Table of Contents
In this article we will share the best and worst areas to stay in Phuket in 2026. It would be seriously sad to travel all the way to Phuket and not pick one of the better areas to stay. Phuket is a beautiful island with beaches, jungle, waterfalls, viewpoints, nightlife and great food. BUT some areas are not nice. Some areas of Phuket are run down, polluted or just don’t have a lot going on. Picking the right area to stay in Phuket can be the difference between an amazing and an awful holiday.
It would be tragic to travel all the way to Phuket and not pick THE BEST area to stay. We have lived in Phuket 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.
For each of the areas that we recommend we will also suggest a few TOP PICK hotels.
Don’t miss our epic one week Phuket itinerary – the ultimate STEP by STEP guide to Phuket
A little disclaimer: Before we go on, it is worth saying that the best and worst places to stay in Phuket depends on your preferences. We have tried to be as objective and helpful as possible in this guide.
Map – BEST areas to stay in Phuket
THE BEST areas to stay in Phuket summary
| Best area to stay in Phuket | Summary | Best hotels in the area |
| Kata bay | Small town, lovely beach, good selection of restaurants, hotels & resorts. Lots to do in the area. Great for families. | Don’t miss the Beach house boutique hotel, or the luxurious OZO Phuket |
| Nai Harn bay | Nice vibes, chilled hippy area. Lovely beach with trees for shade, | Don’t miss the wonderful Roost Glamping |
| Patong bay | Most developed town in the west. Malls, shops and restaurants. Great nightlife and markets. Very touristy. | The Amari and the Impiana are great luxurious options. For something cheaper check out My Style Resort hotel |
| Mai Khao bay | Long beautiful beach in northwest Phuket near airport. Big expensive resorts located here. | The best hotels in Mai Khao are the JW Marriott Resort and the Antara Vacation club is AMAZING for families. |
| Bang Tao bay | The main expensive resort hub in Phuket. Not much local food and culture. Long and beautiful west facing beach. | The Angsana Laguna Phuket is one of the best luxurious resorts in Phuket. |
| Phuket town | Great option if you’re more interested in culture than beaches. Lots of shops and great food. The old quarter is beautiful. | One of the best hotels around is the Courtyard by Marriott. Also check out the impressive Snoozy apartment. |
| Panwa Cape | Quiet and pretty cape on the east side of Phuket. Small, clean, calm beaches. | If you’re looking for something decadent check out the Sri Panwa Pool Villa hotel. On the lower budget end check out the Bandara Phuket Beach Resort. |
| Kamala bay | Kamala bay. Small quiet town on west coast. Nice beach – but polluted in places. Some nice hotels and resorts. Closed to Patong for shops, bars and restaurants. | For a unique luxurious jungle stay check out the amazing Keemala Resort. On a lower budget check out the Sabina guest house. |
Areas of Phuket – getting to grips
Here is a rough guide to help you understand the geography of Phuket. The West coast of Phuket is focussed on tourism with more hotels, resorts bars and tourist food. The west coast is less populated. Some areas are quite quiet and geographically disconnected from the rest of the island. The waters on the west coast can be more wild with large waves and strong currents. Take care. The East side of Phuket is more populated. There are more local communities and local food on the east side of Phuket. There are less beaches on the east coast. The water is calmer and can be nicer for swimming but some areas of the east are polluted.
Don’t miss our full guide on getting around in Phuket
The best areas to stay in Phuket
1 Kata bay
Kata bay is one of the best areas to stay in Phuket. This quickly became our favorite location. Kata feels like the ideal size. Not too big or too small. It has nice relaxed vibes and some lovely restaurants. Kata has a very beautiful section of beach and there are also some hidden gems nearby. You can get Thai food and western food in Kata.
Kata beach is one of our favorite beaches in Phuket. It is relatively clean and enjoys lovely sunsets. In the rainy season it is a top spot for surfing. There are several small surf schools along the beach. You can also rent sea kayaks and snorkels and masks along Kata beach. There is sometimes parasailing too. 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 near Kata (Black Rock and the Big Buddha). The only frustrating thing about Kata is the awkward town layout. There is a long section of road through town with no roads that connect to the beach.
If you are planning to stay in Kata there are lots of great hotels for different budget ranges. Don’t miss the stylish OZO Phuket – located right by the beach in Kata.
