The 11 Best Hotels in Phuket, From Oceanside Villas to Wellness Retreats
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From coastal retreats to jungle hideouts, private beaches to personal butlers, muay Thai trainers to twin pools—Thailand's largest island and longest-standing holiday hotspot has hotel options aplenty, but picking the right one can be a daunting task. Phuket is blessed with more than thirty different bays and beaches, and while they all score top marks in terms of postcard prettiness, their vibes (and therefore, their hotel line-ups) vary widely.
Most of the vacation action happens around the bays on its western coast, from the laid-back Nai Harn and Rawai beaches in the coral-fringed deep south to the seemingly endless stretch of crowd-free sand of Mai Khao on the island's north. In between, there's buzzy nightlife around Patong, family fun around Kamala, and an inspired restaurant scene around the expat hub of Bang Tao. Cross the island's jungle-cloaked heart for a culture fix in Phuket Town, where smart cafes and next-gen cocktail bars breathe new life into the Sino-Portuguese warehouses lining its oldest streets. Nearby, the quiet and craggy coastline of Cape Panwa delivers eye-popping views over the island-dotted Phang Nga Bay.
We've narrowed down the hundreds of places to stay to a tight edit of our favorite Phuket hotels, in no particular order.
How we choose the best hotels in Phuket
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known properties that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials.
Courtesy COMO Point YamuhotelCOMO Point Yamu
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Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023There are only a few hotels of note on Phuket’s sunrise-facing east coast, with COMO Point Yamu being the brightest of the bunch—and in our opinion, one of the best hotels in all of Thailand. Set on the tip of Cape Yamu, this wellness-focused place balances out its straight-lined design with inherently Thai touches (gorgeous Buddhist artworks among them) and a pinch of Mediterranean flair courtesy of Italian designer Paola Navone. Rooms are sleek, done up in crisp whites and electric-blue hues, and have fabulous views over Phang Nga Bay. There is no direct beach access, but COMO's swish beach club, set on a semi-private islet some 20 minutes away, more than makes up for that—as does the stunning 330-foot pool.
Courtesy The SurinThe Surin
Sharing the same beach and architect—the late Ed Tuttle—as Amanpuri next door, this long-standing classic on Phuket's west coast has garnered a loyal following for its well-priced rooms and outstanding service. The dramatic Thai-inspired Lomtalay restaurant and sweeping granite staircases leading up to it have Tuttle's fingerprints all over it, as does the lounger-lined hexagonal swimming pool clad in chalkboard-black anthracite. Rooms, on the contrary, are bright and breezy affairs with palettes of white and grey warmed up with touches of gemstone-hued silk. All are open to ocean-facing lounge decks, and some come with private plunge pools. Another perk: cream-colored Pansea Beach is one of Phuket's prettiest and is hard to reach for non-hotel guests, leaving it blissfully empty of tourist crowds.
Miles & MileshotelAmanpuri
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Gold List 2024 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2021Despite its age, Amanpuri still tops the list as one of the best hotels in Thailand, as spectacular as it was when it opened on a coconut grove on Phuket’s west coast back in 1988. It was the first name in a collection that would go on to change the parameters of luxury travel and hotel design; coming here has become a rite of passage for Aman junkies far and wide. And for good reason: from the midnight-blue pool at the entrance to the dramatic staircase leading down to the semi-private beach, architect Ed Tuttle (a creative force for the group) made a timeless classic. Each of the 40 polished teakwood pavilions is a miniature Thai temple of indulgence, a world of crisp linen, fresh orchids, and spa-like bathrooms that take up almost half its floor space. All come with sala-covered sundecks, some with private pools. Its Holistic Wellness Centre, the first of its kind within the Aman group, veers way beyond the usual spa trappings and offers medical services that include IV nutrient infusions and cryotherapy.
Courtesy KeemalaKeemala
Look for Phuket inspiration on Instagram, and you’re guaranteed to come across Keemala, a highly photogenic hotel pitched in the Kamala rainforest on the island’s west coast. Its hillside retreats range from glamorous safari tents to two-story tree houses and come with private pools and adjoining sundecks (book the Bird’s Nest Pool Villas if you’re after extra space). The interiors meld safari chic with jungle dwellings—teakwood walls, stone-carved bathtubs, and fabrics in earthy tones. If you manage to leave your cocoon, the nearest beach is a 10-minute drive away, but Keemala’s expert Mala Spa and health-focused Mala Restaurant (opt for the southern Thai specialties) provide just as many opportunities to up the feel-good factor.
Courtesy TrisarahotelTrisara
$$ | Gold List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2022, 2023One of the best—and priciest—places to bed down in Phuket is Trisara, an ultra-luxe hotel set on its own cape on the northwest side of the island. Its 39 secluded villas are as pretty as they are spacious, designed in a modern Thai style and each kitted out with ocean-view terraces, an infinity pool, and butlers on call. Trisara’s remote location means it’s far away from any tourist sights, but there’s little reason to leave: There’s a gorgeous sunbed-lined pool for lounging and laps, as well as a powdery white beach only guests have access to. The Jara spa combines sensational ocean views with soothing Thai massage treatments, and there are three excellent restaurants for palm-shaded beachfront dining, including the Michelin-starred Pru and famous barbecues at Seafood by Trisara.
