35 Best Hotels in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Stylish design, a romantic atmosphere, and a beautiful beach are all part of the package at the Aleenta. Two-story lofts have glass walls overlooking the sea; you can watch the sunset from the bed, the sofa, or from your small poolside deck. Pool suites and pool villas are also available. Breakfast is served by the beach, as are sunset cocktails. The library has movie nights complete with popcorn. Note that, despite its name, the resort is located just over the Sarasin Bridge, on the mainland north of Phuket.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more sparklingly dignified hotel in Thailand—nor one quite as expensive. (The nightly rate for the most sumptuous villas tops B10,000.) There are two palm-shaded restaurants overlooking the blue-tiled swimming pool, and the reception area, with beautifully polished teak floors, is completely open in the dry season so that you can enjoy the ocean breezes. Choose between rooms in secluded hillside pavilions or immense villas with a private pool. Prices differ according to the view offered; villas have between two and six bedrooms. The split-level bar has stunning sunset views.

Surrounded by Ao Nang's lush limestone cliffs, Anana was built to be environmentally sustainable. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the spa has a Himalayan salt chamber, and the restaurant offers organic plant-forward dishes. The well-designed pools compensate for the lack of direct beach access.

On the beach with a rolling garden, the Banyan Tree is a luxurious sanctuary. Suites and villas have a contemporary design with amenities like coffeemakers and scented aromatherapy oils---plus each has its own private pool. This luxury resort is perfect for families or a romantic getaway. 

If you're looking for a bit of pampering, head to this exclusive resort on Laguna Beach, with private villas equipped with pools and bathrooms that are as big as the bedrooms. Some villas are older with teakwood paneling, while others sport more contemporary Thai design. The flagship location of Banyan Tree spas, with branches all across the globe, can be found here, with expert massage therapists.

From the moment you enter the vast open lobby, it's obvious that a great deal of care has gone into every aspect of this stunningly situated, modern hotel. Indeed, it is difficult to leave the hotel when every whim is catered to, from swimming and spas to bike trips and fine restaurants. Kids are kept busy with a wide variety of activities, while the spacious rooms and expansive views let the adults relax in style.

The unique thatched tree houses of this luxurious resort are tucked into the slopes of a serene jungle valley close to the shores of Kamala Beach. Everything is tastefully decorated, inspired by the legend of four mythical island clans: Earth, Wanderer, Sky, and Nest. It's a remarkable vision that extends to the interior design. The onsite Mala Restaurant features healthy ingredients like mushrooms grown on-site, and the spa is focused on holistic therapies.

The open-air bungalows and tented villas at Koyao Island Resort allow you to admire the surroundings from your own luxury accommodations; you can even throw open the doors and watch the sunrise from your bed. An ideal romantic hideaway, Koyao Island Resort even arranges candlelit dinners and private beach barbecues. Although the beach is not great for swimming or sunbathing, there are beach chairs on the grass beside the sea, and kayaks and mountain bikes are available for use around the island. 

This lovely boutique resort has modern rooms with local Southern Thai elements, and most have balconies or daybeds; villas have more features, including private outdoor rain showers. Although La Flora appeals to urban professional couples looking for a romantic getaway, families are well accommodated in two-bedrooms villas, and little ones will enjoy the kids' club. Bang Niang Beach is great for sunbathing and swimming; there is also a small reef for snorkeling directly in front of the resort.

On an island filled with luxury resorts, the Rosewood sets itself apart, literally, with its 600-meter secluded beach and expansive private pavilions and villas. Separation from the ordinary continues with unique dining options, which run the gamut from southern Thai seafood to high-end Italian to an inspired seaside shack serving comfort grilled cuisine. Phuket has long been inundated by same-same hospitality but Rosewood's luxury spa, modern architecture, and pristine pools make it a total escape from the ordinary.

Located on a lush headland near Cape Panwa, this beautifully designed resort has a cool contemporary vibe that makes it popular with visiting celebrities seeking luxury and seclusion in the property's exclusive suites and sleek villas. The lodgings come with amenities like private lap pools, outdoor Jacuzzis, and either sunrise or sunset views. Rooftop yoga, an award-winning spa, private cooking classes, and Muay Thai lessons are just some of the services guests can enjoy. There is even a small private beach.

This intimate resort is on a calm lovely beach and the rooms have spectacular views of the Hong Islands. The elegant wooden buildings here resemble a kor lae, a traditional southern Thai fishing boat. All superior and deluxe rooms are a few steps from the free-form swimming pool, while the sea view villas are only steps from the beach. A cozy library and bar has books and games for rainy days and relaxing evenings, while The Arundina serves southern Thai specialities curated by celebrity chef David Thompson.

Set on Bang Thao Beach, this resort is stylish and contemporary with tastefully decorated rooms and suites that all have either garden, lagoon, pool, or ocean views. A massive free-form swimming pool meanders throughout the resort, and there are six restaurants to choose from. Daily activities are offered to occupy guests, there is a kids' club, and the on-site Angsana Spa offers fantastic rejuvenating treatments. Free shuttle bus and boat around Laguna Phuket.

