Where to stay in Phuket is the age-old question for travelers visiting Phuket for the first time. Phuket is loosely divided into two halves, and before you decide on the best place to stay, you have to decide on the best area to stay in Phuket.
The island’s west coast is more tourist-oriented and is often considered the best place to stay in Phuket. It has beautiful beaches, more development, and better shopping, restaurants and nightlife attractions. It also has amazing sunsets, which have added to its popularity.
However, the east coast of Phuket also has beautiful beaches, panoramic vistas, and all types of accommodations. It doesn’t have the number of hostels and hotels that the west coast has, but some travelers appreciate the quiet and peacefulness it provides from crowds of tourists and visitors.
Both sides of the island have a variety of places to stay that fit the four main types of accommodations on the island. We’ll explore these four types of accommodation so you can decide which suits your budget and lifestyle the best.
Backpacker Hostels
Backpacker accommodations in Thailand generally mean sleeping in a bunk bed in a hostel with several other travelers in dormitory-style rooms. Expect to pay anywhere from THB 150 to 600 per night, depending on the location and amenities. Many hostels also offer private rooms for THB 600 to 1,500 per night.
Guests of hostels often share bathrooms, cooking facilities and lounges. Free WiFi is generally included; staying connected through social media is vital to backpackers. The hostel experience is one of socializing and sharing travel stories and tips on places to visit during one’s travels.
Budget Hotel Rooms
Budget hotels in Phuket offer basic accommodation for between THB 500 and 1,000 per night. These are generally clean but basic rooms without many added amenities. Some may have pools, fitness rooms, and room safes, but for many, a great location may be their only selling point. They suit travelers on a budget who still appreciate a private room. One tip for booking an acceptable budget hotel room is to pay close attention to the online reviews and recommendations before committing.
4-star Hotel Rooms
4-star hotel rooms may be one of the most popular types of accommodation in Phuket. Business travelers, families, retirees, and young couples often frequent 4-star hotels. The rooms generally cost between THB 1,000 and 3,000 per night and can include a wide range of facilities and amenities, including swimming pools, fitness rooms, bathroom amenities, mini-bars, safes, and spa facilities on the hotel grounds. They also may offer transportation services to the airport and local attractions.
5-star Deluxe Hotel Rooms, Suites and Villas
The choice of the best places to stay in Phuket increases dramatically when you get to the higher end of the accommodation spectrum. 5-star deluxe accommodations include spacious and luxurious hotel rooms, multi-room suites, and private, exclusive pool villas. The costs for all this opulence can vary widely as well. Expect to pay THB 5,000 per night for the least expensive 5-star hotel room and anywhere from THB 30,000 or more for a multi-bedroom pool villa with a private butler in an exclusive resort.
Logistics of a Vacation in Phuket
Phuket is a small enough island that your choice of a nice, comfortable, and affordable place to stay close to restaurants and shops should be your main deciding factor in finding a place to stay. You can easily take a day trip across the island and still enjoy an early night’s sleep in your choice of accommodation.
Visit a Pearl Farm on Phuket’s East Coast
One increasingly popular and unique activity is to visit a Phuket pearl farm, factory, and showroom on the island’s east coast and learn the process of seeding oysters and harvesting their exquisite pearls. Amorn Phuket Pearl has been farming pearls in Phuket for over fifty years. The company was started in 1967 and has become established as a third-generation family-owned and run business in Phuket.
Our Thailand pearl farming tour starts with a boat ride out to the floating farm where you’ll get to see the seeding process that the oysters undergo. This process inserts a tiny irritant into each oyster’s shell by hand. Over time, the irritant is covered by the pearl nacre until the resulting pearl is large enough to be harvested.
Next, you’ll visit the factory in Phuket, where the pearls are taken after harvesting. The pearls are sorted, graded, and expertly fashioned into stunning pieces of pearl jewelry.
The last stop is the showroom of Amorn Phuket Pearl, where visitors can browse among these exquisite pearl jewelry pieces and select some to bring home as unique souvenirs from their visit to Phuket. Choose a comfortable place to stay in Phuket, then book a unique tour of Amorn Phuket Pearl’s floating pearl farm, manufacturing facility and showroom.
