29 Best Hotels in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Unlike the other resorts in the area, this property sits on the lagoon instead of the beach, and therefore offers lower rates; you definitely get more bang for your buck here. Suites come in various configurations (one or two bedrooms), but all have kitchenettes. Shuttle boats between the resort and the beach run every 30 minutes from 8 to 5. The scenic trip across the lagoon takes approximately 10 minutes.

Whitewashed walls and red ceramic-tile floors give a Moroccan feel to this design hotel. The top-floor club rooms and honeymoon suite have blue wooden doors facing a two-story atrium hallway. Inside, wood-frame beds and small tables and chairs are nice, but the real treat lies up a flight of stairs that leads to a private sunbathing deck with a large, round wooden tub. The honeymoon suite has mosaic-style tile floors, bead curtains, and an atmosphere worth the extra baht. Umberto's Restaurant on the ground floor serves good Italian dishes.

If you're looking for a bungalow or hotel on the beach, you'll find several options at the north end of Kamala (none of which have views of the beach, and some of which are absurdly priced). This one has newly designed concrete, tile, and wood rooms with nicer trimmings than the others. Each bungalow has a balcony, and a number of renovated rooms now feature air-conditioning and hot water. There is no restaurant at the resort, but you'll find plenty of beachside options just a few feet away.

On a cliff above a beach, this boutique resort boasts a beautiful view and a path down to the shore that travels within Khao Lak Lamru National Marine Park. Within the resort itself, a quiet natural atmosphere prevails. Rooms are in wooden cottages that are "rustic", in the sense that they do not have the usual explosion of silk fittings and Thai art that most resorts of this class have, but you'll hardly have to sacrifice any comfort here. Each room has a few deck chairs out front for gazing at the sea.

The Best House lobby, an inviting high-ceilinged room with comfortable chairs, white tile floors, and wooden beams, offers a good sense of what you can expect from the accommodations. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The place isn't on the beach, but it's very close to it. 

Octagonal villas with high ceilings, four-poster beds, and whirlpool tubs epitomize the luxury available to guests at this resort on a small private stretch of sand. Though the beach is nicer farther north, the water here is swimmable and, as it is on the south end of Nang Thong Road, the resort is ideally located for romantic beach walks. That is, if you can tear yourself away from the stunning tiered swimming pool long enough to explore the beach.

Chao Koh Phi Phi Lodge is a collection of unfortunately lime-green, basic but comfortable bungalows near Tonsai Bay. There's a great swimming pool, and the resort features family-size suites. At the back of the resort there are still some budget-friendly wooden fan huts. Evenings, the lodge runs a seafood restaurant by the sea, with a nice view of the bay.

This popular budget property is one of the largest (and oldest) hotels in Krabi---rooms in the new wing are more modern. Look for the rooms labeled "new style." Both buildings are near the night market and the river.

You'll get a great view of the cliff that inspired the hotel's name as soon as you step into the lobby, but then your attention will quickly shift to burned bricks, charred wooden tiles, and natural wooden beams. The Cliff's villas are set around a nonchlorinated ozone-treated swimming pool by the lobby. The rooms, each with an outdoor shower, feature glass bay doors on two sides. The suite is on stilts above a small private fishpond and is particularly popular with honeymooners.

On isolated Laem Son Beach, this family-run resort offers genuine Thai hospitality. Tall pines, arching coconut palms, flowers, and ferns abound, and many birds inhabit the grounds. The basic rooms have fans only, but larger air-conditioned villas have individually designed layouts and interior design, with walls in cheerful colors like lavender, pistachio, or yellow, and all include some Thai art. The resort is across the river from Noppharat Thara National Park.

On a hill between the two beach areas of Kata and Karon, these well-situated accommodations are a great value. The bungalows are basic but clean, and all rooms have balconies that overlook a garden courtyard area. Some of the rooms are a little dated and on the small side, but they are good for the price. Email for direct booking.

This budget-friendly resort is made up of basic bungalows on stilts in a tropical garden. All bungalows have single or double beds with fans and mosquito nets, hot water, and free Wi-Fi. It's nothing spectacular but it is charming and in a quiet location not far from the beach. The attached coffee shop serves excellent coffee and a choice of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Mr. Bamon, the owner, is extremely friendly and helpful and quick to give sightseeing tips. 

In the heart of Patong and close to all the action, the FunDee is a good budget option for this bustling area. The rooms are large and clean with touches of art deco styling, and the service is superior to what one would expect for this category of hotel.

The primary reason to stay here is to save money for day trips and nightlife. The large bright rooms have tile floors, and the ones on the top floor peek out over surrounding buildings for a nice view of the sea. All are available without the air-conditioning turned on for an extra discount. The hotel is close to the action in town (there's an Irish pub across the way), as well as to the minibus and longtail boat junction.

