The 77-room Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is a luxury, family-friendly property set on the northwestern coast of Phuket, about a 40-minute drive from the tourist area of Patong. Expansive grounds here encompass a long beachfront with loungers and a bar, an ocean-view infinity pool, a quieter, secluded pool by the full-service spa, a modern fitness center, and kids' club. Dining options include a well-regarded fine-dining Thai eatery, and a casual poolside restaurant. All rates include a fantastic breakfast buffet with made-to-order dishes and tons of healthy fare. Spacious rooms are villas are lovely, featuring Thai-inspired decor, swish bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, and free-to-use smartphones. Some have private pools. Note that the beach is affected by low tide, pushing the water line far from the resort. For a luxury getaway closer to main tourist hub, consider Andara Resort and Villas.
The 77-room Anantara Layan Phuket Resort is a luxury, family-friendly property set on the northwestern coast of Phuket, about a 40-minute drive from the tourist area of Patong. Expansive grounds here encompass a long beachfront with loungers and a bar, an ocean-view infinity pool, a quieter, secluded pool by the full-service spa, a modern fitness center, and kids' club. Dining options include a well-regarded fine-dining Thai eatery, and a casual poolside restaurant. All rates include a fantastic breakfast buffet with made-to-order dishes and tons of healthy fare. Spacious rooms are villas are lovely, featuring Thai-inspired decor, swish bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, and free-to-use smartphones. Some have private pools. Note that the beach is affected by low tide, pushing the water line far from the resort. For a luxury getaway closer to main tourist hub, consider Andara Resort and Villas.
The upscale Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa is a stylish and modern property that offers 172 spacious and sunlit guest rooms, suites, and three-bedroom villas. All units are outfitted with mod cons like flat-screen TVs and minibars, while suites add living rooms and full kitchens -- plus many have private pools (as do the villas). One of the highlights here is the attractive outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, plus there's an adult-only rooftop pool and bar that offers stunning panoramic views over the surroundings. Two restaurants as well as spa and fitness facilities round out the features. The beach is a five-minute drive away (there's a free shuttle to the Dream Beach Club). Those looking for something beachfront might want to check out Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort instead -- though rates are higher.
The upscale Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa is a stylish and modern property that offers 172 spacious and sunlit guest rooms, suites, and three-bedroom villas. All units are outfitted with mod cons like flat-screen TVs and minibars, while suites add living rooms and full kitchens -- plus many have private pools (as do the villas). One of the highlights here is the attractive outdoor pool with a swim-up bar, plus there's an adult-only rooftop pool and bar that offers stunning panoramic views over the surroundings. Two restaurants as well as spa and fitness facilities round out the features. The beach is a five-minute drive away (there's a free shuttle to the Dream Beach Club). Those looking for something beachfront might want to check out Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort instead -- though rates are higher.
The 409-room luxury Angsana Laguna Phuket is part of a large complex of four- and five-pearl resort hotels on northwest Phuket's Bang Tao Bay. The resort's location is removed from the legendary island nightlife, but highlights include an enormous freeform pool that meanders throughout the sprawling grounds, as well as a beach club and water sports on the lagoon. Rooms are spacious, modern, and airy, with stylish bathrooms, beautiful views, and a luxe vibe, but guests should expect to pay extra for rollaway beds and breakfast. It's also worth considering the nearby Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort.
The 409-room luxury Angsana Laguna Phuket is part of a large complex of four- and five-pearl resort hotels on northwest Phuket's Bang Tao Bay. The resort's location is removed from the legendary island nightlife, but highlights include an enormous freeform pool that meanders throughout the sprawling grounds, as well as a beach club and water sports on the lagoon. Rooms are spacious, modern, and airy, with stylish bathrooms, beautiful views, and a luxe vibe, but guests should expect to pay extra for rollaway beds and breakfast. It's also worth considering the nearby Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort.
