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We've compiled the best of the best in Phuket and the Andaman Coast - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Most of the bungalows at this chill resort have views of Koh Ha and balconies where you can sway in a hammock or kick back in a palm-straw rocking chair. The rooms are basic, with cloth canopy ceilings and rattan walls. It almost doesn't matter that the shore here is rocky rather than sandy; many guests take courses with the in-house dive shop, practicing in the pool or the crystal-clear sea. Others snorkel or just soak up the view from the large Jacuzzi.
The rain forest meets the stunning beach at Pimalai, where the seductive yet unpretentious luxury attracts guests from far and wide. Sleek Thai-style accommodations (including deluxe rooms, beachfront villas, and spacious hillside pool villas) are outfitted with teak floors, Thai silks, and private outdoor spaces (many also have infinity pools and outdoor showers). Nestled in a lush, delightfully cacophonous hilly jungle and overlooking stunning water vistas, the property is a paradise unto itself. The main areas are surrounded by hundreds of hectares of verdant land, which further honors the promise of privacy. Check in to relax by the pool, play on the beach, take a yoga class, and indulge in a sumptuous pampering session (booking ahead is essential).
Nestled on the coastline of Koh Yao Yai, a quiet fishing island, Anantara Koh Yao Yai offers breathtaking views of the sea. Suites are large, airy, and furnished with blonde wood; pool villas and penthouses come with standalone pools and private treatment rooms. Children will love the family suites and extensive kids’ club facilities. The hotel can also arrange for visits of the island on a motorbike and sidecar.
Located right on a long pristine expanse of Khao Lak Beach, this resort is so big that it almost feels like a small village. Guests of all ages love the wave pool and water trampoline and many rooms have direct access to the longest lagoon pool in Southeast Asia that meanders 2½ km (more than 1½ miles) through the resort. The resort also has the largest organic hotel farm in the area where guests can learn about sustainable crops like nipa palm and the mangrove forest.
This ecofriendly retreat has secluded bungalows and villas all with bright contemporary interiors. The accommodation is spread out across a well-maintained garden offering plenty of privacy. There is a huge curvaceous pool and easy access to an 800-meter-long beachfront. There are several restaurants and bars, including a coffee shop, which serve good food. The Marine Discovery Center educates school kids and guests alike about the local ecosystem and coordinates the resort's efforts to regenerate coral and repopulate endangered species.
The luxurious private villas here come with high ceilings, two-seat jacuzzi bathtubs, private patios and pools, and an enormous dressing room, as well as a personal butler who is on call throughout your stay to look after your every need, from booking a restaurant to drawing your bubble bath. The Akoya Bar is perhaps the island’s most dramatic rooftop bar, with daybeds set by an infinity pool that makes it look like you could walk off the edge and right into the sea.
Weatherworn yet luxurious, the villas at Six Senses have outdoor bathrooms, infinity pools, and terraces where you can soak up the view of the karsts scattered across Phang Nga Bay. At the spa, guests are examined and connected to an oximeter to determine the best personalized treatments. The on-site mushroom farm, goat pen, and chicken coop are all working features of the hotel that guests can take part in.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guests repeatedly return to the Layana for the pampering, understated luxury, and a relaxed peaceful environment. The scenic location, attention to detail, and friendly efficient service make this a top resort, with spacious accommodations kept in tip-top shape. Some suites have beds looking directly out to sea and a top floor terrace with a writing desk, minibar, and sofa, and all have lovely outdoor rainfall showers. The romantic seafront restaurant serves delicious, reasonably priced Thai or international dishes while also organizing wine tasting nights and cooking classes. The impressive spa is highly professional and its unique menu will leave you spoiled for choice.
This resort couldn't have a better location—it's on a beach shared with just three other resorts, where the gorgeous blue water has a sandy sea floor and you can swim and snorkel year-round. Most bungalows have identical design, with parquet floors, comfortable indoor daybeds, and decks with lounge chairs. A few rooms are family-style duplexes; those numbered 100 to 118 are also beachfront. There are also hillside rooms with spectacular beach views, and an additional pool, bar, and restaurant. The Terrace Restaurant, which serves Thai and international cuisines, has splendid views of the sea, and the cliff-side satay bar is one of the few sunset viewpoints on the island. Classes in Thai culture, arts, cooking, and language are offered throughout the week. The resort offers boat service from Phuket.
The 24 houses that make up this "beach club" are unique in design and sleep between 2 and 8 people, and most have large decks and kitchens. Solly's House, a two-story glass house on the beach, is particularly popular. Powdery white sand is a short walk away, and kayaks are available. The main clubhouse has a bar and a common area with great views. There are no restaurants on the property, but you can order a breakfast basket delivery, get groceries delivered, or even book a private Thai chef.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
