27 Best Hotels in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

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.

Located at the quiet end of Patong Beach, just seconds to the sea and a short stroll to Patong nightlife, The Charm has modern rooms, some of which have direct access to a lagoon pool. You can also take advantage of perks like the rooftop infinity pool and bar, a jacuzzi, and a sauna.

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.

Phuket's tin-mining history is the inspiration at The Slate, and the resort features artworks and collectibles from the prominent Na-Rarong family, with a decor that blends postindustrial cyberpunk with a hint of Thai luxury. Each of the spacious rooms and suites has a different theme, and the villas have private pools. There are three public pools as well, and several bars and restaurants—try the famous Sunday brunch at Rivet or glide your way to Chef Piak's expertly prepared Thai dinner at Black Ginger aboard a dramatically torch-lit raft.

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 a family with an interest in sports, consider Avani+ Khao Lak, which has a massive kids' club and a sports center with indoor and outdoor climbing walls, a Muay Thai ring, and state-of-the-art gym equipment. A variety of water sports, bikes, and even early morning walks with a guide on the beach keep even the most active ones occupied.

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.

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.

The once-faded Metropole, the town's first high-end hotel, rebranded to sparkling results: The rooms are bright with new furnishings and the rooftop pool is a stunner. The hotel's handsome Chinese restaurant serves great dim sum.

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.

In the laid-back and increasingly trendy Old Town, or Sri Raya, Mango House is a home away from home, with three seafront suites and three villas, all in Chinese-style wooden houses that stand on stilts over the water. The spacious interiors are even more impressive than the outside area, with high ceilings, modern amenities, and decorated in a simple colonial style. They also each include a kitchenette and terrace. Mango House's restaurant is popular for its Western-style brunches, burgers, and specials, as well as its live DJ sets, with friendly, in-the-know owner Duane on the decks. In off-season months Duane welcomes writers and artists to rent his accommodations for longer periods at much lower prices.

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.

This sleek boutique hotel is in one of the busier parts of Ao Nang, offering proximity to shopping, dining, and drinking, plus swimming at the Noppharat Thara and Ao Nang beaches on either side. Some of the spacious rooms, decorated in a contemporary style with Thai touches, have direct access to a lovely courtyard pool that one can step into from a small wooden balcony-deck. There is also another small pool on the hotel's rooftop, which is great for a dip at the end of a long day with sunset drinks and wonderful open views of the sea and verdant cliffs.

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.

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.

This is arguably Phuket Town's best address, with rooms that are spacious and contemporary. The hotel exemplifies art deco chic, and the staff is attentive, professional, and courteous. The large Club Asia health club is popular with locals. The top-floor Thai Thai Room has outdoor seating and great views; the Cappuccino 154 deli on the ground floor caters its baked goods to other coffee shops around town.

This addition to Phuket Town provides a pleasant option from the larger, often less charming hotels in the area. Bamboo and wood decor in the lobby reflect the inspiration behind the hotel's name and theme, which celebrate Phuket's Chinese heritage. The rooms and suites are spacious, with clean lines and an impressive painting in each. Large windows let in lots of light, but the urban views are a bit of a letdown. Service is attentive, although the standard of English spoken at the reception desk is poor.

On the eastern end of Noppharat Thara, Srisuksant is a short walk from Ao Nang's shops and directly across from the beach. Although that beach is not ideal for swimming, longtail boats are available to whisk you away to more suitable spots, and if you feel like walking west a few miles, you can swim or picnic in the shade by the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park headquarters. The resort has two swimming pools for cooling off if you're too lazy to do any of the above. The clientele here is mostly Thai families, although Westerners are greeted warmly. The bright rooms have tile floors and small decks, and some have partial ocean views.

Overlooking quiet Siray Bay, this sprawling, albeit slightly dated, property is a few minutes' drive to Phuket Town but has everything on-site, from kids' activities to a pampering spa. Some villas are equipped with kitchens, some rooms have shared pools, but pretty much everybody gets killer sunsets, from the rooms or from the common areas.