Where to Stay in Phuket (2026)
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Itās also one of Thailandās most popular and most visited tourist destinations. The island offers something for everyone with stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, a rich culture, and beautiful natural scenery.
All of these attractions in one tropical destination makes Phuket a perfect holiday location in its own right – but another attraction is that Phuket also offers a great base for island hopping.
Geographically, Phuket is a gateway to the beautiful Thailand province of Krabi and the amazing islands of the Andaman Sea. These are the islands that feature the laid-back often overlooked Koh Lanta and the dreamy but often in demand Koh Phi Phi of āThe Beachā fame and all those tiny tropical islands that act like sandy stepping stones all the way to the border island of Koh Lipe and to Langkawi Malaysia.
Whatever is your ideal holiday vacation accommodation, I can assure you Phuket has it all and everything in between – from luxury beachfront resorts, mid-priced hotels, to affordable family seaside escapes.
For many the years, Iāve been visiting Thailand and Iām familiar with many of Thailandās provinces and islands. When I arrived in Phuket recently, I was looking for rest and relaxation and I planned to divide my time between Kamala Beach, a quieter beach area on the sun-kissed west coast, before moving on to the more lively Patong Beach area.
If you are wondering which area to choose and where to stay on Phuket then my accomodation guide is for you!
My guide to where to stay in Phuket looks at the different areas on Phuket, which each have their own individual vibe. Then weāll take a look at a range of handpicked accomodation choices by luxury, mid-range, and the best value in budget stays.
Weāll also take a look at some of the best rated hotels with health and wellness facilities.
Travel with me to Phuket and together weāll find your perfect place to stay in Phuket!
BEST AREA TO STAY IN PHUKET
Phuket Town
Phuket Town is the historic capital of Phuket Province and offers a different pace from the island’s beaches. The Old Town also offers excellent value accommodation, local food, charming cafes, and colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture though itās not on the beach.
The Old Town is a great cultural base for exploring the island’s heritage with plenty of temples and shrines and museums. Picturesque streets offer diverse food with great street food, coffee shops, markets (especially the Sunday Walking Street Market) and boutiques for shopping.
Check THESE top-rated hotels in Phuket TOWN
OR Find your perfect place to stay in Phuket Town using the interactive map
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is relaxed and quieter and more upscale area compared to Patong. Home to several luxury resorts with direct beach access and therefore some of the best beachfront hotels in Phuket.
The beach is a long stretch of soft white sand. In high season the water is shallow calm and clear, making Kamala a wonderful family friendly destination and ideal for a quieter relaxing holiday vacation.
Kamala Beach offers lots of dining options that offer both Thai and international cuisine. Home to beachfront restaurants and bars that are great for socializing and have sunset views.
As Kamala Beach is less than an hours drive from Phuket International Airport (HKT) it’s an ideal place to stay if you’ve arrived late in the day or if you have an early departure time. I’d arrived in Phuket after dark and so chose to stay in Kamala Beach for a couple of nights and for a day of rest and relaxation before moving onto Patong Beach Area.
Check THESE top-rated hotels in KAMALA BEACH
OR Find your perfect place to stay at Kamala Beach using this interactive map
Patong Beach
Patong Beach is the most popular area to stay in Phuket. Itās known for its fabulous beach but also for its nightlife, entertaining, shopping, restaurants, and easy access to daytrips and tours, including those that will take you to those idyllic tropical islands I mentioned on the Andaman Sea.
Patong is the best area if you want a lively nightlife, so you might like to avoid this area if you want total peace and quiet on your Phuket holiday vacation or choose – as I did – a resort hotel that promises to be an oasis of calm amongst all the craziness.
In Patong, I stayed at The Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, where Iād booked a premium room in the exclusive Busakorn Premium Wing – with its adults only facilities, designated sun loungers, and a fabulous swimming pool and swim up bar thatās accessible from right outside your own room door. Blissful!
Check THESE top-rated hotels in PATONG BEACH
Discover YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY at Patong Beach USING THE INTERACTIVE MAP
Kata Beach & Karon Beach
Kata and Karon are neighbouring beach areas that offer some of the best beaches in Phuket. Both offer a relaxed vibe and are popular for those looking for a family beach holiday. Kata is the larger of the two beaches with a long wide beach and a scenic bay that offers water sports such as surfing (at the north end), great snorkelling, scuba diving.
Along Kata Beach there are lots of good restaurants and shops and plenty of opportunities for a relaxing Thai massage. Limited nightlife. Best for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Karon Beach offers a long and uncrowded beach with soft sand. The north end being the central hub for most bars and restaurants. Karon is a favourite with many visitors as it offers a mix of budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations, including a few beachfront hotels.
Check THESE top-rated hotels in Kata and Karon Beach
PULLMAN PHUKET KARON BEACH RESORT
Find your perfect place to stay at Kata and Karon Beach using the interactive map
Bang Tao & Surin Beach
Bang Tao and Surin Beaches are known as upscale resort areas on Phuket’s west coast with long sandy beaches, beach clubs, and high-end resorts, for a relaxing luxury stay.
Bang Tao Beach is one of Phuket’s longest beaches (approx 7km) and is a larger luxurious and developed area with beach clubs, and a full and active resort experience including fine dining, spa facilities, and shopping opportunities.
Surin Beach is more compact and more laid back and tranquil area, known for beautiful scenery. Itās less developed and with less beachfront hotels than at Bang Tao and with a more peaceful vibe that will appeal to those seeking a calm luxury on their holiday vacation.
Check THESE top-rated hotels in BANG TAO AND SURIN BEACH
Find your perfect place to stay at Bang Tao & Surin Beach using the interactive map
Nai Harn & Rawai
Nai Harn and Rawai are both neighbouring areas in southern Phuket. They each have a different vibe but are generally considered peaceful and quiet compared to other Phuket beaches and with less tourist traffic.
Nai Harn is famous for its beautiful beach with soft sand and clear calm water. Perfect for those looking for a quieter beach holiday with natural beauty and spectacular sunsets.
Rawai is just a short distance away and a little more developed. Itās a lively centre for boat trips and island hopping so the beach area is often a hub for busy boats and therefore not so suitable for swimming. Thereās a seafood market, restaurants, bars, and a bustling local scene.
Also see my full destination post on reasons to love the island of Phuket!
Check THESE top-rated hotels in NAI HARN AND RAWAI BEACH
Find your perfect place to stay at Nai Harn and Rawai using the interactive map
CHOOSING WHERE TO STAY IN PHUKET
I hope you find my personal suggestions and interactive maps showing where to stay on Phuket to be informative, inspiring, and the links helpful. To summarise the different areas and holiday vacation vibes for Phuket here is my brief summary:
Nightlife & Convenience: Patong Beach
Best Beaches: Kata, Karon, Kamala
Luxury Resorts: Bang Tao & Surin
Budget & Culture: Phuket Town
FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY IN PHUKET!
ALSO: Read my post on When Is The Best And Worst Time To Visit Thailand