- Check out OZO on booking.com and OZO on Agoda to see the latest deals and discounts
Also The Beach Boutique House Hotel is really nice and a little cheaper than OZO. You may also be interested in the beautiful Katathani Beach Resort.
- Find the Beach Boutique on booking.com and the Beach Boutique on Agoda to get the latest prices
2 Nai Harn Bay
Nai Harn bay is another great area to stay in Phuket. Nai Harn is not too far from Kata and has similar advantages. It is a nice size and has a lovely beach. We love the chilled vibe of this area. It is not too developed – but it does have a good range of shops and restaurants. You can find cheap Thai food and western food around Nai Harn. There is a small community of expats and families in this area too – great for meeting people.
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. You can find some convenience stores in the area so you will feel well set up here. The main disadvantage of Nai Harn is the distance from the airport. It is also a long way from Phuket town too.
There is a great range of hotels in Nai Harn and the neighboring Rawai area. Don’t miss the amazing Roost Glamping for a unique and beautiful experience.
- You can book Roost Glamping on booking.com and Roost Glamping on Agoda
If you’re looking for something upmarket check out the Nai Harn. This luxurious resort enjoys a dramatic location right by the ocean on the hill next to Nai Harn beach.
- Watch out for deals and discounts at The Nai Harn on Booking.com and also The Nai Harn on Agoda
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.
- Check out Rawai VIP on Booking.com and Rawai VIP on Agoda
3 Patong Bay
Patong Bay is one of the main tourist hubs in Phuket. This area is well known for its clubs, bars, markets and nightlife. Patong is very well connected with other areas of Phuket. It is relatively close to many attractions in the south of Phuket and also Phuket town.
Patong has a shopping mall, plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and convenience stores. Patong Beach is a long and beautiful beach. It is also not too far from freedom beach – a secluded lovely west facing beach. 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. This is a great place to meet people.
Patong also has an excellent range of hotels and resorts for families. Don’t miss the Amari Phuket – luxurious and stylish resort offers a wide range of accommodation.
- You can find the Amari Phuket on Booking.com and the Amari Phuket on Agoda
Also check out the beautiful Impiana Resort beautifully situated by the beach and offers a luxurious villa with a private swimming pool. Slightly cheaper than the Amari.
- Check out the Impiana on Booking.com and the Impiana on Agoda
If you’re on a budget also check out My Style Resort hotel – you’ll be amazed how far your money goes here.
- Check the prices on My Style Resort on Booking.com or My Style Resort on Agoda
4 Mai Khao bay
Mai Khao Bay is located on the north west coast of Phuket near the airport. The main attraction of Mai Khao is the large luxurious resorts in the area. There is also a waterpark (Splash Jungle Waterpark) and the famous airport beach – planes fly low over the beach here. This is a good place to stay if you are looking for a resort holiday in Phuket.
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 hotels in Mai Khao is the JW Marriott Resort and Spa.
- You can find the JW Marriott Resort and Spa on Booking.com AND also the JW Marriott Resort and Spa on Agoda.
ALSO don’t miss the AMAZING Antara Vacation club. This resort is wonderful for families (pictured above)
- Watch out for deals at the Antara on Agoda and the Antara on booking.com
If you’re staying in this area consider a car rental
5 Bang Tao bay
Bang Tao is a resort town located on the west coast of Phuket. The area is almost exclusively comprised of large grand resorts. This almost gives it a surreal and slightly impersonal feel. Bang Tao is a great option if you’re looking to stay at a large luxurious resort. Bang Tao has a long west facing beach. Not far from Bangtao is the beautiful Banana Beach – a secluded national park beach and one of our favourite beaches in Phuket.
Bang Tao is not a good place to immerse yourself in authentic culture and street food. Thus area is close to the epic Blue Tree waterpark and the Adventure Village 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 are looking for a good place to stay in Bang Tao check out the impressive Angsana Laguna Phuket. This spacious decadent resort really is superlative in so many ways.
- You can find the Angsana Laguna on Booking.com and the Angsana Laguna on Agoda
6 Phuket town
If you are more interested in culture, food and heritage than beaches, consider finding a hotel in Phuket town. This area has lots of character, charm and things to do. In Phuket town you will find many temples, shops, markets, convenience stores and restaurants. Don’t miss the beautiful Khao Rang Hill – great for sunsets. Also we highly recommend staying near the charming old town. In Phuket town you can also go to the Phuket Central Floresta Mall for shopping and food.