The south end of Patong is a little quieter than the rest, and several "boutique" hotels have sprung up in recent years, and this one, across the road from the beach, has some elegant rooms. Although somewhat pricey, the rooms are decked out with four-poster beds, and other features in dark woods, and white linens. Rooms on the fourth floor have the best sea views.

Located on the western shore of Koh Phra Tong, this luxurious eco-resort has 27 secluded wooden villas and a host of wellness programs and yoga classes designed to elicit ultimate inner peace and tranquility. The houses have polished wooden floors and fans—not offering air-conditioning is one of their many environmental initiatives—and minimal yet charming Thai-chic decor. The resort goes by responsible tourism principles, working closely with the community and avoiding the use of glass bottles and plastic. The restaurant serves Thai cuisine made with fresh seasonal ingredients sourced locally.

This landmark resort—one of Phuket's oldest—has long been one of the most sought-after places to stay. The main lobby retains a nautical flair that evokes a New England yacht club, while guest rooms are spacious and light, with a modern design and touches of traditional Thai. The Boathouse Restaurant has more than 400 labels in its cellar (reservations recommended).

One of the coolest things about this boutique resort is that some of the rooms are "convertible": If you're too hot you can open up the "walls" and allow the breeze to blow through. That said, it's not over-designy; sustainability is the big theme and some describe it as sort of upscale camping, with air-conditioning and a nice bathroom. The resort is at the northern end of Klong Dao Beach—the quiet end of an already quiet beach. Isolation is a blessing here, as the resort has almost everything you might need, including a pool table and a spa. The water here is swimmable, and snorkeling around Kaw Kwang Cape, while not exceptional, is pleasant and there are fish to be seen.

This modern resort is spread around an expansive mangrove forest, directly on the beach: the contemporary and colorful standard rooms overlook the forest, while the six suites have views of the sea. There are many activities to keep guests occupied, including sailing and tennis on lighted courts. The pools, restaurants, and bar are down by the beach, where various water sports are available, and the sunbathing and swimming are great.

Organized by a community of Koh Yao residents, locals invite visitors to stay in their homes, share meals with them (consisting primarily of fish caught by village fishermen), and learn about about local customs like rubber tapping, batik dying, fishing, rice farming, coconut harvesting, and other traditional trades. It's a lot more environmentally friendly and less invasive on the island's Indigenous people than resort development.

There are large ponds with water lilies and fountains, and brick paths meander from the villas to the pool to the spa---it's all very chic. Northern Thai–style villas have marble floors, and all but the standard rooms have outdoor garden baths. Honeymooners are greeted with flowers, cake, and bubbly wine. Beachside massage is available for all.

Between Patong and Karon Beach, this sprawling resort has more bars, cafés, and restaurants than in many small towns, while the range of outdoor diversions—everything from tennis to water skiing—means you never have to leave the property. There are hundreds of guests at any given time, yet the resort never feels too crowded, thanks to its thoughtful design and staff that are always eager to help. Two huge wings are where you'll find the rooms, many of which have sea views or overlook the pair of large pools.

This surprisingly quiet option has luxury cottages that stretch over the lush hillside that separates Karon from Kata Beach---those higher on the hill are the quietest. Best of all, Marina Cottage has its own beach access, keeping the hordes at bay. Half the jungle rooms around the pool have all the latest high-tech amenities; note that some older rooms don't have certain amenities, like TVs.

Originally the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, the Nai Harn was Phuket's first luxury hotel and still delivers impeccable Thai hospitality. The ocean view rooms all have balconies overlooking sleepy Nai Harn Bay, with views of Promthep Cape in the distance. If you need a little refreshment, your suite comes with a dedicated  "Press for Champagne" button.

In the center of West Railay, this resort offers comfortable cottages and more opulent villas. Added bonuses are great Thai food and a beachside patio and bar from which you can watch the sunset. You can also get a massage in a room overlooking the beach and pool. The minimart is nearby.

This enormous lively resort stretches gracefully across an entire hillside along the road from Klong Khong Beach to Klong Nin. Look for lush green landscaping with palm trees, shrubs, and flowers, a choice of pools, an extensive kids' club, a game room, and more. Some rooms have private pools, and the spa is gorgeous.

Scattered across 26 landscaped acres, this magnificent resort is set in coconut groves with white-sand beaches on three sides. The lobby faces East Railay, the pool looks out over West Railay Bay, and the beach bar and restaurant are the only structures on Phra Nang Beach—Rayavadee has the only direct access to this beautiful stretch of sand. Circular pavilions built in traditional Thai style have spacious living rooms with curving staircases that lead up to opulent bedrooms and baths with huge round tubs. Some of the best rooms have secluded gardens with private hot tubs. Four restaurants assure variety—the beachfront Krua Pranang, set in a breezy pavilion, serves outstanding Thai food.