It's pretty basic, but the Krabi River Hotel, on the banks of Khlong Krabi Yai, is a good budget option with pleasant views. The decor is nothing special but it's clean and comfortable, and it's a short stroll to some riverside eateries.

The affordable beachside bungalows at the Lanta Miami are clean, spacious, and with big beds and have nicely sized tiled bathrooms. Try to snag a beachfront bungalow for the best experience. Some are right on the sand.

The majority of rooms here are surprisingly inexpensive cottages that face the beach and are surrounded by well-maintained gardens. White concrete beachfront cottages have contemporary Thai interiors, outdoor garden showers, and decks with sun chairs. Beyond the pool (which has a great pool bar) and garden stand 2 modern two- and three-story complexes with studios and roomy one-bedroom suites. Long walks along the beach are magical at sunset. Well-priced spa services are available next door at the Seaview Resort.

This small, friendly, family-run boutique guesthouse is in a quiet spot near town, on the quieter south end of Kamala Beach. Stone walls and a water feature set the tone outside. Owners Charly and Koong, a former interior designer, have created a modern concrete design in the lobby. The 10 rooms are functional, if a little small, but for the price it is a great budget option. The guesthouse is only 50 meters from the beach.

Despite having undergone renovations and pushing up its prices, Paradise Resort continues to offer great value for money. Make sure to book ahead (it's popular) and don't settle for less than beachfront. These are the best sea-view rooms on Long Beach, and the other rooms aren't all that special. All rooms have tile floors and are relatively characterless, though superior rooms are slightly better than family rooms, which are far from the beach. You probably won't spend much time in your room, however, as the water is crystal clear and the tree-lined facade of the resort offers essential shade.

For a less-expensive option, this is a comfortable convenient hotel in the center of Phuket Town, though it's a little tired around the edges. The top-floor Chinese restaurant has lovely views. The ground-floor café doubles as a nightclub with live music. There's also live music—anything from old waltzes to contemporary country tunes—in the cocktail lounge.

On the western hillside overlooking Loh Dalam Bay, the hillside bungalows here are stacked pretty tightly next to and on top of each other, but the six beachfront bungalows will give you a little more breathing room and privacy. The outdoor bar and the pool also have outstanding views of the beach and bay.

Among the best of the less expensive options on Railay, this place has clean bungalows in a garden setting and a great location near the beach. Ask for a bungalow up the hill for almost no extra charge and much better views. The management is friendly and can help you plan boat transfers at no extra charge, as well as offer a few suggestions about the area.

Thai-style lamps and silk throw pillows on the beds and sofas are colorful touches at this quiet retreat midway between East and West Railay beaches. All rooms have balconies that look out over the lotus pool and the fishpond to the surrounding cliffs. A teak walkway connects the restaurant to the swimming pool.

This convenient practical budget option has a great location and well-trained staff, albeit with tiny rooms. Don't expect any frills; everything has been pared down to give a minimalist feel. But if all you need is a place to rest your head, it's good value for the remarkably low price.

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, this eco-friendly boutique retreat has a swimming pool and a variety of tents from shared hostel-style accommodations to private tents with air conditioning and their own adjoining bathrooms. Weekly activities include a dedicated movie night with roasted marshmallows and a fire show. There's a restaurant and bar on-site.

If you like your huts to be of progressive design, go Somewhere Else---the six octagonal rooms in the front of the clearing are particularly cool, with fold-down windows, wooden floors, and loose-pebble bathroom floors. This resort is nothing fancy (expect cold water and fans), but it has a great vibe, and you'll enjoy playing Ping-Pong with friendly staff in the common room or just watching the sunset on the chill-out pillows strewn on various wooden platforms. Note that there's no hot water, but your shower will be warm from the sun.

With a fun slide plunging into a big pool and several two-bedroom villas (each with large multi-bed rooms), Southern Lanta is understandably popular with families. Standard rooms are bungalows built closely to each other with slightly run-down exteriors but comfortable interiors. Seaside rooms are newer and have sofas indoors and deck chairs outdoors for maximum lounging.

It's just a few minutes walk from the beach but it means the prices at this small friendly hotel are quite reasonable, and some rooms have balconies overlooking the street along the beach. This is one of the cleanest nicest budget options in the area. The staff is a joy, always attentive and making every effort to make your stay fun and enjoyable.

This longstanding resort on the Ao Nang beachfront has tastefully decorated rooms, an on-site spa, two swimming pools, and two restaurants, one of which is vegan. The central location is a big plus, as the resort is within walking distance to entertainment, shopping, and dining venues.