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In this article we will share the best and worst areas to stay in Phuket with a toddler in 2026. If you are planning a trip to Phuket with a toddler it is very important to choose the right place. Choosing a good place can be the difference between an amazing holiday and a family disaster.
We have lived in Phuket with toddlers and traveled around many different areas. We are super excited to share advice and experience with you. In this article we will review the BEST areas to stay in Phuket and recommend a few places to avoid if you are traveling with a toddler.
You may also be interested in our TOP PICK hotels in Phuket for a toddler
For each BEST areas to stay in Phuket with a toddler we ALSO suggest a few awesome toddler friendly hotels. Also don’t miss our full guide on Thailand with a toddler
Map of the best areas to stay in Phuket with a toddler
THE BEST areas to stay in Phuket with a toddler
1 Kata bay – relaxed, beautiful, convenient and well connected
Kata bay is one of our favourite areas of Phuket – and for good reason. We actually lived in Kata with toddlers and loved it so much we returned. There’s a play park, lots of shops, restaurants and a few convenience stores. Kata is pretty small and also has some wonderful hidden gems. You can get Thai food and western food in Kata. If you want to eat out you wont be too far from something tasty.
Kata beach is one of our favorite beaches in Phuket. It is relatively clean. In the rainy season it is a top spot for surfing. In the dry season the water is often clear, calm and beautiful. Kata bay is not too far from Phuket town. There is also some lovely trekking in the area (Black Rock and the Big Buddha). The main problem with Kata is the town layout. There is a long section of road through town with no roads that connect to the beach. This can make it hard walking back to your hotel with wet sandy little ones. Overall Kata is one of the best places to stay in Phuket with a toddler.
If you are planning to stay in Kata there are lots of great toddler friendly hotels for different budget ranges. Don’t miss the stylish OZO Phuket – located right by the beach in Kata. Book the OZO hotel on Agoda or Book the OZO hotel on booking.com.
Also The Beach Boutique House works well for toddlers too with nice place spaces and comfy toddler friendly rooms. They also have a nice onsite restaurant with toddler friendly food. The only downside is that this hotel is around a 10-15 minute walk from the beach. Watch out for amazing deals at the Beach Boutique on Agoda and also check for discounts at the Beach Boutique on booking.com.
2 Nai Harn Bay – beautiful beach, nice hippy vibes, lots to do nearby
Another great area to stay in Phuket with a toddler is Nai Harn. We love the vibe of this area. It is not too developed – but it does have a good range of shops and restaurants. Nai Harn is located on the south tip of Phuket. Nai Harn is an expat hub with lots of families living in the area. So if you’re hoping to meet other families traveling – this is a great spot. The Nai Harn area has nice chilled out vibes with lots of yoga and vegan places. There is even a glamping resort in the area.
Nai Harn beach is also very nice too. It is a medium size beach and relatively clean. There are also trees for shade on Nai Harn beach. Be aware that the waves and water currents can be quite intense here. There is also a park with a playpark in Nai Harn – pretty close to the beach. You can find some convenience stores in the area so you will feel well set up here.
There is a great range of hotels in Nai Harn and the neighboring Rawai area. If you’re looking for somewhere super family-friendly don’t miss the Rawai VIP villas, Kid’s park and Spa. They have a kids play park and waterpark on site. Loads of kid friendly activities and food. Rawai VIP are on Agoda and Rawai VIP are on Booking.com.
Also check out Roost Glamping for a unique and beautiful experience. If you’re looking for something upmarket check out the Nai Harn On the Rock Resort. This luxurious resort enjoys a dramatic location right by the ocean on the hill next to Nai Harn beach. Check prices for Roost Glamping on Agoda and you can also find Roost Glamping on booking.com.
3 Patong Bay – touristy, well developed with shops & restaurants, well connected
Patong Bay is one of the main hubs in Phuket. Patong is well known for its clubs, bars, markets and nightlife. Some people may want to get away from this type of scene. BUT to be honest, if you’re travelling with a tot – it is actually nice to have lots of shops and restaurants around. So Patong is actually a great option for a family with a toddler. Patong is also not too far from Phuket town making it a convenient area to stay.
In Patong there is a mall, plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and convenience stores. Patong Beach is a long and beautiful beach with restaurants along the way. There are also some beach swings too. Patong may be too touristy for some. If you would like to stay in an area with plenty of people on good vibes then Patong may be the best option for you.
Patong also has an excellent range of hotels and resorts for families. Don’t miss the the beautiful Ipiana Resort beautifully situated by the beach. Amazing toddler friendly family suites, excellent food and an ocean facing infinity pool. What more could you want in life?! You can find the Impiana on Agoda. Also watch out for DEALS at the Impiana on booking.com.
