As Thailand’s largest island – and connected to the mainland by two bridges – Phuket has a reputation for being a bit of a party island. This is in no small part thanks due to the busy shopping and nightlife capital of Patong Beach. But there is certainly more to Phuket than just partying.
The island is a hub for beach resorts ranging from budget to luxury, quiet to vibey. There really is something for everyone! With it being such a popular destination in Thailand there is an abundance of hotels to choose from. Here are a few of our top tips for choosing your Perfect Phuket Hotel.
Patong is ideal if you are travelling for nightlife and shopping and you’re not too phased about relaxing on those quiet beaches. It’s got more of a small city feel to it really, and the hotels are situated conveniently across from the beach. Karon Beach is great for family holidays and has some lovely shopping and restaurant options for evenings, but the beach cannot be used for swimming between May and October due to the strong tides, so watch out for that. Kata Beach is a relaxed option for both families & couples and offers a few resorts right on the beach. Kamala beach is also great and ideal for honeymooners. Remember that you can always travel in a local tuk tuk (taxi) to spend an evening in Patong if you choose to stay at one of the quieter beaches or towns.
You will need to try narrow down on what you really value on your holiday and what you expect your hotel or resort to have on offer. If you have kids, choosing a child-friendly hotel or resort is of great importance. In Thailand you will find the larger hotel groups and chains will offer more facilities for kids. We can recommend a variety that offer kids pools and play areas, to specialised entertainment for different age groups. Is your idea of relaxing by the pool include sipping cocktails at a sunken pool bar? Would you like to relax at the hotel spa? Make sure you have a check list of what it is you are expecting.
Phuket has a variety of beautiful beaches, but make sure you check out which beaches are swimmable during low season. Some beaches are severely affected by the tide and are then closed off to swimmers. The beaches concentrated around Phuket’s southwest coast (Patong, Karon, Kata) are the busiest, offering beach bars, cafés and shopping. For a more low-key experience, head to the west coast to Surin, Bangtao and Layan. These beaches are also better for snorkelling or kayaking.
With the hundreds of hotels and resorts on offer, be careful. Speak to your Pentravel agent for tips and advice, or check out some hotel reviews on a reputable online review site. Hotel websites sometimes look too good to be true, and are… We have tried and tested an array of Phuket hotels, to ensure they of a quality standard. This isn’t something to worry about when booking luxury resorts, but more caution should be had when looking at budget options.
Let Pentravel help guide you through this exciting process, picking your dream Phuket holiday. Choosing the right hotel or beach resort is an essential part of having the perfect Thailand holiday. We’ve taken the effort out of it for you.
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