Ten top spots to stay in Phuket

There are more than 500 hotels on the island of Phuket, Thailand's major tropical island. There's something in every price range. Here are ten favorite places to stay.

Trisara: (39 rooms).

This is one of the most lavish and luxurious places to stay anywhere in the world. There are more than 250 employees looking after some of the finest hotel rooms you can find anywhere. This is mega expensive. The cheapest meal, breakfast, costs $25 a person plus a hefty 17.8% service charge plus taxes (December 2008 price). The location, just a 15-minute drive from the airport, is on a quiet part of the island away from the noise and glitz.

Amanpuri Resort: (40 pavilions).

This is another expensive place to stay on Phuket with its luxury pavilions set in a coconut plantation above the beach. Amanpuri translates to “place of peace” which this certainly is. Noted for incredible service with many more employees than guests, this resort is perfect for peace and quiet and not the noisy nightlife that so many parts of Phuket are famous for.

Banyan Tree Phuket: (148 villas).

This is truly a piece of paradise in Phuket where your own villa is a private oasis in a resort that is teeming with tempting things to do from golf, to a relaxing hour in a upper class spa or just relaxing on a quiet beach. It is expensive but the quality of service and accommodation warrants the money. Traversing around the vast property with its lakes and lush gardens is easy: Within minutes of a call to reception a golf buggy awaits you at your villa.

JW Marriott Resort and Spa: (265 rooms).

This is spectacular from the imposing lobby with its expansive infinity ornamental pool to the luxurious rooms or suites which face the Andaman Sea or command views of the tropical gardens or pools. There are 10 restaurants and bars, a magnificent spa and wellness center and three outdoor pools. The property is on an expansive beach which currently has no neighboring buildings enabling long walks on deserted sands.

The Boathouse: (36 rooms).

The Boathouse is the brainchild of talented Thai architect Mom Tri Devakul who built the resort as a hotel for people who prefer not to stay in hotels. They are his words. The complex is really a very fine restaurant with rooms all sitting alongside Kata Beach, one of Phuket's finest expanses of soft sand. A plus factor of the resort's location is that it is on a shopping street that provides a pleasant evening stroll and bargains galore.

Novotel Beach Resort Panwa: (75 rooms).

This is a peaceful tropical resort nestled aside a tropical forest in an up market residential area. This is an idyllic retreat for honeymooners and families seeking a vacation with a little more peace and quiet. A private beach with nice tree shaded areas, luxury rooms, a sparkling swimming pool and play areas for the younger ones are all plus factors. Phuket City, a 10 minute drive, is the closest spot for major shopping and dining. Cape Panwa, somewhat closer, does offer limited shops and eating spots.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket: (423 rooms).

This resort is loaded with luxury and located in the up market Laguna area on the northwest of Phuket Island on pristine Bang Tao beach. Fine food, incredible service in a tropical ambience makes the Sheraton and its neighboring resorts, very much THE place to stay in Phuket. The resort has ranked amongst the five best resorts in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hilton Phuket Arcadia: (685 rooms).

Three spectacular swimming pools with a waterfall complement this resort which is the biggest quality hotel of in Phuket with its 685 rooms set in 75 acres of tropical gardens. Karon Beach and the Andaman Sea are separated from the hotel by a busy road, but hotel police make the crossing easy. Good priced packages make this an affordable family vacation spot. Major drawback is the large size which is designed not only for family vacations but also large group meetings.

Amari Coral Beach Resort: (192 rooms).

The address says Patong but this luxury resort sits on a headland at the southern end of the beach and enjoys spectacular views away from the nearby concrete clutter. The rooms are all to the highest standard all newly renovated. Nice touches here are the choice of swimming pools and highly-rated restaurants.

TwinPalms: (76 rooms).

An elegant, modern boutique hotel with only 76 luxury rooms and suites surrounded by palm trees and cleverly arranged around large swimming pools. The TwinPalms (their way of spelling it without a space) only came into full operation in 2005 and has an excellent spa with nine treatment rooms, gym, wellness center, well stocked library and has free internet access in every room.

About the author:

Christopher Evans, co-author of Adventure Guide to Thailand, a best selling guide book, has spent ten years visiting different parts of Thailand.

This article and images are copyright of Christopher Evans.

You can copy and reuse this article but only if you include all of the above information, this copyright notice, and you do not change any links in the article, the author's and presenter's information.

Review the copyright information (opens in a new window).