Phuket is well served by luxury hotels and resorts. Finding budget hotels is a challenge – especially in the high season of December and January. Book well in advance for any visit from late November until mid-March.
Banyan Tree Phuket (Luxury)
If you want luxury then this is it. One of Phuket’s most fabled hotels. Villas have private pools and very spacious rooms. The food is fantastic.
Amenities: Wi-fi, Tennis Court, Fitness Center, Golf Course, Spa, Playground, Hot Tub, Library, Outdoor Swimming Pool.
Evason Phuket & Bon Island (Luxury)
Family-friendly luxury at its best. If your kids would like to play on their own private island then this might be their chance.
Amenities: Wi-fi, Tennis Court, Sauna, Fitness Center, Game Room, Spa , Playground, Ping-Pong, Library, BBQ Facilities, Cycling, Diving, Snorkeling, Outdoor Swimming Pool.
Andaman Seaview Hotel in Karon Beach (Luxury)
Friendly staff, children’s pool, and large rooms make this a good choice for a moderate budget.
Amenities: Wi-fi, Sauna, Fitness Center, Spa, Playground, Outdoor Swimming Pool
Holiday Inn Resort Phuket in Patong (Mid-range)
Ultra-family-friendly is this hotel. Kids club, family suites with jungle or pirate themed rooms. Fridges in the room and self-service laundry can help long term travelers save some money.
Amenities: Free internet, Sauna, Fitness Center, Spa , Massage, Hot Tub, Outdoor Swimming Pool.
The Beach Boutique House (Budget/Mid-range)
Phuket has the most expensive accommodations in Thailand so this hotel qualifies as a budget choice for families. It has a pool (actually 3 of them, one of them a kiddie pool), very friendly staff, and clean family-friendly rooms. The big compromise is location. This place is quite a walk from both Kata and Karon beaches but if you don’t mind hopping in a cab once or twice a day then you’ll love it here.
Amenities: Swimming Pools, Kitchenette, Business Center, Wi-fi
Kata Beach Resort & Spa in Kata Beach (Mid-range/Luxury)
Great pool and kid-friendly atmosphere is perfect for families. Great location right on the beach and walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
Amenities: Wi-fi available in the lobby, Sauna, Fitness Center, Spa , Outdoor Swimming Pool
We’re booked at the Holiday Inn Phuket. We’ll be flying from Hong Kong to Bangkok and then trying to get to Phuket. We’ll probably be arriving late on a Friday night (haven’t actually bought the air tickets yet) – would we be best to take a bus or train to Phuket? How long does the bus or train take to Phuket? Can we book tickets before we arrive in Thailand?
Hi Eric. Your best bet would be to fly direct from Hong Kong to Phuket on Air Asia. It will save you the trouble of booking train tickets (yes, they can be booked in advance but it’s a pain from outside the country). And the train only takes you to Surat Thani and then it’s a 4 or 5 hour bus ride from Surat Thani to Phuket. Bus from Bangkok to Phuket is 14 to 16 hours and it’s a long overnight trip.
Hope that helps.
Awesome. Thanks David!
I guess I’d have to miss Bangkok, which I would have liked to see for a few nights. Sounds like it’s worth it though.
Cheers.
What I’d do is fly Hong Kong to Phuket to start your trip. Then book your Phuket to Bangkok train & bus ticket. You only need a few days advanced booking for the train – a week at the most. Then fly Bangkok to Hong Kong (or where ever you’re heading).
Brilliant! Thanks again.
These hotels are very expensive! $500+ a night? I’m researching a trip with our kids and there’s no way we could afford to do it at those prices. How about some family friendly $100 a night places?
Otherwise, love the helpful articles on what to see.
Hi TT. I completely agree. I just added another mid-range choice above. Phuket is very expensive so it’s hard to find places that are both family-friendly (in a vacation sense) and in the budget price bracket. You’d also be surprised how many emails I get saying the exact opposite: “We’re looking for a great kid-friendly hotel and you only mention 3 star hotels.” I guess a good mix would be better.
If you’re flexible and just want to look for the best deals then use HotelsCombined.com/Phuket. It’s the best website by far for finding good discounts on a wide range of hotels.
Thanks for your input.
Cheers.
Hi David,
About to head to Phuket for a friend’s wedding. We will be bringing our 11 month old along. When you travel around in cabs, what is the law for car seats? I’m assuming there isn’t one and you just lap your kid. Is this correct?
Also, we are coming from Los Angeles. That is a LONG trip. Should we break it up or just try to get there as fast as possible?
You’re right no seat belt laws at all – or at least not enforced. If you want to use a car seat you’re best to bring one. And then hunt around for taxis with rear seat belts that work.
Breaking the trip up in Bangkok is what I like to do. But you do end up wasting a day. Not sure how you’re getting from Bangkok to Phuket but if it’s with a budget airline that leaves from Don Muang airport then you’ll need to transfer from the international airport which is an hour or so in a taxi – in which case you might as well stopover.
The international airport has a great hotel that is walking distance from arrivals: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport. Makes an easy way to get some sleep and take a break (it even has a swimming pool) without wasting time going in and out of the city.
Good luck.