Heading to Phuket? These are the best beach hotels and resorts this Thai island paradise has to offer.
Phuket is a spellbinding island consisting of lush mountains and ridges lapped by the cyan-blue sparkling waters of the Andaman Sea. This natural wonderland is dotted with ancient sites representing Thailand’s fascinating cultural history, traditional villages and markets, as well as a thriving modern tourism scene, making it perfect for any taste. Phuket’s jungles are full of wildlife, such as tropical birds, monkeys, elephants and even a few tigers, and its coasts are thriving with colourful corals and spectacular sea life, making it a perfect destination for nature-lovers.
Best of all, Phuket is home to some of the most popular beaches in Thailand, and visitors can enjoy everything from sunbathing to beach picnics, swimming, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Read on for Phuket’s best beach hotels and resorts.
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Katathani Phuket Beach Resort
Situated on stunning Kata Noi Bay, with its soft, white sand and deep blue ocean teeming with colourful sea life, Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is certainly an idyllic paradise. This hugely popular resort is ideal for those wanting to experience a secluded retreat without sacrificing modern conveniences.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is built for water-based fun, with 850 metres of glorious beach, six beautifully designed pools, four children’s pools, three hot tubs and two water springs. If you have kids, there’s an exciting water park with a slide, too. One of the highlights is the unique E-Surf experience, the only one of its kind in Phuket. The electric-powered surfboard is similar to using a wakeboard but doesn’t require extra equipment. If you want a calmer experience, go for a float in the crystal kayak – a completely transparent kayak that gives you an unobstructed view of the colourful coral and sea life below.
The beautifully appointed rooms, decorated in a contemporary Thai style, are comfortable and inviting, and almost all suite options have ocean views. The resort boasts a delectable range of dining options, with seven restaurants and bars offering local and international fare. Go shopping at the onsite boutiques, indulge in self-care at the glorious wellness spa or grab a handcrafted cocktail and gaze at the stars while lounging by the pool. If you have kids, they’ll love the fun kids' club.
To further explore this gorgeous part of the world, the tour desk will help you plan the perfect day out. Whether you want to visit the local cultural and historic sites, golden temples, local markets, natural wonders or lively clubs, you’ll be able to do it all before relaxing in luxury.
The Nai Harn
Imagine enjoying a delicious BBQ prepared by your personal butler, then lazing on a daybed on your private terrace, cocktail in hand, while taking in unfettered views of nearby tropical islands, cliffsides and azure ocean. This is just one tiny slice of the many memorable moments you’ll experience at the amazing Nai Harn resort. The location of this resort is what makes it so popular. Nestled on the side of a mountain thriving with lush green foliage, the resort’s frontage is the glorious Nai Harn Bay, which offers a truly breathtaking view.
The luxury resort is steeped in modernity, while also retaining its traditional tropical charm. Whether you opt for a sea-view or mountain-view suite, you’ll enjoy beautiful minimalist décor, innovative technology and luxury touches fit for royalty. Choose from three exclusive open-architecture dining experiences and then mingle with fellow guests at the ocean-view rooftop lounge. Even the lavish spa and gym offer glorious views, which add to the feeling of rich decadence and extreme relaxation this resort brings.
Intense relaxation isn’t the only activity you’ll be able to take part in. Other leisure activities at the resort include chef-led cooking classes, luxury picnics, scuba diving and snorkelling, kayaking, paddle-boarding and other non-motorised sports. Further afield, you’ll find cultural and environmental excursions, stunning historical temples, distillery tours, local markets, cruises and a gibbon rehabilitation centre. After a day of excitement, come back to the resort for a starlit stroll along the pristine sands of this little paradise.
Amatara Wellness Resort
If the stresses of life have left you feeling frazzled, there’s no better place to be than the ultra-luxurious Amatara Wellness Resort. With vistas of the sparkling Andaman Sea on Phuket's Cape Panwa, this wellness resort will leave you rejuvenated and teach you how to keep feeling that way after you leave. Join the organised wellness activities or take advantage of the resort’s spectacular features at your own pace.
If you decide to take part in the wellness programs, you’ll have an initial consultation with a skilled naturopath, who will help you decide which exciting, relaxing and health-oriented activities to try. Some of these programs include yoga, pilates, detox sessions, fitness activities, group sports, water sports, martial arts, stress and burnout recovery, sleep retreat programs and more. You can even opt to experience what the resort calls a ‘complete mind and body metamorphosis’ with your whole family. Sublime bliss is guaranteed no matter what you choose.
The good vibes extend to the sumptuous accommodation. Each designer-created villa has stunning views of the pristine ocean from private balconies or private pool decks. Traditional styling meets modern convenience, ensuring a comfortable stay in elegant surroundings. The two signature restaurants, of course, focus on health, but still offer a feeling of indulgence via their delicious Thai and international cuisine. You’ll have earned a delicious cocktail at the two sea-view terrace bars, where you can get to know other guests and enjoy spectacular sunsets. Cool off afterwards in the beautiful lagoon pool.
The huge number of activities at this resort means you won’t need to leave to find some excitement. If you do want to experience the local culture and history, the resort can help you arrange tours to local attractions, hikes, cruises, island visits and more.
Island Escape by Burasari
Nothing encompasses the feeling of a ‘tropical beach resort’ like an actual island escape. The gorgeous Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island) is home to Island Escape by Burasari – a modern, welcoming resort nestled in a secluded paradise. This resort is perfect for families, as it offers child-friendly features alongside serene, adults-only areas.
The resort is split into four unique sections, each with its own characteristics. Ocean Zone is all about tropical, oceanfront luxury accommodation, with sweeping, white-sand beach access and views. Lagoon Zone offers views of the lush, green lagoon area from enchanting villas, where you can relax in an overwater hammock, cocktail in hand. Swim Zone is an amazing area with spectacular villas fronting vast pools, landscaped with bridges, walkways, sundeck islands and water slides. Play Zone is the spot to be for kids, with villas located in a tropical adventure land, fun play equipment, treehouses, rock-climbing walls, ziplines, a mini kids’ water world, blooming gardens and plenty of space to run around.
Each villa is as unique and exciting as the zone it's located in. Some include kid-friendly features, such as indoor play gyms, while all offer unparalleled luxury characteristics, so you’ll never forget you’re at a five-star resort. The dining options are sublime, with a mouthwatering Thai menu at the beachfront restaurant and tasty drink options at the treetop bar. To truly indulge, the wellness spa offers a range of blissful treatments.
Explore this captivating island with its pristine beaches and rugged, tropical flora, or go off-island with day excursions to cultural, historical, natural and modern attractions nearby. This island escape is the ultimate tropical wonderland that has definitely earned its place as one of Phuket’s best beach hotels and resorts.
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