Thailand’s appeal has escalated in recent months, thanks in large part to the crystalline waters, serene sunsets, and lush tropical landscape captured in the upcoming season 3 of the Netflix hit, White Lotus. Thailand’s best hotels span the mainland as well as its surrounding islands, Phuket being the largest. It’s blessed with more than 30 different bays and beaches, and while they all score top marks in terms of postcard prettiness, their vibes (and therefore, their accommodation line-ups) are varied.
Most of the holiday action happens around the bays on its western coast, from the laidback Nai Harn and Rawai beaches in the coral-fringed deep south to the seemingly endless stretch of crowd-free sand of Mai Khao on the island’s north. The nightlife around Patong is vibrant, Kamala is best for family fun, and there’s an inspired restaurant scene around the expat hub of Bang Tao. Cross the island’s jungle-cloaked heart for a culture fix in Phuket Town, where cafes and cocktail bars contradict the Sino-Portuguese warehouses lining its oldest streets. Nearby, the quiet and craggy coastline of Cape Panwa delivers unforgettable views over the island-dotted Phang Nga Bay.
Here, we’ve narrowed down where to stay to our favorite Phuket hotels.
How we choose the best hotels in Phuket
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known properties that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
