Lively, Central, Vibrant Nightlife

Known for its lively atmosphere, Patong Beach is a major entertainment hub in Phuket, offering a wide range of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants catering to every taste and preference. The area comes alive at night, with vibrant lights and bustling streets.

Besides its vibrant nightlife, Patong Beach is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts, with activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling available if you are looking to add some adventure to your beach experience.

Recognized as Phuket's busiest beach, Patong attracts significant crowds, resulting in noise levels, with the sand and water quality not as pristine as in other tranquil beaches. For those seeking a peaceful or upscale beach experience, we do not recommend Patong. Kamala, Kata Noi, or Surin would be better choices.

Recommended Hotels:

1. Amari Phuket

• Best for: Couples & families seeking upscale tranquility near Patong's action
• Why stay: Cliffside sanctuary - Lush tropical grounds perched above Patong Bay with breathtaking ocean views
• Budget: Mid-range to luxury, price from US $270 per night

2. Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort

• Best for: Families & couples wanting resort comforts in central Patong
• Why stay: Full resort amenities (lagoon pool, kids' club) just 300m from Patong Beach. Smart design - Vintage-themed rooms with work desks and rain showers
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $120 per night

3. Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort

• Best for: Travelers who want reliable comfort right on Patong Beach
• Why stay: Direct access to Patong Beach (no roads to cross) with stunning sunset views. Sheraton's signature quality with Thai hospitality.
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $110 per night

5. Surin Beach—The Most Exclusive, High-end Resorts

If you are craving to stay in Phuket's most exclusive beachfront resorts and upscale villas offering luxurious amenities and personalized services, head to Surin Beach.

Surin Beach is home to some of Phuket’s most exclusive luxury resorts, such as The Surin Phuket and Twinpalms Phuket, offering private pool villas, personalized butler service, and world-class spa facilities. Many resorts are nestled on the hillside, providing panoramic ocean views, with some villas featuring direct private access to the beach.

Dining: A selection of upscale restaurants and beach clubs, such as Catch Beach Club, offering gourmet cuisine and a romantic ambiance.

Recommended Hotels:

1. The Surin Phuket

• Best for: luxury travelers
• Why stay: Iconic hillside suites with panoramic ocean views and direct beach access
• Budget: Luxury, price from US $300 per night

2. Twinpalms Phuket

• Best for: Modern luxury lovers
• Why stay: Sleek contemporary design with Phuket's most Instagram-worthy pool
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $200 per night

3. Outrigger Surin Beach Resort

• Best for: Sophisticated travelers & couples craving beachfront luxury with authentic Thai charm
• Why stay: Direct access to Surin Beach's powdery white sand (no roads to cross). Traditional Thai architecture meets modern luxury in lush garden setting
• Budget: Premium, price from US $200 per night

6. Phuket Old Town—History, Street Art, and Nightlife

If you're looking for quality accommodation but have a limited budget for beachfront resorts, consider staying in Phuket Old Town — just be prepared for about a 40-minute drive to reach the beach.

As most travelers to Phuket opt for beachfront hotels, we do not recommend this area as your first choice, unless you have a keen interest in the history and culture of the Old Town.

This UNESCO-listed historic quarter is well-known for its Sino-Portuguese architecture, vibrant street arts, and atmospheric shops that have stood for over a century.

Recommended Hotels:

1. Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra

• Best for: City explorers who want comfort & convenience near Phuket Old Town
• Why stay: Urban retreat – Modern rooms with city or pool views, just 10 mins from Old Town's colorful streets. Resort feels in the city – Massive freeform pool and spa, rare for a city hotel.
• Local Perks: Walk to Phuket Weekend Market (15 mins)
• Budget: luxury, price from US $120 per night

2. Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel

• Best for: Couples
• Why stay: Fusion of Thai and Moroccan decor, with rooftop pool overlooking the town
• Perk: Free bicycles to explore the colorful streets
• Budget: Mid-range, price from US $100 per night

3.The Memory at On On Hotel

• Best for: History buffs & budget-conscious travelers
• Why stay: Phuket’s oldest hotel (est. 1929), featured in The Beach movie
• Vibe: Retro-chic bathrooms, courtyard pool, and antique-filled lobby
• Budget: Affordable, price from US $60 per night

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