Phuket is perfect. At least, it’s as close to perfection as pure white sands, a warm tropical ocean, a rich local culture and a sublime climate can make a place. Generations of travellers have visited this big island off the western coast of Thailand, set in the cerulean blue water of the Andaman Sea. Phuket is a mountainous island. Its inner regions are a land of steep ridges and precipitous summits draped with a thick, viridescent cloak of rainforest. Unfolding along its long, sinuous coastline is a seemingly endless stretch of resorts and towns catering for every sector of the tourist market. But away from the mainstreet hubbub of bars, tattoo parlours, nightclubs, shoot banana shows, ladyboys and sunburnt tourists, travellers looking for more upmarket hotels and retreats will find that there are many superb options to be found. These luxury hotels and resorts lie hidden away amid the spectacular beaches, clifftops, tiny outer islands, and secluded rainforests of this Asian paradise. Phuket’s luxury accommodation options offer a far more sedate, spiritual and relaxing atmosphere than the crowded family and backpacker resorts crammed along the coast. These are places where you can truly unwind: idyllic sanctuaries of contemplation, silence and discretion. Attention to detail is paramount in Thai culture so you can guarantee that your dream retreat will be flawless in every way. And if you feel like escaping the crowds even further, Phuket’s collection of outer islands, scattered like jewels across the glittering Andaman Sea, feature some of the world’s most exclusive, innovative and secluded resorts. So if your idea of paradise is an infinity pool, a gentle Thai massage, and sipping a cocktail while you watch a perfect sunset framed by gracefully curving coconut palms, then Phuket is the place for you. We have compiled a selection of our favourite Phuket luxury hotels. Check them out below.
Rating: 8.7
The luxury hotel and resort of Amari Phuket (SHA Plus+) is a short journey outside the centre of the town of Patong on Phuket Island. Situated on a headland at the south end of Patong’s beach, it offers exceptional views of the Andaman Sea.
Occupying such a location, the rooms benefit from their floor to ceiling windows with many offering sea views. The rooms feature contemporary design with dashes of bold reds or greens amongst the otherwise neutral colours. The rooms and the balconies of the suites also feature chairs made from woven wood.
The hotel benefits from its beachfront location, enticing you to the sea. If you want to eat before you go, you could eat in the jetty restaurant. If you want to relax before you go, you could go to the spa to enjoy a Jacuzzi or get your knots worked out with a Thai massage.
Situated right next to the beach, you could take a cruise of the bay. If you want to up the pace, you could make that cruise in a speedboat or head into Patong to explore its nightlife. But if you want to slow things down, you could venture inland to explore Thailand’s villages and find some Buddhist temples.
Rating: 8.7
The Mövenpick Myth Hotel is a modern luxury hotel with a unique style. Located in the town of Patong on the west coast of Phuket Island, this hotel is in a superb location. During the day, its timeless luxury will soothe and inspire you before you head out to enjoy the local nightlife.
The hotel’s style deliberately evokes the heritage of King Rama V who spanned the 19th and early 20th centuries. The lobby has chandeliers, statues and a sweeping staircase, with the lobby bar and the restaurant drawing upon art deco. The rooms feature neutral colours, but add details such as dark woods and regional maps on the walls.
If you’re eating in, then the restaurant offers a delicious range of Thai, Chinese and western foods, while the bar and pool bar offer cocktails and lighter options. There’s a spa where you can enjoy a genuine Thai massage. There’s also great event facilities, so you could have your wedding in the most memorable of locations.
Outside, the life of Patong is waiting for you. You could take to the water with cruises or surfing. Head inland and you can find temples and museums. You could take a hike in the Khao Phra Taew National Park and recharge with a massage at the hotel before you go out to enjoy Paton’s nightlife.
Rating: 8.7
Grand Mercure Phuket Patong is on the west coast of Phuket Island. This thoroughly modern luxury hotel was built to meet UNESCO’s Sustainable Property standards. These standards were created by the UN to help ensure that development doesn’t erode the environment or local economies.
