Places to stay in Phuket and Hotel Recommendations
If you have not booked hotel in Phuket yet here are a few recommendations on areas to stay and some ideas on hotels. Please note that we do not have any affiliations with any hotels in Phuket listed below.
Phuket is a great place to stay not only for scuba diving but other activities also, like surfing, kiteboarding, beaches, temples, day trips etc. The island itself is quite big and developed these days, and is over 50km in length and 20km in width. Prior to the covid-19 pandemic, Phuket was home to almost 800,000 local Thais and ex-pats, with an average of over 4,000 – 6,000 new holidaymakers arriving each day through the Phuket international airport.
Website booking agents like agoda.com have over 2,500 hotels listed for Phuket, 900 being in Patong alone. There is something for everyone’s budget from beach bungalows, backpacker hostels to large fully inclusive resorts with private beaches.
We recommend using agoda.com for the best prices in hotels.
Scuba Diving Boats in Phuket Depart From the Far South of the Island
Please note that the pier where all of the scuba dive boats depart from is at the very south of Phuket Island in Chalong. This means is there is a lot of distance between the Northern tip of the island and the Southern dive pier with travel times being anywhere from 60 – 120 minutes or more.
If your main reason for coming to Phuket is for scuba diving, island tours, and/or entertainment venues then our recommendation is to stay in the southern region of Phuket (Patong, Kata, Karon, Rawai, Nai Harn, or Chalong). The northern area of Phuket around the airport (Bang Tao, Laguna, and Mai Khao) is quite a distance from activities like scuba diving, day tours, etc.
Please also note that the free transfer only applies to the towns of Kalim, Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, and Rawai.
The towns of Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Layan, Bang Tao or Surin, Phuket Town, Cape Panwa and others not mentioned in the free transfer list will incur surcharges ranging from THB 300 up to as much as THB 2,000. Please contact us if you are considering staying in these areas. Travel time from the north of the island could take between 60 min – 120 min depending on traffic.
For more specific travel times and maps please read our Phuket Travel Time Blog.
Patong:
30 min – 60 min travel time to Chalong Pier
Patong is the hub of all activity and the most popular place for visitors to stay. She has a load of different shopping and restaurant options. There is a large western shopping centre including a multi cinema. There are two largest Thai boxing stadiums and the home to Phuket’s famous or infamous nightlife strip of Bang La Road. It is very populated and can be quite seedy in areas. The beach is not the best that Phuket has to offer. For the Patong area the pick up time is usually around 7:10-7:30am, and usually returning to this area by around 6/7pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Thavorn Beach Village (SHA+) | Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort (SHA+) | iCheck Inn Patong |
| Beyond Patong (SHA+) | Patong Merlin Hotel (SHA+) | Holiday Inn Express Patong(SHA+) |
| Wyndham Grand Phuket (SHA+) | [email protected] Apartments | Memory Boutique Hotel |
| Amari Phuket (SHA+) | Grand Mecure Phuket Patong (SHA+) |
Kata:
10 min – 30 min travel time to Chalong Pier
Is to the south of Patong and has less nightlife and a more family orientated. It is a bit more upmarket than Patong and has a very nice range of restaurants. Probably more expensive than Patong and have a nicer beach. Around this area pick up in the mornings is usually around 7:20-7:40am and back in the evenings around 6/7pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| The View Phuket | Beyond Resort Kata (SHA+) | The Beach Boutique House (SHA+) |
| Kata Sea View Villas | Katathani Phuket Beach Resort (SHA+) | The Blue Pearl |
| The Boathouse Phuket (SHA+) | Ozo Phuket | The Melody Phuket (SHA+) |
Karon:
20 min – 40 min travel time to Chalong Pier
The next town south of Phuket. A lot less vibrant and less traffic and hassle. Has a modest selection of nice hotels and restaurants. The beach is ok without being great. It is one of the few places on the island you can surf (low season only). It is a favorite of the Russian tourists. This area pick up in the mornings is usually around 7:20-7:40am and back in the evenings around 6/7pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Centara Grand Beach Resort (SHA+) | On The Hill Karon Resort | Anda Beachside Hotel (SHA+) |
| Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket (SHA+) | Mandarava Resort and Spa (SHA+) | Baan Karonburi Resort (SHA+) |
Kamala
40 min – 70min travel time to Chalong Pier
Just 10 minutes north of Patong but a completely different type of beach resort. Very chilled atmosphere and close to Phuket Fantasea one of the major tourist attractions on Phuket. Plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from on both the main road and the beach area. Kamala pick up times are usually around 6:50-7:10am and return would be around 6:30-7:30pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach (SHA+) | Kamala Resortel (SHA+) | Baan Karonburi Beachfront Guesthouse |
| Intercontinental Phuket Resort (SHA+) | The Regent Resort Kamala (SHA+) | Benjamin Resort |
Chalong
5 min – 15 min travel time to Chalong Pier
Chalong Bay is where all of the day trips boats depart from, and our Aussie Divers Training Center. An extremely convenient area to stay for diving but not much else. It is more an ex pat community for the scuba diving employees and not really a tourist haven. The closest beaches are a taxi ride away. Only recommended if you’re here for the diving and and 15 minutes of extra sleep is important to you. 7:40-8am for pick up time and 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Arch39 (SHA+) | Vipa House Phuket (SHA+) | The Elysium Residence (SHA+) |
| Aochalong Villa & Spa | Casa Bella Phuket (SHA+) | Jula Place |
| Pier 42 Boutique Resort | Chalong Chalet Resort (SHA+) | Dlux Condominium Chalong |
Rawai
15 min – 30 min travel time to Chalong Pier
Quiet, laid back and only ten minutes from the pier. Plenty of decent restaurants and some nice beaches. Very little traffic, definitely has a village feel to it. There are some bars and clubs but not the place for the party crowd. 7:30-7:45am for pick up time and 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays Residence (SHA+) | The Title Rawai | Aqua Resort Phuket (SHA+) |
| Sunsuri Phuket Hotel (SHA+) | The Gallery Hotel Nai Harn (SHA+) | Navatara Phuket Resort (SHA+) |
| Serenity Resort Phuket (SHA+) | Ya Nui Resort (SHA+) | The Bedroom Nai Harn Beach |
| The Nai Harn (SHA+) | Wyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach (SHA+) |
Bang Tao
45 min – 80 min travel time to Chalong Pier
Only 15 minutes from the airport but nearly an hour from the boat departure point. Has a very nice beach and a good selection of high end restaurants as well as some great Thai food. Favoured by Russian tourists. 6:30-6:45am pick up and return would be around 7/8pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Dusit Thani Laguna (SHA+) | ||
| SAii Laguna Phuket Beach Resort (SHA+) | ||
| Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort (SHA+) |
Cape Panwa
30min – 60min travel time to Chalong Pier
A beautiful but isolated part of the island. Plenty of luxury hotels with private beaches but you won’t find a great deal of eating options outside the hotels. A 30 minute taxi ride from Chalong Pier. 6:50-7:10am pick up time, return around 6/7pm.
| Deluxe Accommodation | Mid Priced Accommodation | Budget Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach (SHA+) | ||
| Amatara Wellness Resort (SHA+) | ||
| Sri Panwa Phuket (SHA+) |
(8 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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