Kata Beach is one of the most popular choices for where to stay in Phuket for good reason. The long sweep of golden sand is backed by palm trees, restaurants, cafés, and a good range of hotels and resorts, giving the area plenty of atmosphere without feeling quite as hectic as areas like Patong.

Kata is a particularly good choice for families and couples who want a classic Phuket beach holiday with plenty to do, but without being surrounded by nightlife.

The beach itself is the main attraction, but there are also plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Kata Noi, a smaller and quieter beach just to the south, is also close by, while Karon Viewpoint offers wonderful views across Kata Noi, Kata and Karon bays.

Best for: Couples, families, first-time visitors and classic beach holidays.

Karon Beach is another excellent option for where to stay in Phuket if you’re looking for a beautiful beach and plenty of facilities. The beach is long and spacious, so even when Phuket is busy, it doesn’t necessarily feel as crowded as some of the smaller bays.

Karon has a slightly more laid-back feel than Patong but still has a good selection of restaurants, shops and bars. It’s also well placed for exploring other parts of the island, with Kata to the south and Patong to the north.

For families, Karon can be a particularly convenient base, while couples will still find plenty of quieter restaurants and bars away from the busiest areas.

Best for: Families, couples, and anyone looking for a relaxed beach resort.

Cape Panwa feels a world away from the busier west coast beaches in Phuket. Located on a peninsula on the southeast coast of the island, this is an area of Phuket to consider if you’d rather spend your holiday at your resort than surrounded by people and nightlife.

The coastline here is quieter and more secluded, with beautiful views across the Andaman Sea and towards the islands offshore. There are several high-end resorts in the area, making Cape Panwa a good choice for where to stay in Phuket for couples and anyone looking for a more peaceful stay.

It’s also a useful base for exploring Phuket Town and the southeast of the island, although you’ll generally want to use taxis or private transfers rather than walking between attractions.

Best for: Couples, luxury holidays and peaceful escapes.

Patong is Phuket’s most famous resort area and is the place to stay if you want to be in the middle of the action.

Patong Beach stretches along a wide bay, while behind it you’ll find an enormous choice of restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment and nightlife. The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes Patong as being almost like a small town in its own right, with extensive accommodation, restaurants, shopping, and other facilities.

It’s not where you should stay in Phuket if you’re looking for a quiet location, but that’s exactly why so many people love it! You can spend the day on the beach, head out for dinner and then continue into the evening without needing to travel far.

Patong is also a good option if you want lots of choice when it comes to restaurants and activities.

Best for: Nightlife, younger travellers, and those who want to be close to everything.

Kamala Beach offers a nice middle ground between the energy of Patong and the quieter resorts further north.

The beach is backed by a relaxed village atmosphere, with restaurants, cafés, and small bars close to the sand. It’s easy enough to visit Patong for an evening if you want more nightlife, but you can return to Kamala for a quieter night’s sleep!

There’s also a good selection of resorts around Kamala, making it popular with couples and families.

If you like the idea of being relatively close to the action but not staying in the heart of it, then Kamala is a good choice for where to stay in Phuket.

Best for: Couples, families, and travellers wanting a quieter alternative to Patong.

Bang Tao Beach is one of Phuket’s longest beaches and has become particularly popular with travellers looking for a more upmarket holiday.

The area has a good mix of luxury resorts, stylish restaurants, beach clubs and cafés, particularly around the southern end of the beach and neighbouring Cherng Talay. There’s also plenty of space on the beach itself, making it easier to find a quieter spot away from the busier resort areas.

Bang Tao works particularly well for couples and families who want a good choice of restaurants and high-quality accommodation without staying in Patong.

It’s also one of the better choices if you’re looking for a more modern side of Phuket.

Best for: Couples, families, foodies, and luxury holidays.

Laguna Phuket sits within the Bang Tao area and is one of Phuket’s best-known resort developments. It’s a particularly convenient option for families and those who want plenty of facilities on their doorstep.

Laguna is home to several large resorts, restaurants, pools, leisure activities and a golf course, while Bang Tao Beach is right alongside the development. The result is a self-contained holiday environment where you can spend several days without needing to travel too far.

It can also work particularly well for families looking for a resort holiday, as well as couples wanting a choice of restaurants and facilities.

Best for: Families, couples, golfers and resort holidays.

Nai Yang is one of the best areas to stay in Phuket if you want somewhere quieter and close to the airport.

Situated on the northwest coast, Nai Yang has a much more relaxed feel than the major resorts further south. The beach is backed by trees and is part of the Sirinat National Park area. It also boasts a pine-lined beach, excellent swimming and marine life, including sea turtles that nest in the wider area.

Its proximity to Phuket International Airport makes Nai Yang particularly handy for a short stay at the beginning or end of a holiday. But it’s not just an overnight stop; the peaceful atmosphere makes it a great choice for where to stay in Phuket for anyone looking to escape the busier parts of the island.

Best for: Couples, families, short stays and quieter beach holidays.

Mai Khao is one of the quietest beach areas on Phuket’s west coast. It’s a long stretch of sand in the islands north, with large resorts set amongst natural surroundings.

This is very different from staying in Patong or Kata! There are fewer shops, restaurants and bars, and the pace is noticeably slower.

Mai Khao is particularly suited to travellers looking for a more relaxing resort holiday, especially if you’re happy spending most of your time by the pool or on the beach. Its location near the airport is another bonus, although the area feels far removed from the bustle of the airport itself.

Best for: Luxury resorts, couples, families and peaceful holidays.

Of course, there isn’t one answer that works for everyone! Phuket is a large island with very different resort areas, so choosing the right base can make a big difference to your holiday.

For a classic beach holiday, look at Kata or Karon. If you want nightlife and plenty of entertainment, Patong is the obvious choice. Kamala offers a quieter alternative while still being close to the action.

For luxury holidays, Bang Tao, Laguna Phuket, Cape Panwa or Mai Khao are worth considering, while Nai Yang is ideal if you want a quieter beach and easy access to the airport.

Whichever area you choose, Phuket makes a great base for exploring Thailand’s Andaman coast, with opportunities for island hopping, snorkelling, diving, boat trips and exploring Phuket’s historic Old Town.

If you’re planning on a multi centre Thailand trip, Phuket also works particularly well with Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khao Sok National Park, or one of Thailand’s other beach destinations, allowing you to combine culture and sightseeing with some time on the coast.