The three-pearl Pen Villa Hotel is a family-run hotel with 15 rooms. It has the feel of a guesthouse, and offers excellent home-cooked food and personal attention from the owners. Located on the slopes of Surin Hill, in a quiet area surrounded by luxury vacation homes, the atmosphere is quiet. While the property is older, it's immaculately kept; rooms are huge and bright, with enormous balconies or terraces -- but TVs are of the older flat-panel variety.
The three-pearl Pen Villa Hotel is a family-run hotel with 15 rooms. It has the feel of a guesthouse, and offers excellent home-cooked food and personal attention from the owners. Located on the slopes of Surin Hill, in a quiet area surrounded by luxury vacation homes, the atmosphere is quiet. While the property is older, it's immaculately kept; rooms are huge and bright, with enormous balconies or terraces -- but TVs are of the older flat-panel variety.
The luxury, family-friendly DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree offers 26 stunning villas with private pools situated around a lagoon, near Bangtao Beach in Phuket. Each spacious villa has a large infinity pool with built-in hot tub, living space, bathtubs and separate shower, and outdoor gazebo with loungers, plus perks such as butler service and free minibars. One-, two-, and three-bedroom villas are available. All other facilities are shared with the adjacent Banyan Tree, including well-regarded restaurants serving Thai, Japanese, and Mediterranean fare, an elegant spa with couples’ treatments, a kids’ club, an 18-hole golf course, and daily activities such as yoga and cooking classes. This is a stellar luxury pick for both families and couples, but the lack of beach views and ocean sometimes being too rough for swimming are notable downsides. Additionally, the resort is about a 25-minute drive (without traffic) to the touristy Patong area and airport. Travelers looking for even more features should consider the cheaper JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.
The luxury, family-friendly DoublePool Villas by Banyan Tree offers 26 stunning villas with private pools situated around a lagoon, near Bangtao Beach in Phuket. Each spacious villa has a large infinity pool with built-in hot tub, living space, bathtubs and separate shower, and outdoor gazebo with loungers, plus perks such as butler service and free minibars. One-, two-, and three-bedroom villas are available. All other facilities are shared with the adjacent Banyan Tree, including well-regarded restaurants serving Thai, Japanese, and Mediterranean fare, an elegant spa with couples’ treatments, a kids’ club, an 18-hole golf course, and daily activities such as yoga and cooking classes. This is a stellar luxury pick for both families and couples, but the lack of beach views and ocean sometimes being too rough for swimming are notable downsides. Additionally, the resort is about a 25-minute drive (without traffic) to the touristy Patong area and airport. Travelers looking for even more features should consider the cheaper JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.
Trisara Phuket is one of the most luxurious and private five-pearl properties in Phuket. Guests are met at the airport by an SUV and shuttled to the stylish resort, complete with a private sandy beach, infinity-edge swimming pool, three restaurants, and gorgeous accommodations with private pools and views of the Andaman Sea. There's a private boathouse and a popular Jazz Brunch on Sundays. Prices are high, but freebies include airport transportation, a breakfast buffet, chocolates, and Wi-Fi. For honeymooners and families who can afford it, Trisara is hard to beat.
Trisara Phuket is one of the most luxurious and private five-pearl properties in Phuket. Guests are met at the airport by an SUV and shuttled to the stylish resort, complete with a private sandy beach, infinity-edge swimming pool, three restaurants, and gorgeous accommodations with private pools and views of the Andaman Sea. There's a private boathouse and a popular Jazz Brunch on Sundays. Prices are high, but freebies include airport transportation, a breakfast buffet, chocolates, and Wi-Fi. For honeymooners and families who can afford it, Trisara is hard to beat.