4 Mai Khao bay – beautiful expensive resorts
Mai Khao Bay is located on the north west coast of Phuket near the airport. Mai Khao and Bang Tao are the best areas in Phuket for luxurious resort stays. Both areas have a range of large luxurious and well established resorts. Resorts are equipped with facilities for toddlers such as play rooms, outdoor swimming pools, playgrounds, kids clubs and babysitting services.
It is worth being aware that this area is a long way from Phuket town and the attractions in the south of Phuket. You will not find as much cheap tasty local street food in Mai Khao. If you are hoping to immerse yourself in Thai culture we recommend looking at some of the areas in the south of Phuket.
There are loads of great family friendly resorts to choose from in Mai Khao. The best toddler friendly hotels in Mai Khai are the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Antara Vacation Club. You can book the JW Marriott on Agoda and the JW Marriot are on booking.com. The Antara may well be one of the best toddler friendly hotels around. They have some seriously impressive facilities for toddlers and both resorts offer engaging kids clubs and activities. Find the Antara Vacation Club on booking.com. AND you can also find the Antara vacation Club on booking.com.
5 Bang Tao bay – lots of expensive resorts, some nice things to do nearby
Bang Tao is similar to Mai Khao. It is a great option if you’re looking to stay on a large luxurious resort. This is not a great area to immerse yourself in authentic culture and street food. Bang Tao is close to the epic Blue Tree waterpark and the Adventure Village Phuket (the best soft play centre in Phuket). Bang Tao is still quite far north so be aware that it is a long drive to the wonderful beaches and attractions in the south of Phuket.
If you’re planning to stay in Bang Tao bay with a toddler, check out the Angsana Laguna Resort. This is one of the most prestegious resorts in Phuket and it is seriously impressive. The space, facilities and amenities make this a wonderful option for a family with toddlers. Check latest prices for the Angsana on Agoda. AND also watch out for discounts at the Angsana on booking.com.
6 Phuket town – beautiful town with markets, shops, restaurants and old quarter
One of the best areas to stay in Phuket with a toddler is Phuket town itself. This is the main town in Phuket. It has lots of character, charm and things to do. Phuket town is a great place to stay for families. There are plenty of temples, shops, markets, convenience stores and restaurants. You can also find some great attractions in Phuket Town such as Khao Rang Hill, monkey hill and the old town. There are also some play parks around too (the play park at K-Park Is particularly good for toddlers). In Phuket town you can also go to the Phuket Central Floresta Mall for shopping, food and indoor soft play.
The main disadvantage of Phuket town is the distance from beaches. If you are visiting Phuket to be close to the ocean then we do not recommend staying in Phuket town. You can however drive to a good range of beaches from Phuket town. If you are staying in Phuket town check out the beautiful Ao Yon beach.
Here are a few wonderful toddler friendly hotels in Phuket town: Check out the super stylish Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town – spacious modern suites, amazing food and a roof top swimming pool. Watch out for GREAT DEALS at the Courtyard on Agoda. You can also find the Courtyard on booking.com.
Also check out the impressive Snoozy apartment. Great facilities and lots of space for a family. BOOK this one early. Seriously this is a great place but you need to snatch it up early to avoid disappointment. Check out the Snoozy apartment on Agoda and the Snoozy apartment on booking.com.
THE WORST places to stay in Phuket with a toddler
Now we have shared the best areas to stay on Phuket with a toddler let’s look at some places to avoid. for the worst places to stay in Phuket with a toddler. Before we go on. – we love Phuket. Even some of the worst places to stay in Phuket are still really nice. After all, this is still a beautiful island in Thailand. However, we do not recommend staying in the following areas with a toddler. If you find somewhere amazing to stay in one of these areas please do let us put you off.
1 Chalong
Chalong is not a bad area in itself. Chalong is home to the main temple in Phuket. It is also a great location for visiting the Big Buddha. Chalong has plenty of shops, street food and a good local buzz. But there just isn’t a lot here for families. It is not close to any nice beaches. There is a long main road running through Chalong but it’s not exactly a nice location for toddlers to play.
Chalong does have a nice hotel with a pool access room which is surprisingly affordable.
2 Karon bay
Karon bay is not too bad. It is just a little run down in parts. As a long spacious area it can take a while to walk around. It doesn’t feel like there is much of a hub or centre here. We found it a little harder to get to good food and convenience stores in Karon bay. If you find a nice hotel here – then don’t be put off. It is still a lovely area in its own right. There is a kids play park on the north end of Karon bay.
3 Thalang district
Thalang is located in central Phuket towards the north. There is nothing wrong with this area. It just doesn’t have much to offer in terms of activities. Thalang is a long way for the attractions located in the south of Phuket. It is a long way from the closest beaches. There are a couple of waterfalls in the area but that’s about it. So unless you have a good reason to stay in Thalang, we recommend looking in other areas.
