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Phuket’s Best Hotels

You’ll find everything from wallet-friendly boutiques to splurge-worthy beach resorts, a curated article by Rich Report.

Hotels abound on Thailand’s largest island and longest-standing holiday hotspot, but choosing the right one can be a challenge. From coastal retreats to jungle hideouts, private beaches to personal butlers, muay Thai trainers to twin pools – there is something for everyone. There are more than thirty different bays and beaches in Phuket, and while they all are postcard-perfect, their vibes (and hotel lines) vary greatly.

Almost all of the island’s holiday activity takes place around the bays on its western coast, from the laid-back beaches of Nai Harn and Rawai in the coral-fringed deep south to the seemingly endless stretch of sand of Mai Khao in the north. Between Patong and Kamala, you’ll find naughty nightlife, family fun, and a vibrant restaurant scene around Bang Tao, the expat hub. In the Sino-Portuguese warehouses lining Phuket Town’s oldest streets, smart cafes and next-gen cocktail bars breathe new life into the island’s jungle-cloaked heart. You can also see the island-dotted Phang Nga Bay from the craggy and quiet coastline of Cape Panwa.

Our picks for the best Phuket hotels – in no particular order – are culled from the hundreds of places to stay.

Amanpuri

As spectacular as it was when it opened on a coconut grove on Phuket’s west coast back in 1988, Amanpuri still tops the list of best hotels in Thailand. Coming here has become a rite of passage for Aman junkies from all over the globe; it was the first hotel in a collection that would change luxury travel and hotel design forever. Architect Ed Tuttle (a creative force for the group) made a timeless classic with the midnight-blue pool at the entrance and the dramatic staircase down to the semi-private beach. There are forty polished teakwood pavilions, each filled with crisp linen, fresh orchids, and spa-like bathrooms that cover almost half of the hotel’s floor space. They all have sala-covered sundecks and some have private pools as well. In addition to the usual spa trappings, Aman’s Holistic Wellness Centre offers medical services like IV nutritional infusions and cryotherapy.

Keemala

If you search for Phuket inspiration on Instagram, you’re sure to come across Keemala, an incredibly photogenic resort located on the island’s west coast. From luxurious safari tents to two-storey tree houses, all have private pools and sundecks (book the Bird’s Nest Pool Villas if you need more space). With teakwood walls, stone-carved bathtubs, and earthy fabrics, the interiors combine safari chic and jungle dwellings. Although Keemala’s Mala Spa and health-focused Mala Restaurant (try the southern Thai specialties) provide plenty of chances to feel good, the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive away.

Trisara

A luxurious hotel set on its own cape on the north-west side of Phuket is one of the best – and most expensive – places to stay in Phuket. 39 secluded villas are as pretty as they are spacious, decorated in a modern Thai style and equipped with ocean-view terraces, an infinity pool, and butler service. Trisara’s remote location means there are no tourist sights nearby, but that doesn’t matter: the hotel has a gorgeous pool with sunbeds for lounging, as well as a powdery white beach accessible only to guests. With sensational ocean views and soothing Thai massage treatments, Jara Spa offers three excellent restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Pru and Seafood by Trisara’s famous barbecues.

The Surin

Known for its exemplary service and well-priced rooms, this long-standing Phuket classic shares the same beach and architect as Amanpuri next door. There’s no denying that Tuttle’s fingerprints are all over the dramatic Thai-inspired Lomtalay restaurant, with its sweeping granite staircases and chalkboard-black hexagonal swimming pool. White and gray palettes are warmed with touches of gemstone-colored silk in the rooms, on the other hand. Some come with private plunge pools, and all have ocean-facing lounge decks. Pansea Beach, which is cream-coloured and hard to reach for non-hotel guests, is another appealing feature.‍

Banyan Tree Phuket

The adjacent stretch of Bang Tao beach might not be the most picturesque, and the setting between apartment buildings might not be the most enticing – but none of that matters once you’ve checked into your Banyan Tree private pool villa. Rather confusingly, the villas, all with pointed roofs and teakwood floors, are spread across three distinct areas: choose the spa-only Spa Sanctuary villas for all-you-can-spa perks, or the DoublePool villas for twin pools and plenty of space. Even the entry-level villas at the main address offer plenty of amenities, like open-air bathtubs, walled gardens, and swimming pools long enough to swim laps in.‍

Rosewood Phuket

From the moment you turn up at its monogrammed entrance gates, this hotel feels a world away from Patong Beach, the island’s rowdy epicentre. There are 71 elegant villas and suites spread across a lush hillside with ancient banyan trees and indigenous foliage that feel more like island homes than hotel rooms, decorated with keepsakes, fresh flowers, and coffee-table books. Spa junkies should book themselves into the Asaya Villa, a spacious day-use spa retreat with a watsu pool and Himalayan salt sauna, one of Rosewood’s best in the region. Ta Khai, which serves authentic Thai food from open kitchens modeled after Thai fishing villages, is the hotel’s rightful signature restaurant, offering Italian comfort food to poolside surf and turf. In addition, there’s an excellent kids’ club – wooden toys, educational activities, the works – so the whole family can have fun together.

COMO Point Yamu

The COMO Point Yamu is one of the best hotels in Thailand, and one of only a few of note on Phuket’s sunrise-facing east coast. On Cape Yamu’s tip, this wellness-focused resort combines straight-lined design with Thai touches (such as beautiful Buddhist artworks) and a hint of Mediterranean flair, thanks to Italian designer Paola Navone. With stunning views of Phang Nga Bay, the rooms are sleek and decorated in crisp whites and electric blues. Although the hotel does not have direct access to the beach, COMO’s swanky beach club, set on a semi-private island, more than makes up for it.‍

Sala Phuket

SALA Phuket is one of the few locally owned hotels on Phuket that stands out among the many big-name hotels. You won’t be bothered by its location near the airport – noise from planes is minimal, and you’ll find one of the island’s most beautiful beaches right at your doorstep. It is best to book the pool villas rather than the balcony suites. Whitewashed sanctuaries are complemented by taupe, gray, and Portuguese-tiled, open-air bathrooms that refer to the island’s trade history. Both the SALA Spa and the restaurant have great reputations – order the fragrant beef-cheek curry with mushrooms and betel leaves.‍

Six Senses Koh Yao Noi

Though not technically on Phuket, Six Senses Yao Noi is located on go-slow Koh Yao Noi, 45 minutes by speedboat. There are 56 villas on the east coast of the island, hidden on the jungled slopes and bays. Each villa features a thatched roof, bed posts made of sun-bleached driftwood, and indoor/outdoor lounges made of reclaimed teak. Even the entry-level villas come with a private pool, and the natural spa is equipped with all the bells and whistles (think: juice bar, smart technology wellness screenings and blend-your-own-massage oil alchemy lab). An all-day ice cream counter serves scoops of jackfruit, basil, lime, and mango ice cream. The resort’s organic farm and recycling center are a great example of Six Senses’ commitment to sustainability.‍

V Villas Phuket

On Phuket’s southeastern tip, this straight-lined and high-ceilinged retreat offers 19 villas cantilevered on the hills above Ao Yon bay. Its sun-filled villas, some with multiple bedrooms, come with a private infinity pool long enough for laps, as well as a butler for boating excursions, spa reservations, and floating breakfasts (if that’s your thing). Tuna tartare, tiger prawn-topped noodles, and squid ink risotto are all featured in YON Beach House’s main restaurant. Spectacular sunsets make the loungey, daybed-dotted rooftop bar worth a visit even if you’re not staying over.

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