The 48-room luxury Ayara Hilltops Resort and Spa is an adult-only resort built on the steep slope of Surin Hill, in northwest Phuket. Thanks to its hillside location and lush, jungle-like landscaping, there are unobstructed and spectacular views throughout -- especially the sunsets over the Andaman Sea on the horizon. Each room is a spacious, private villa with luxe features including outdoor showers and deep soaking tubs. However, the resort's somewhat removed location from the action in Phuket may deter some from staying here. There are cheaper 4.5-pearl hotels nearby with direct beach access, such as the Angsana Laguna Phuket, but none of them have rooms as luxurious as the Ayara's.
The 48-room luxury Ayara Hilltops Resort and Spa is an adult-only resort built on the steep slope of Surin Hill, in northwest Phuket. Thanks to its hillside location and lush, jungle-like landscaping, there are unobstructed and spectacular views throughout -- especially the sunsets over the Andaman Sea on the horizon. Each room is a spacious, private villa with luxe features including outdoor showers and deep soaking tubs. However, the resort's somewhat removed location from the action in Phuket may deter some from staying here. There are cheaper 4.5-pearl hotels nearby with direct beach access, such as the Angsana Laguna Phuket, but none of them have rooms as luxurious as the Ayara's.
There are 49 rooms at this luxury adult-only, villa-only property set high in the hills overlooking Layan Beach. The secluded location is ideal for those wanting some rest and relaxation, and the luxurious villas are designed for guests to thoroughly unwind. Each has its own infinity pool, huge bedroom, bathroom, and gorgeous views of the sea or countryside. In-villa spa treatments can be arranged. The hotel’s restaurant serves modern Thai cuisine, and the 360° Bar is a real hotspot. A free shuttle is provided to the nearest beach. Those wanting more on-site activities should check out Andara Resort and Villas as an alternative.
There are 49 rooms at this luxury adult-only, villa-only property set high in the hills overlooking Layan Beach. The secluded location is ideal for those wanting some rest and relaxation, and the luxurious villas are designed for guests to thoroughly unwind. Each has its own infinity pool, huge bedroom, bathroom, and gorgeous views of the sea or countryside. In-villa spa treatments can be arranged. The hotel’s restaurant serves modern Thai cuisine, and the 360° Bar is a real hotspot. A free shuttle is provided to the nearest beach. Those wanting more on-site activities should check out Andara Resort and Villas as an alternative.
There are 252 rooms at this four-pearl property on Phuket's laid-back west coast. Beach-lovers flock here for the white sand shores of Bang Tao Bay, and there's plenty of activities for sports-lovers as well. Tennis, a track, and water sports are all available, and the hotel shares a golf course and other activities with neighboring resorts in the Laguna complex. Rooms are spacious and modern, and all have balconies and DVD players. Those wanting to be near lively Patong Beach should check out the Horizon Patong Beach Resort & Spa as an alternative.
There are 252 rooms at this four-pearl property on Phuket's laid-back west coast. Beach-lovers flock here for the white sand shores of Bang Tao Bay, and there's plenty of activities for sports-lovers as well. Tennis, a track, and water sports are all available, and the hotel shares a golf course and other activities with neighboring resorts in the Laguna complex. Rooms are spacious and modern, and all have balconies and DVD players. Those wanting to be near lively Patong Beach should check out the Horizon Patong Beach Resort & Spa as an alternative.
The 235-room Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa is a large, mid-range, family-friendly chain outpost on the Bangtao Bay beachfront. The resort lacks an authentic Thai feel, but there are activities for all ages, including two pools (one is for adults only) and the location is convenient for sightseeing and exploring the Phuket beach scene. Rooms are spacious, but plain and somewhat dated, as is much of the property, which doesn't live up to advertised four-star standards.
The 235-room Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa is a large, mid-range, family-friendly chain outpost on the Bangtao Bay beachfront. The resort lacks an authentic Thai feel, but there are activities for all ages, including two pools (one is for adults only) and the location is convenient for sightseeing and exploring the Phuket beach scene. Rooms are spacious, but plain and somewhat dated, as is much of the property, which doesn't live up to advertised four-star standards.