The Amari Phuket is an upscale resort in a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of Patong, but close enough to offer plenty of activity for those who want it. The 197-room property offers direct access to a small private beach as well as two beautiful pools with ocean views, each set beside a restaurant. Guest rooms are clean and airy and have balconies with ocean views, large walk-in showers, and simple, modern decor. The hillside spa has an outdoor hot tub and an open-air gazebo treatment room, while a colorful kids' club makes this a practical choice for families seeking a quiet, coastal getaway. Wi-Fi is included, as is a daily buffet breakfast.
With 398 rooms spread over two wings, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket is a four-pearl property home to gorgeous pools, a relaxing spa, and colorful kids' club. Rooms here are clean, spacious, and stylish, with chic bathrooms and amenities including bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. The hotel is across the street from the beach and in a busy area with plenty of bars and shops nearby. There are four on-site restaurants and a bar, with Charm Thai Restaurant receiving stellar reviews. Overall, this chain hotel has more panache than usual and rates are low.
Thavorn Beach Village & Spa is an old-school, four-pearl hotel built on one of Phuket's only private beaches. The location is a short drive from party-central Patong Beach, but the vibe at the Village is laid-back and focused on nature and families. The freeform swimming pool is a large draw, as are comfortable rooms and cottages with direct access to the beach. Staff schedules cultural activities and there are two full restaurants on-site, along with a pool bar and Nakalay Spa. Hillside rooms are reached using a vernacular, which can be fun for little ones but a bit inconvenient for those in a hurry. Overall, prices are low for a classic Thai hotel with traditional trimmings. Those looking for a hip ambiance (and rooftop bar) should try Sri Pawna Phuket.
The 414-room Phukett Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is a sprawling family-friendly resort located beachside on the outskirts of Patong. Rooms have private balconies with seating areas and while they vary a tad in terms of decor, all have air-conditioning and big bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Resort features include multiple swimming pools (including a baby pool and a shallow kids' pool with a slide) plus tennis courts, a fitness center, spa, and a number of bars and restaurants. The location might be a bit remote for some visitors, as it's a 10-minute drive into Patong and there's not much within walking distance. If a central location is a priority, the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket is a similarly sized hotel, but it's right in the heart of Patong.
The Baan Laimai Beach Resort is a mid-range property in the tourist center of downtown Patong, near a slew of bars, shops, and nightlife venues. Guest rooms are spacious and clean, with simple wood decor and homey accents; some offer direct access to the pool or a grassy terrace. The sprawling 172-room property is a quick walk from the beach across the street, and has a massive pool with a swim-up bar, a restaurant, and live music that tends to continue until late at night. A colorful kids' club and kiddy pool area are available, but the property's noisy, seedy surroundings may deter some families from staying here.
The 71-room Impiana Resort Patong Phuket is a boutique resort in the lively town of Patong, and one of the few set right on the beach, putting it in an ideal location for travelers who crave both lazy beach days and exciting nightlife. With the sea on one side, and busy Bangla Road -- Patong's nightlife-packed central district -- on the other, the Impiana retains its quiet and secure beach retreat vibe. Rooms are cabana- or bungalow-style, all on one level, with private patios. Should the beach scene be too much, the hotel also has a palm-fringed pool; the hotel also has three restaurants and a beach bar. Families with kids may find the Impiana lacking in on-site activity options, though.
The 67-room, luxury La Flora Resort Patong is a hip boutique hotel located between the beach on one side, and Patong’s busy shops, street food, and nightlife on the other. One of Patong’s more expensive properties, La Flora provides the little extras, such as free in-room minibars (beer included) and GoFlex media players stocked with movies. The decor is modern, elegant, and Thai-inflected. Spacious rooms have spectacular bathrooms. La Flora’s two pools are designed for lap swimming, with no kids' sections or play areas.