The main disadvantage of Phuket town is the distance from beaches. It is likely to take 20-30 minutes to get to any nice beach by road from Phuket town. If you have time and you’re happy to move around, consider a few nights in Phuket town and then head over to one of the beach areas.
Here are a few great hotels in Phuket town: Check out the super stylish Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town – spacious modern suites, amazing food and a rooftop swimming pool.
- Reserve a room at the Courtyard on Booking.com or the Courtyard on Agoda
Also check out the impressive Snoozy apartment. Great facilities and lots of space for a family. Book early to avoid disappointment.
- You can reserve the Snoozy on Booking.com and the Snoozy on Agoda
7 Panwa Cap
The Panwa Cape is a beautiful area on the east coast of Phuket, not too far from Phuket town. There is a waterfall, beautiful beach and an aquarium in the area. Ao Yon beach (at the tip of the Panwa Cape) is one of our favourite beaches in Phuket. We found the beach to be quiet and tranquil with clear calm waters for swimming. There are a few resorts, restaurants and shops in the area – BUT this is a quiet spot. If you’re looking more more shops and more of a buzz, then consider the west coast of Phuket.
Overall this is a lovely area to stay in Phuket. Most of the hotels and resorts in this area are on the expensive side. If you are looking for something at the cheaper end consider the beautiful Bandara Phuket Beach Resort.
- Book the Bandara on Booking.com and book the Bandara on Agoda
If you’re looking for something decadent then have a look at the Sri Panwa Pool Villa hotel.
- Watch out for deals at Sri Panwa on Booking.com and also Sri Panwa on Agoda
8 Kamala Bay
Kamala Bay is a lovely west facing bay with a nice beach. This is not our top pick area – but it is pretty nice. Kamala has a few pros and cons. Firstly for the pros. Kamala has a good range of hotels to choose from. There is something for every budget range. It is west facing for nice sunsets. It is also pretty close to Patong – so you can enjoy the benefits of Patong but stay somewhere more quiet and chilled.
But there are a few disadvantages too. Kamala beach is polluted in sections. The town itself doesn’t have a lot going on. There are some restaurants, a couple of supermarkets and convenience stores around. Kamala is also quite far from other areas of Phuket – it is quite geographically disconnected from Phuket town and also from some of the attractions in the south of Phuket.
On balance, we would still recommend Kamala as a good area to stay – on the condition that you can find a hotel or resort that meets your needs. For a unique luxurious jungle stay check out the amazing Keemala Resort. Sheer luxury in the jungle canopy.
- Watch out for deals at the Keemala on Booking.com and deals at the Keemala on Agoda.
On a lower budget check out the Sabina guest house. This is a nice, simple and clean guest house not too far from the ocean.
You can book Sabina on Booking.com and also Sabina on Agoda.
THE WORST areas to stay in Phuket
Even some of the worst places to stay in Phuket are still really nice AND of course this is all subjective. After all, this is still a beautiful island in Thailand. If you find somewhere amazing to stay in one of these areas please do let us put you off.
1 Chalong
Chalong is an area located to the south of Phuket town. It is not a bad area in itself. Chalong is home to the main temple in Phuket. It is also a good location for visiting the Big Buddha. Chalong has plenty of shops, street food and a good local buzz. BUT, there aren’t any good beaches nearby and it doesn’t have the same charm as Phuket town. Chalong does have a nice hotel with a pool access rooms 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. 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 – but if your weighing it up, we would recommend Kata bay or Patong.
3 Rawai
Ok, Rawai is quite mixed. It’s not all bad. The area of the beach near the fish market is very polluted and not nice. There are some nice sections of Rawai beach. But if you like south Phuket, we recommend Nai Harn. Rawai does have a few nice seafront restaurants and cafes and you can get boat trips from here. So it’s not all bad.
4 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 from the attractions in the south of Phuket. Thalang is a long way from the closest beaches. There are a couple of waterfalls in the area but that’s about it.
5 Kathu area
Kathu is an awesome place to visit but not the best area to stay. Kathu has some beautiful waterfalls, a wake park and an elephant sanctuary. We actually like Kathu a lot. BUT it is not close to any beaches. SO we would probably not recommend staying in Kathu. Rather just visit for some of the fun activities.
