Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa is a fairly typical upper-mid-range holiday complex with an unusual twist in dividing the resort between family-focused and adult-only wings. There's still plenty for everyone, with three pools and a wide range of both child-friendly and child-free facilities. While the immediate area is uninteresting, the south end of Karon's lovely beach is within easy walking distance, though it’s an uphill slog back. While rates are toward the higher range for hotels in the area, the Horizon Karon is a solid enough option.
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa is a fairly typical upper-mid-range holiday complex with an unusual twist in dividing the resort between family-focused and adult-only wings. There's still plenty for everyone, with three pools and a wide range of both child-friendly and child-free facilities. While the immediate area is uninteresting, the south end of Karon's lovely beach is within easy walking distance, though it’s an uphill slog back. While rates are toward the higher range for hotels in the area, the Horizon Karon is a solid enough option.
Beyond Resort Karon is an upscale, adult-only hotel claiming the distinction of being the only resort set right on Karon's beach. The location makes for some wonderful ocean views -- from the rooms, both pools, and its restaurant -- as well a relatively peaceful atmosphere. Guest units are spacious with furnished balconies, though there have been reports of issues with mosquitoes. Rates are certainly on the expensive end of the scale for this caliber of hotel, but you're paying for its unique setting and superb sea vistas.
Beyond Resort Karon is an upscale, adult-only hotel claiming the distinction of being the only resort set right on Karon's beach. The location makes for some wonderful ocean views -- from the rooms, both pools, and its restaurant -- as well a relatively peaceful atmosphere. Guest units are spacious with furnished balconies, though there have been reports of issues with mosquitoes. Rates are certainly on the expensive end of the scale for this caliber of hotel, but you're paying for its unique setting and superb sea vistas.
CC's Hideaway is an upscale boutique hotel with a hip and colorful vibe set on a peaceful hilltop overlooking the Phuket resorts of Kata and Karon. Being positioned far from the beach can feel isolating, but that gives the hotel a particularly secluded and tranquil ambiance -- perfect for its rooftop yoga or meditation classes. Some rooms benefit from superb sea and sunset views while -- unusual for the area -- its pool is open into the evening. All in all, the location won't appeal to everyone, but CC's is nonetheless an intimate retreat away from the crowds with relatively affordable rates.
CC's Hideaway is an upscale boutique hotel with a hip and colorful vibe set on a peaceful hilltop overlooking the Phuket resorts of Kata and Karon. Being positioned far from the beach can feel isolating, but that gives the hotel a particularly secluded and tranquil ambiance -- perfect for its rooftop yoga or meditation classes. Some rooms benefit from superb sea and sunset views while -- unusual for the area -- its pool is open into the evening. All in all, the location won't appeal to everyone, but CC's is nonetheless an intimate retreat away from the crowds with relatively affordable rates.
The Old Phuket is an upscale, 184-room complex set on sprawling grounds offering two different types of stays. The colonial-style Sino Wing has traditional decor while the Serene rooms have contemporary interiors. While neither is huge, a pool can be found in each of the two sections along with plenty of on-site food and drink options. The surroundings might feel a bit too touristy for some, but the beautiful sandy beach of Karon is just a minute’s walk away. While The Old Phuket isn’t the cheapest option in the area, some of its amenities, like private whirlpools, are worth the splurge.
The Old Phuket is an upscale, 184-room complex set on sprawling grounds offering two different types of stays. The colonial-style Sino Wing has traditional decor while the Serene rooms have contemporary interiors. While neither is huge, a pool can be found in each of the two sections along with plenty of on-site food and drink options. The surroundings might feel a bit too touristy for some, but the beautiful sandy beach of Karon is just a minute’s walk away. While The Old Phuket isn’t the cheapest option in the area, some of its amenities, like private whirlpools, are worth the splurge.
The name is telling at the mid-range Simplitel Hotel -- this property keeps things simple. Though it offers few features, the 60-room hotel is a good option for travelers seeking a clean, modern setting and a convenient location. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from the beach and about a 10-minute drive or taxi ride from Patong center. Guest rooms are airy and bright, with flat-screen TVs and private balconies overlooking the mountains or city. There is an on-site restaurant serving free breakfast, as well as Thai and European fare for lunch and dinner. As with the rest of the property, the fitness center is clean and bright, with a nice selection of machines. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, along with free parking in the hotel's underground garage.
The name is telling at the mid-range Simplitel Hotel -- this property keeps things simple. Though it offers few features, the 60-room hotel is a good option for travelers seeking a clean, modern setting and a convenient location. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from the beach and about a 10-minute drive or taxi ride from Patong center. Guest rooms are airy and bright, with flat-screen TVs and private balconies overlooking the mountains or city. There is an on-site restaurant serving free breakfast, as well as Thai and European fare for lunch and dinner. As with the rest of the property, the fitness center is clean and bright, with a nice selection of machines. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, along with free parking in the hotel's underground garage.
The 525-room Phuket Orchid Resort is a casual property near the beach with sprawling grounds and air-conditioned rooms. The upper-mid-range resort has three pools, including a kids' pool and an unusual Bayon Pool featuring a concrete replica of the Bayon Temple faces (from the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia). Other features include multiple restaurants, a kids' club, and a spa (Thai massage can be arranged poolside upon request). Past guests have complained of worn-looking common areas and musty smells in some rooms, but overall people are pretty satisfied with this Phuket classic.
