We are looking for beauty and a little excitement...which beach is the best to stay in? I have heard that the most popular are Patong, Karon and Kata. We would like the most beautiful, some attractions to see or do and nice places to eat or hang out at night, but nothing too crazy...

I have stayed at three beaches in Phuket: Mai Khao, Patong, and Bang Tao.
1. Mai Khao JW Marriott - very isolated, but provides free transpo hourly to Patong or Phuket Town, this runs up to midnight. This personally is one of the best resorts I have ever stayed in. The beach is long, and the sand is just right, not too white, though. If you want isolation, this is it.

2. Patong - this is the beach to stay in if you want to be where the action is. They have just a few chain resorts (Novotel), but lots and lots of restaurants, bars, etc. Theres this very famous restaurant called Baan Rim Pa. Beach wise, the sand is better than Mai Khao, but more polluted with vendors, people

3. Bang Tao/Laguna - this area has a lot of the good hotels/resorts (Dusit,Sheraton Grande Laguna, Banyan Tree) I went parasailing and jetskiing here. The beachfront restaurants here were quite yummy too.

I've stayed on Kata and Kata Noi on 4 different trips to Phuket. I really like this area. There is enough activity to keep you busy without having to put up with the touts on the street (Patong!!!). You can easily go over to Patong from Kata or Kata Noi, and do your shopping (although Kata has enough for me) and go parasailing (THAT WAS NEAT). You've got two fantastic restaurants right there (Mom Tri's Boathouse Grill and Mom Tri's Kitchen) with superb food and fantastic wine list.

I'd elect to stay away from Patong!!

Carol

Kata would probably suit your criteria, but location depends on what time of year and your budget, rates go up from November 1st so what you can get for your bucks in october is a lot different to November as an example.
Kata you will find enough restaurants and bars ( The 'Beach Club' ) is behind the Club med, not on the beach, but lievly bar at night with a great lit pool, nice vacation/holiday atmosphere. You can take a tuk tuk to Patong if you wish. Karon is another option, do not most hotels will not be 'on' the beach and at Karon except for Karon beach resort and a small area near Marina you will be across the road from the beach, Central Kata resort ( previously Jiva ) is a nice middle of the range place but you walk around Club med to get to the beach.
You can stay at places at the north or south end of Patong if you want quieter but close to the 'action'. Surin and bantao are nice but quiet, likewise Nai Harn.

I live on Phuket - and tend to think that Kata Beach is the best of them all. There are however, at least nine major beaches on the island - all with different attactions.

Take a look at "Phuket's Best Beaches" at:

http://phuketdelight.com/Best%20Beaches.htm

The page will give you a good overview of my favorite beaches.

An overview of ALL the beaches is at:

http://phuketdelight.com/Phuket_Beaches.htm

Enjoy!

Le Meridien has its own small private beach. very nice for swimming and lounging around. 5 minutes by taxi to Patong.