In a nutshell
- Planning a trip to Phuket and not sure where to stay? We’ve got you covered on our blog! Whether you’re looking for beach vibes, nightlife, or a good starting point for island hopping – there’s a perfect spot for you.
- Want to stay in the heart of the action, right by the beach with plenty of bars and nightlife? Then Patong is your place.
Our hotel tip: Hotel Clover. - If you’re heading to other Thai islands, staying in Phuket Old Town is super convenient. It’s also full of charm, culture, and cute cafés. Our hotel tip: Xinlor House.
- A great pick for a relaxed beach vacation is Kata. The beach village has some of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches and a more laid-back vibe. Our hotel tip: Niranapa Boutique Resort.
The Best Places to Stay in Phuket
Wondering where to stay in Phuket?
It really depends on what kind of traveler you are — some areas are better suited for relaxing beach days, others for nightlife or island hopping. Here are our top picks for 4 great places to stay in Phuket.
- Patong: Ideal if you want to combine a beach vacation with going out in the evening.
- Phuket Old Town: Perfect if you are only in Phuket for a short time and are island hopping in Thailand.
- Kata Beach: Strategically located if you want to see many beaches and sights in Phuket.
- Phuket Airport: Great for an overnight stay if you have an early or late flight.
Overview of the places to stay in Phuket on a map
This map shows you where our recommended places to stay in Phuket are located.
Where to Stay in Patong
Patong is perfect if you’re looking for vibrant nightlife and want to stay right on a long, sandy beach.
If you are looking for hustle and bustle and a lively place by the sea, Patong is the place for you. Patong is Phuket’s largest beach town and the island’s most popular tourist magnet.
Hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants and massage stores are lined up here and everything is geared towards tourists. At night, the famous Bangla Road turns into a hive of activity – expect loud music, wild parties, and plenty of bare skin.
The long sandy beach of Patong is great for swimming, but definitely not the most beautiful beach on the island. This is mainly due to the fact that Patong is really built up. That said, Freedom Beach is a real slice of paradise just nearby.
But if you’re looking for peace and authentic Thai culture, Patong probably isn’t the place.
Pros of accommodation in Patong:
- Lots of bars and restaurants
- Great for partying and going out in the evening
- Directly on the beach
Cons of accommodation in Patong:
- Very touristy and quite expensive
- Loud and chaotic neighborhood
- Not the most beautiful beach in Phuket
Our hotel recommendations for Patong
Nicky’s Handlebar is a stylish boutique hotel that is all about biking. The rooms are super stylish, and it’s incredibly peaceful – definitely a hidden gem in Phuket!
At Hotel Clover, you pay a little more for your room, but in return, you have a pool on the roof terrace – mega!
Where to Stay in Phuket Old Town
Old Town is ideal for first timers or if you’re just passing through Phuket and planning to hop to other islands.
Phuket Old Town is really charming – it’s not for nothing that the Old Town is one of the best places to visit in Phuket. There are many beautiful buildings here and the streets are great for strolling.
The Old Town is also well-connected to Phuket Airport, and boats to Koh Phi Phi depart from the pier in the Old Town. Therefore, a hotel in Phuket’s Old Town is great if you start your island hopping from here.
Pros of accommodation in Phuket Old Town:
- Beautiful surroundings and close to many sights
- Great starting point for excursions around Phuket
- Many good dining options
- Good selection of cheap hotels
Cons of accommodation in Phuket Old Town:
- Not on the beach
- More city than island feeling
Our hotel recommendations for Phuket Old Town
The Xinlor House is in the heart of the Old Town, yet the rooms are quiet, and it offers great value for money.
If you are looking for cheap accommodation, the Baan Sutra Guesthouse is a great place to stay in Phuket Old Town.
Where to Stay at Kata Beach
If you’re heading to Phuket for the beach and want to do a few day trips, staying near Kata Beach is a great choice – especially for couples and families.
Kata is a comparatively small place in Phuket and practically merges into Karon Village. The advantage of Kata is that you have one of the best beaches in Phuket, Kata Noi Beach, just around the corner.
You can also quickly reach other dream beaches, such as Nui Beach – as well as important sights like the Great Buddha and Wat Karon.
There are also restaurants and a night market in Kata. So you have everything you need in this little town.
Pros of accommodation in Kata:
- Beautiful beaches nearby
- Strategically good location to combine sightseeing with a beach vacation
- Good selection of restaurants
Cons of accommodation in Kata:
- Touristy place and many hotels are quite expensive
- Not so much choice of accommodation
Our hotel recommendations for Kata Beach
The Niranapa Boutique Resort is a great place to stay with a pool and lovely rooms. The hotel grounds are absolutely beautiful and a delicious breakfast awaits you in the morning.
The Shore is a very luxurious hotel, which for us is one of the most beautiful beach hotels in Phuket. You can really enjoy yourself here.
Where to Stay at Phuket Airport
There are plenty of hotels right near Phuket Airport. We recommend staying here if you land late in Phuket or leave early in the morning.
If you’re just landing in Phuket and heading straight to Khao Lak (or somewhere else), spending a night near the airport makes things easier.
The best part? Lots of budget-friendly hotels are just a short walk from the airport.
Our hotel recommendations for Phuket Airport
If you want to stay as close to the airport as possible and as cheaply as possible, we recommend Louis’ Runway View Hotel. The Phuket Airport Hotel offers more comfort and even a pool.
This was our article on where to stay in Phuket
Where have you stayed in Phuket? Would you recommend the area and the hotel? Drop us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!