12 Best Hotels in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Far from the crowds, this secluded resort is on a vast stretch of sand and has spotlessly clean, luxurious rooms with impeccable classic Thai design. The service levels meet expected Marriott levels, and the restaurants offer a great selection of Western and Thai favorites, with the added bonus of an on-site cooking school.

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.

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.

Located across from Patong Beach, this stylish and contemporary resort has a bit of everything, including five restaurants, a bar, a kids' club, a playground, a swimming pool, and more. There are plenty of activities to keep guests occupied, and it's within walking distance to the entertainment district of Bangla Road. 

This family-friendly modern hotel has two wings, two activity centers for kids, as well as a children's pool with a waterfall. The Busakorn wing has a separate Thai-style reception area, peaked-roof rooms, and an adults-only swimming pool surrounded by Singha and elephant sculptures and fountains.

On the tropical hillside at Kamala Bay, these spacious contemporary rooms and suites all have private balconies with spectacular sea views. The hotel also has three restaurants, a bar, spa, a kids' club, a dive center, a fitness center, and the largest seafront infinity pool in Phuket. A free tuk-tuk will take you to the center of Kamala and a paid van service is available to Patong. 

On the island of Koh Jum, in Phang Nga Bay between Krabi, Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta, Koh Jum Lodge has rooms in 20 wooden cottages designed in traditional Thai architectural style, on the grounds of a coconut palm plantation in a tropical garden setting. All cottages are near the beach, facing Phi Phi Islands to the west, each benefiting from sunset and sea views. Although the resort is open all year, public boats do not service it year-round. During the high season (November to mid-May), boats from Krabi to Koh Lanta stop offshore, where longtail boats ferry you to the island. The remainder of the year you must contact the resort to hire a B3,000 longtail for the 40-minute ride out to the island from Krabi.

This resort takes great pride in its service levels, with polite, knowledgeable, and informative staff. There are many categories of rooms with something for everyone, from two-bedroom family residences on the beach to romantic villas that have rooftop plunge pools. Live classical Thai music greets you as you enter an expansive lobby lavishly decorated with Thai art, and the landscaped grounds include a scuba diving center and a peaceful spa. The sprawling property has entrances on the town side and the beachfront.  

At the Pavilions, each of the private villas has a pool and a small kitchen, plus you can have meals delivered to your room, and spa treatments, too, so you never have to see other guests if you don't want to. Rooms have enormous tubs, covered outdoor beds with fans, and ocean views from either the bed or the pool. If you feel the need to mingle with other guests, there is a bar with panoramic views at the peak of the hill; nonguests also drop in here for spectacular sunsets. Note that the resort does not allow children. Scheduled shuttle service is available for the beach and shopping areas.

This is a stunning resort with scenic vantage points, and a unique design infused with Sino-Portuguese heritage. All the rooms and pool villas have local art and handicrafts and beautiful sea or garden views. There is a 1,000-square-meter free-form swimming pool, kids' club, wading pool and waterslide, plus a fabulous beachside restaurant. This tasteful resort is close to a charming local village and within proximity to Khao Sak National Park.