Hotels in Phuket City

Best time to visit Phuket

Phuket’s tropical climate varies between warm, cool and rainy. The tourist high season is from November – February when the weather is cool and dry, and average temperature is around 25 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to enjoy the beaches and water sports activities as the sea waters are relatively calmer. From March – mid-May, the temperature hovers around 35 degrees Celsius. The rest of the year is monsoon season with high levels of humidity and average temperatures between 28 – 30 degrees Celsius. Hotel rates drop drastically and the island’s tourist traffic is at an all-time low, so you are sure to find attractive deals and bargains if you visit during the monsoons.

Getting around Phuket

Most hotels in Phuket are located along the beach, within close proximity to several shops and restaurants; hence, it is easy to get around on foot within this area. To explore the rest of the island city, you can hop on to blue open-air buses called Songtaew which run between the beach resorts to Phuket Town with fares starting at 15 THB. You also have air-conditioned ‘micro’ buses that service the Phuket Town area and have a flat fare of 10 THB. Another option for travelling short distances is the red mini-van called Tuk Tuk. You will also see a large number of motorbike taxis or regular private taxis on the island. Fares for the Tuk Tuks and taxis have to be agreed with the driver before starting the journey, and can widely vary depending on your bargaining skills and the distance travelled. To go to the nearby fishing sites and islands, you can hire a boat from Markham Pier, Chalong Bay, and Rawai Beach.

Best places to stay in Phuket

Whether you’re travelling for luxury, romance or a family holiday, the beautiful ‘Pearl of the Andaman’, Phuket island is an ideal short-stay destination. From beach activities to nightlife, events and city centre attractions, there is much to see and do in Phuket. The island city has plenty of sandy beaches and each beachside location is like a charming neighbourhood with its own unique offerings. The city has a wide range of accommodation options, so you can experience the ultimate seaside luxury in the most exotic resorts or find a number of neat budget hotels around the various beaches.

Patong

Phuket’s most developed tourist area, Patong, has a 3-kilometre long coastline and plenty of beachfront resorts offering excellent family-friendly amenities. You will also find Phuket’s liveliest clubs and bars in this area. For the ultimate luxury resort experience, stay at one of the exclusively designed villas at the Jirana Patong hotel. Another option is the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa, a polished resort featuring stylish, spacious rooms with a host of luxury amenities. You also have the award-winning Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong – Mcgallery by Sofitel hotel to indulge in 5-star luxury and hospitality.

Kata Beach

A blend of laidback and action-packed, the broad, curvy, tropical palms-lined Kata Beach is divided into 2 bays, the smaller and tranquil Kata Noi and the buzzing and active Kata Yai. For the ultimate royal experience, look at Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, a boutique hotel which was originally a summer house of the renowned artist and architect Mom Tri. The distinctive suites feature Thai antiques blended with modern, luxurious comforts. Or stay at the Kata Seaview Villa hotel which offers hill-top accommodation surrounded by beautiful gardens overlooking the turquoise waters of Kata Beach.

Phuket Town

Phuket Town is where you will experience the true local Thai culture. The narrow streets are lined with beautiful Sino-Portuguese buildings, small markets, shops and restaurants. Most of the hotels in the area are mid-sized and cheap, but full of character, especially those near the historic Old Town. A 5-minute walk from the Phuket Trickeye Museum, you have the elegant Chinese inspired boutique accommodation at Sino House Hotel Phuket Town. Or consider the quirky sweets-themed hotel, The Tint at Phuket Town, just a 4-minute walk from the Talang Road shopping area. On Phang Nga Road in the heart of Phuket Town, you have the Blu Monkey Hub and Hotel, located in a trendy building surrounded by shops, cafés and bars.

Bang Tao Beach

This area offers long stretches of soft, white sand beach, some of the best international cuisine, fine dining restaurants and a host of antique and artefact shops. Stay at the beautiful tropical-themed property of Banyan Tree Phuket which encircles the sparkling waters of a saltwater lagoon, or look at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort. You may also want to consider the ultrachic adults-only hill-top property of The Pavilions Phuket.

Kamala Beach

If you wish to experience a relaxed seaside community and a peaceful village-like atmosphere, the Kamala Beach area on Phuket’s west coast is where you should find your accommodation. Experience a contemporary Asian style and warm hospitality at The Mareeya Place boutique hotel or stay at the spectacularly designed property of Kamala Tropical Garden Resort.

Rawai Beach

A beautiful, shady beach with plenty of local restaurants that offer freshly barbequed seafood, this is a popular area that attracts a lot of tourists. Book one of the signature villas with a private pool at the Baannaraya Pool Villas hotel. Or consider the Le Piman Resort featuring exclusive pool-facing villas located just 2-minutes from Rawai Beach. You also have the boutique hotel Phu NaNa which offers self-contained villas with gardens and private balconies, right on the beach.

Mai Khao Beach

A serene stretch of white sands, this is Phuket’s northernmost and most peaceful beach. Some of the most luxurious and exclusive Phuket hotels are located in this area. Consider the Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club resort, which features spectacular pools, manicured gardens, and fresh lily-laden ponds. Or enjoy a stay at the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa which boasts of luxury villas with private plunge pools, and the ultimate relaxation at its 5-star spa facility, Quan Spa.

Cheap hotels in Phuket

There are plenty of cheap hotels in Phuket. While most of these properties will be a little further away from the beaches, you may be surprised to find that there are several beachfront properties run by international hotel chains that offer accommodation for as low as $100 AUD – $125 AUD. Look at the Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach resort, the Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach and the Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach. If you don’t mind a little walk to the beach, then stay at The Little Moon Residence, set in a colourful building near Patong Beach, or the Sinthavee Hotel Phuket in the heart of Phuket Town. You also have the Must Sea Hotel Kata Boutique just a 5-minute walk from Kata Beach.

The white sand beaches, sparkling sea water and lively towns alone are enough to create an enchanting Phuket holiday. Add to that a host of water sports, entertainment, dining, clubbing, exotic Thai culture and temples, and you have a packed itinerary to discover the beautiful Phuket.

• Visit Nakkerd Hills to see the giant 45-metre tall Buddha statue, which is one of Phuket’s most cherished landmarks.
• Awaken your spiritual side and admire the ornately decorated Wat Chalong temple. The glittering glasswork casts splendid reflections on its many pagodas.
• Take a leisurely stroll in Old Phuket Town to admire the colonial and Chinese architecture, and browse through some funky shops in the area.
• Visit Phang Nga Bay and capture beautiful pictures of the sheer limestone cliffs that stand vertically in the turquoise bay waters.
• Spend the day at the sprawling Sirinat National Park, which is spread over a 13-kilometre coastline. It features several beautiful white sand beaches and adjoining forests that boast exotic flora and fauna.
• Book a day tour to Phi Phi Island or Koh Panyee to sunbathe on virgin beaches and snorkel amongst exotic marine life and coral reefs.
• Bike along the beachside bicycle path and indulge your taste buds at a host of fresh seafood restaurants along the 3-kilometre coastline of the Karon Beach.
• Go bar or club-hopping or just enjoy the general fun and night-time entertainment along Patong’s Bangla Road.
• Watch one of the fancy cabaret shows that feature great performances by the renowned lady-boys, or watch a performance of trapeze artists, pyrotechnics, and elephants on stage at the Las Vegas-style Phuket FantaSea show.
• Hike up to the Karon Viewpoint or Monkey Hill in Phuket Town to admire marvellous sunsets and the fascinating vistas of Phuket Island.