The 333-room luxury Diamond Cliff Resort and Spa is a peaceful family-friendly resort conveniently located near the gorgeous Phuket beaches. Diamond Cliff is a quiet sanctuary; its three swimming pools set it apart from other area resorts. The atmosphere is traditional Thai, simple but lush, with plenty of local character. The resort has been around for 26 years and shows some wear, but rooms are clean and lovely, with pretty Thai fabrics, gold leaf, and lots of ornate wood. Watch out for extra fees for everything from Wi-Fi to use of the tennis court.
The 116-room Senses Resort is a hillside four-pearl hotel that offers panoramic Patong views from its rooftop pool, swim-up bar, and casual restaurant. Rooms also offer great city and sea views from balconies or terraces that have direct pool access. Suites include living rooms and dining tables. There's also, a modern fitness center and spa, airport transfers, and a tour desk. While the hillside location might make it difficult to walk around, the the steep climb brings great views.
The 245-room, three-and-a-half pearl Patong Beach Hotel is located in central Patong, on popular Patong Beach, in an ideal spot to sample the fabled nightlife of Bangla Road. The hotel is busy and fun, and the rooms are super bright and colorful, with private balconies and luxe four-poster beds. This hotel combines city location and a true Thai -- and young -- vibe. Guests who don’t like noise or late night comings and goings -- who prefer a more sedate environment -- may want to book elsewhere.
The upper-middle-range Seaview Patong Hotel is not directly on the beachfront, but it does have the sea views its name suggests, and it's less than a minute's walk from Patong’s sand. Situated at a quieter end of the beach, the hotel is a bit removed from the resort town, but it is within a 15-minute walk of the restaurants and the area's well-known nightlife. The 141 rooms feel cramped and lack character, while bathrooms in particular are small and worn, especially in the lower room categories. The overall decor feels heavy and dated, with dark wood leaching out any brightness. The buffet breakfast is good, but other food available on-site gets mixed reviews. A better option could be the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, which has stylish, up-to-date rooms.
The four-pearl Kee Resort and Spa is a trendy party haven in the heart of Patong -- near the beach and Bangla Road -- with a lagoon-style pool, a swim-up bar, rooftop dining, cocktails, a spa, fitness center, and a youthful vibe and clientele. Hip, sleek, decor with splashes of color rules the rooms that come with flat-screen TVs, balconies, and poolside terraces. Some might find the party atmosphere -- especially the wild nights -- too noisy and too much.
The Horizon Patong Beach Resort & Spa is a 160-room, upper-middle-range property with a direct walkway to the beach and a family-friendly atmosphere. Guest rooms are spacious, with minibars and views of gardens, or one of the property's two pools -- one of which is for families with kids. The spa has a mosaic-tiled steam room, and the gym is large and filled with light. There are also separate Indian and Italian restaurants, a free buffet breakfast, and a sports bar with games. Some of the furnishings -- including tube-style TVs -- are dated, though, and Wi-Fi is not free in all rooms. And while the resort is smoke-free, some guests have complained that the staff doesn't always enforce that rule. Another option is the Sunset Beach Resort, which is across the street from the beach and has family-friendly rooms and features.
The Bliss is a 70-room, upper-middle-range property with a sleek aesthetic and ideal location across the street from Patong Beach. The beautiful free-form swimming pool is great for sunbathing and cocktails, and the restaurant has a terrace with stunning sea views. Many rooms and suites overlook the water, and all are polished and modern with balconies. With the beach so close, the hotel doesn't offer much else in the way of features; guests might also want to consider the Horizon Patong Beach Resort & Spa, which has modern rooms and a beautiful spa, though is farther from the beach.
The 600-room upper-middle-range Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa, the biggest resort in Patong, sits across the road from popular Patong Beach. Relaxed, busy, and spacious, this family-friendly property is self-contained, with a variety of pools and interesting restaurants; guests may not feel the need to leave the grounds during their holiday. There are a variety of room sizes and views, including rooms with direct pool access. All are clean and comfortable, with private balconies.