The Grand Mercure has taken great care to craft a unified design across its rooms, suites and even poolside villas. The rooms feature neutral, welcoming colours with occasional dark woods. There are also splashes of the vivid colours that you can find when exploring Patong.
If you want to eat in, then you can enjoy Thai food in the restaurant, French pastries and tea in the deli shop, or drinks in the lounge or bar. You can take cooking lessons to take Thai dining home with you. But if you must work, try spicing up your meetings with the hotel’s themed coffee breaks.
But the life of Patong will undoubtedly call you outside to a dazzling array of options. There are many restaurants around the town. Beaches. Beaches with elephants. A tiger park. Speedboat cruises. Swimming. Snorkelling. Inland you can find jungles. Ziplines through the jungle. Waterfalls. Whatever you love, there’s little chance of you being bored.
Being the largest island in Thailand, there is plenty to do and see on your trip to Phuket. So, after a great night’s sleep at your luxury hotel, start checking off these top sights and fun activities that Phuket has on offer. 1. Check out the night markets in Phuket Town Thailand is famed for its tasty street food and bustling night markets, and Phuket is no exception. While you’ll find night markets all over the island, the best ones are undoubtedly in Phuket Town. Phuket Town is often referred to as the Old Town. Its streets are lined with colourful 19th-century houses and Sino-Portuguese buildings, making it stand out from the rest of the island. Walking around Phuket Town is an attraction in itself, but visiting the night markets on the weekend will take your experience to a whole new level. You’ll find markets on most nights, but the Sunday walking street market is by far the most popular. 2. Surf at Kata Beach Phuket’s locals love to surf almost as much as Aussies, so if you’re keen to try the waves of the Andaman Sea, head to Kata Beach. This vast stretch of water offers plenty of space to catch a wave on your own. Moreover, there are many surfing schools here offering classes to beginners too. 3. Sail around the islands on a private yacht charter For an enjoyable day out, visit some of the untouched islands around Phuket. Plenty of tour operators offer boat trips out to explore them. However, for a more luxurious experience, hire a private yacht charter to transport you around the crystal clear waters. Cruising the ocean on a private yacht can make for an incredible party if you’re travelling with a group of friends. Alternatively, it can be a romantic day out for couples or a memorable family trip. 4. Hike to the breathtaking Black Rock viewpoint If, like me, you like to seek out the hidden treasures of your vacation destination, hike up to Black Rock to discover one of Phuket’s most incredible (and unknown) views. Black Rock is located in the south of the island between Naiharn and Kata. You’ll need to trek through the jungle following a short but steep trail to get to the viewpoint. However, the effort is totally worth it for the spectacular vista of the south of the island. 5. Kayak through a mangrove forest For an even more secret experience, head to the Tha Chat Chai Mangrove Forest in the north. This hidden nature reserve is tucked away within Centre 2 of Phuket’s Marine National Park’s HQ. It begins with a gentle stroll along a raised wooden walkway, allowing you to get up close to the tropical jungle’s impressive ecosystem. You can then hop into a kayak to explore deeper in the forest via the canals. 6. Enjoy sunset drinks at Baba Nest After all your adventures, you’ll want to let your hair down and enjoy your vacation. Baba Next in Cape Panwa is the place to be at sunset. This trendy, exclusive rooftop bar sits right at the bottom of the cape, giving panoramic views of the surrounding islands. It has an expansive infinity pool that surrounds the wooden decked seating area. They have an extensive list of high-end cocktails on offer, along with fine wine, champagne. 7. Party at Cafe Del Mar There’s no better place to celebrate your vacation than the stylish Cafe Del Mar in Kamala. This Ibiza-style beach club throws some of the best parties on the island, with top DJs spinning the decks. However, if that’s not your thing, Cafe Del Mar is still worth a visit during the day when the vibe is more chilled. They serve some of the most authentic Italian-style pizza in Phuket and stock every alcoholic drink you can imagine.