Courtesy Banyan Tree Hotels & ResortshotelBanyan Tree Phuket
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2023The adjoining stretch of Bang Tao beach might not be the most picturesque and the setting between apartment buildings not the most enticing—but none of that matters after you’ve checked in at one of Banyan Tree’s private pool villas. Somewhat confusingly, the villas—classic Thai affairs with pointed roofs and teakwood floors—are spread over three distinct areas: book the adult-only Spa Sanctuary villas for all-you-can-spa perks, or the DoublePool villas for twin pools and heaps of space. But even the entry-level villas at the main address offer plenty of comforts, with open-air bathtubs, walled gardens, and pools long enough for laps.
Courtesy Rosewood PhukethotelRosewood Phuket
$$$ | Gold List 2020 
Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022This hotel may be located within eyeshot of Patong Beach—the island's rowdy epicenter—but from the moment you turn up at its monogrammed entrance gates, it feels a world away. Sprawled over a lush hillside dotted with ancient banyan trees and indigenous foliage, the Rosewood Phuket's 71 elegant villas and suites feel more like island homes than hotel digs, thanks to their cozy living room spaces decorated with keepsakes, fresh flowers, and coffee table books. The Asaya spa is one of Rosewood’s best in the region, where serious spa junkies should book themselves into the Asaya Villa, a spacious day-use spa retreat with a private watsu pool and Himalayan salt sauna. The four restaurants, providing treats from Italian comfort food to poolside surf and turf, are roomy and relaxed, with Ta Khai (modeled after a Thai fishing village, dishing up authentic Thai plates from open kitchens) being the rightful signature spot. There’s also a seriously good kids’ club—wooden toys, educational activities, the works—making it a great stay for the whole family.
hotelSala Phuket
Homegrown hotels generally play second fiddle to the big-brand-name digs on Phuket, but Sala Phuket is a notable exception. Don’t let its location near the airport turn you off—noise from planes is minimal, and the wonderfully deserted Mai Khao beach on its doorstep is one of the island's prettiest. There are a handful of balcony suites, but the pool villas are the ones to book. Each is a white-washed sanctuary accentuated by shades of taupe, grey, and Portuguese-tiled, open-air bathrooms that reference the island’s trade history. The SALA Spa has a great reputation, as does the restaurant—order the fragrant beef-cheek curry with mushrooms and betel leaves.
Six SenseshotelSix Senses Koh Yao Noi
$$ | Gold List 2022 Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2023Technically not on Phuket, but a 45-minute speedboat trip away on go-slow Koh Yao Noi, Six Senses Yao Noi delivers big on the ultimate bamboo-hut-in-the-jungle fantasy. The 56 villas, hidden on the jungled slopes and bays of the island's sunrise-facing east coast, are thatched-roof tropical hideouts with bed posts from sun-bleached driftwood and expansive indoor-outdoor lounges from reclaimed teak. The vibe is Jungle Book-chic, but that doesn't mean you'll be roughing it: even the entry-level villas come with private pools, and the all-natural spa is fitted with all the bells and whistles (think: juice bar, smart tech wellness screenings, and a blend-your-own-massage oil alchemy lab). There's also an all-day ice cream counter doling out scoops of jackfruit, basil-lime, and mango sweets. And this being Six Senses, a brand with sustainability embedded into its DNA, everything is as green as it gets—the staff will be happy to show you around the resort's organic farm and recycling center.
Courtesy The Nai Harn PhukethotelThe Nai Harn Phuket
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023Located on one of Phuket's best beaches, The Nai Harn Phuket has everything you could possibly want from a five-star Thai resort. Built almost like a Greek hotel—with white exteriors and climbing pink bougainvillea—the property's guest rooms are plush and luxurious, and most of them offer panoramic views over the bay from a private terrace. The oversized king-size beds are impossibly comfortable, but you'll definitely want to rise early to take advantage of the resort's menu of activities. There's the aforementioned Nai Harn beach, for starters, where you could spend the better part of a day snorkeling or lounging on the white sand. Then there's the lovely swimming pool, daily yoga classes, and six-room spa to fill the rest of your hours—the ones not devoted to eating, that is. Those belong to the on-site restaurants and bars, where you can find everything from fresh ceviche to Mediterranean cuisine served right by the waters of the Andaman Sea.
Courtesy V Villas PhuketV Villas Phuket
With just 19 villas cantilevered on the hills above Ao Yon Bay on Phuket's southeastern tip, this straight-lined and high-ceilinged retreat is a bijou hideaway that's big on service and views. Each of its sun-flooded villas, some with multiple bedrooms, is hugged by a private infinity pool long enough for laps and appointed with a butler on call for boating excursions, spa reservations, and floating breakfasts (if that's your jam). The main restaurant, YON Beach House, serves a Thai-European medley of tuna tartare, tiger prawn-topped noodles, and squid ink risotto. And even if you're not sleeping over, the lounge-y, daybed-dotted rooftop bar is worth a stop for the spectacular sunsets alone.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