The 525-room Phuket Orchid Resort is a casual property near the beach with sprawling grounds and air-conditioned rooms. The upper-mid-range resort has three pools, including a kids' pool and an unusual Bayon Pool featuring a concrete replica of the Bayon Temple faces (from the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia). Other features include multiple restaurants, a kids' club, and a spa (Thai massage can be arranged poolside upon request). Past guests have complained of worn-looking common areas and musty smells in some rooms, but overall people are pretty satisfied with this Phuket classic.
With a splashy art theme, the upper-middle-range Sugar Marina Resort - ART has plenty of boutique flair. It also provides a stellar location, just a two-minute walk from the sands of Karon Beach and surrounded by eateries, shops, and conveniences. Its 221 rooms offer fun, artsy details like Andy Warhol quotes and paintbrush "do not disturb" signs. Bathrobes, beach bags, and minibars add to their perks. (For many rates, minibar treats are free.) But some past guests complain rooms in the hotel's older wing suffer from maintenance issues. On-site features are all-around solid and include two pools with an Astroturf sundeck, a restaurant serving all meals, a mini fitness center, and a playground for the youngest guests. Travelers charmed by this property's look and amenities should consider other hotels in the chain, including those with surf and nautical themes.
With a splashy art theme, the upper-middle-range Sugar Marina Resort - ART has plenty of boutique flair. It also provides a stellar location, just a two-minute walk from the sands of Karon Beach and surrounded by eateries, shops, and conveniences. Its 221 rooms offer fun, artsy details like Andy Warhol quotes and paintbrush "do not disturb" signs. Bathrobes, beach bags, and minibars add to their perks. (For many rates, minibar treats are free.) But some past guests complain rooms in the hotel's older wing suffer from maintenance issues. On-site features are all-around solid and include two pools with an Astroturf sundeck, a restaurant serving all meals, a mini fitness center, and a playground for the youngest guests. Travelers charmed by this property's look and amenities should consider other hotels in the chain, including those with surf and nautical themes.
The 335-room Centara Karon Resort Phuket is a huge, self-contained resort located in Phuket's popular tourist area of Karon Beach. Unlike many resorts, the complex doesn't have direct beach access, but three large pools provide plenty of water-based activity. A choice of four zones means rooms can be suited to guests' needs, and there's certainly enough on-site facilities to keep everyone happy. Don't necessarily expect a peaceful vacation but, considering everything on offer, rates are reasonable.
The 335-room Centara Karon Resort Phuket is a huge, self-contained resort located in Phuket's popular tourist area of Karon Beach. Unlike many resorts, the complex doesn't have direct beach access, but three large pools provide plenty of water-based activity. A choice of four zones means rooms can be suited to guests' needs, and there's certainly enough on-site facilities to keep everyone happy. Don't necessarily expect a peaceful vacation but, considering everything on offer, rates are reasonable.
The four-pearl Centara offers 72 secluded villas tucked away in a hillside. Everything here is positioned to showcase stunning seaside views, from the restaurants with tables that seem to stretch out over the water to the two-tiered pool to the spa rooms that overlook the waves. Many of the villas also offer dazzling sea views from their private decks, but even those that don’t are located just a short walk from the shoreline. A private path connects the property to the sandy beach just beyond (the shore just in front of the property is rocky). But the trade off for these views is steep hillside terrain, and those that opt to walk -- versus taking the hotel’s free tuk tuk -- will face some steep slopes. Travelers in the market for a private villa experience could also consider The Residence Resort and Spa Retreat.
The four-pearl Centara offers 72 secluded villas tucked away in a hillside. Everything here is positioned to showcase stunning seaside views, from the restaurants with tables that seem to stretch out over the water to the two-tiered pool to the spa rooms that overlook the waves. Many of the villas also offer dazzling sea views from their private decks, but even those that don’t are located just a short walk from the shoreline. A private path connects the property to the sandy beach just beyond (the shore just in front of the property is rocky). But the trade off for these views is steep hillside terrain, and those that opt to walk -- versus taking the hotel’s free tuk tuk -- will face some steep slopes. Travelers in the market for a private villa experience could also consider The Residence Resort and Spa Retreat.
The 139-room, upscale Access Resort & Villas is a unique hotel near Phuket's Karon Beach, with direct pool access from most rooms, and room service often delivered by boat. The resort feels exclusive and private, if a little past its heyday, with spacious rooms and furnished patios opening onto a series of five free-form pools, surrounded by palm trees, tropical flowers, and lush green lawns. Rooms that don't open onto the pools have private plunge pools and patios for more privacy. There's also a small gym, family-friendly services like babysitting, a game room, terrace dining and three bars, and free parking. Karon Beach is a 15-minute walk away, and there are interesting sights and restaurants in the immediate area.
The 139-room, upscale Access Resort & Villas is a unique hotel near Phuket's Karon Beach, with direct pool access from most rooms, and room service often delivered by boat. The resort feels exclusive and private, if a little past its heyday, with spacious rooms and furnished patios opening onto a series of five free-form pools, surrounded by palm trees, tropical flowers, and lush green lawns. Rooms that don't open onto the pools have private plunge pools and patios for more privacy. There's also a small gym, family-friendly services like babysitting, a game room, terrace dining and three bars, and free parking. Karon Beach is a 15-minute walk away, and there are interesting sights and restaurants in the immediate area.