Where to stay in Phuket: Best areas and locations for Malaysians

Phuket in Thailand is an ideal destination for a quick beach break, or a longer stay to really explore the full range of options available there. Much of Phuket has a very developed tourist infrastructure, but there are plenty of local experiences to get involved in too - the key is to pick the best area to stay in Phuket, depending on what your itinerary entails.

We’ll cover where to stay in Phuket for first timers, where to stay in Phuket with family and where to stay in Phuket for couples, so you’ve got a range of options to consider depending on your needs. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way for you to save while spending abroad.

What types of accommodation are there in Phuket?

Phuket offers a very wide range of accommodation options, from hotels and hostels, to villas and apartments, and specialist places aimed at long term stays. Because Phuket has a mix of towns, beaches and more secluded areas you’ll be able to shop around to find the accommodation and the location that suits your party perfectly.

A good way to learn more about the accommodation on offer in Phuket is to browse a service like Booking.com¹ or AirBnB². AirBnB alone has over 700 properties listed in Phuket, including villas, flats, beachside locations, and rooms which offer dedicated workspaces if you’re a digital nomad. Once you have some ideas, keep reading to get inspiration of which area to stay in Phuket based on your specific plans.

Is Airbnb legal in Thailand?

Yes. AirBnB is legal in Thailand, with certain provisions³. Some hosts must get a hotel license to market their property on AinBnB for example, and there are strict building standards for accommodation providers.

If you're using AirBnB in Phuket, pick a host who has been in business for a while and who has a good number of listed customer reviews. This can offer reassurance that you’re using a proactive and legit service for your stay there.

Where to stay in Phuket for first timers?

Let’s start in the natural place: Where to stay in Phuket if you’ve never been before.

Phuket is generally a beach destination, with most tourists flocking in for the pristine sands and opportunities to swim, surf, snorkel and dive. This guide mainly looks at beach locations - each has its own unique atmosphere after all - but if you’re heading out for the first time, you may also want to check out Phuket Town for a flavour of local life. Let’s check out a couple of top options for your first visit to Phuket.

Karon Beach

Karon Beach is a long and popular stretch, close enough to the famous Patong Beach to have nightlife and a great buzz, but without being too full on. While Patong leaves little space to get away from the throng, Karon is a good alternative with a bit more peace and easy access to the bars and clubs of Paton’s Bangla Road if you want a high energy night out.

Generally, Karon is a good all round option, with things to do for singles, couples, families and first time visitors. As a popular location there’s good infrastructure and you can easily get out and about to other parts of the island if you want to explore something different, too.

Phuket Old Town

Phuket Old Town has beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture and some interesting museums, shrines and temples. There’s a Sunday night market for both food and tourist goods, and lots of nice places to eat and drink.

If you’re new to Thailand as a whole, spend a day or two here just to eat your way round the town - plus it’s a handy base for planning tours and transport throughout the island with many agents on hand to help, in hotels and in standalone travel offices. Some hotels are in heritage buildings to give you a real flavour of what life used to be like in colonial times.

Where to stay in Phuket with family?

A lot of Phuket beaches have a reputation for exuberant nightlife - which probably won’t be your ideal pick if you’re heading to Phuket with kids. Phuket Old Town is worth a stop if you’re looking to explore some local heritage - and if you want a quieter beach option, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you here.

Make the most of your family trip to Thailand with a Wise card. You’ll get the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees for currency conversion, and can spend and withdraw as you go to avoid wasting time at a money changer every few days.

Kata Beach

Kata Beach, slightly south of Karon Beach which we looked at earlier, can be a good family pick if you’re travelling with little ones up to teens, with options for snorkelling and diving, as well as surfing for much of the year.

The crowd here is pretty mixed, which means you can find mid-range food and accommodation, and there are lots of beachside activities like jet skis and paragliding for everyone to join in with. It can be a relatively popular place in high season but the beach is long so it doesn’t typically feel crowded.

Nai Harn Beach

If you want a quieter family stay, Nai Harn may suit you. Towards the south of Phuket, it’s a working fishing area, so while the beach is pretty, it’s not necessarily the best place to swim. However, there are some nice hotels, including high end options with excellent pool facilities, and the fact it’s a working beach means you can watch the long tail boats as they come in and out, promenade along the shore, visit the market and eat all the fresh sea food you like.

Where to stay in Phuket for couples?

As a couple you may decide to check out any of the places we’ve listed so far - but if you’re looking for a romantic getaway with some quiet, quirky or luxury options, we’ve also got a couple of additional suggestions to help you plan. Let’s take a closer look at some different ideas of the best place to stay in Phuket for couples.

Rawai Beach

Rawai Beach is in the south east of Phuket, and while it’s a quieter area it’s a good base for island hopping and day trips, with plenty of local activities as well as some luxury hotel options. One of the main benefits of Rawai is that you’ll get away from the typical crowds, and can eat out at many beachside restaurants in peace.

Surin Beach

If you’re thinking more of an exclusive getaway with your loved one, Surin Beach is a good choice. It’s packed with high end and exclusive hotels and boutique shopping, with a quiet beach and a cosmopolitan crowd. You’ll find a white sand beach and places to eat right on the beach when you want a break from your resort, with some lovely places to watch the sunset with a drink in hand.

It’s not a budget pick, but for a special occasion, this can offer just the right balance of things to do, and places to relax as a couple.

Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card

Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in THB with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.

You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.

Choose to convert your MYR to THB in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.

Phuket has everything from crowded beaches where the party doesn’t stop, through to coastal hideaways which offer a more relaxed vibe. Add in the cultural sights and some great family activities, and there’s lots for any visitor to enjoy.Don’t forget to take a look at Wise and the Wise card for a great low-cost way to spend while you’re away from home.

🚀 Get started with Wise

1. Booking.com
2. AirBnB Phuket
3. AirBnB Help