Top 10 Hotels in Phuket (2015)

LATEST UPDATE - a new list is online now - see Top 10 Phuket Hotels 2023.






This Top 10 Phuket Hotels list has been based on TripAdvisor rankings as they were in early 2015. I know these rankings change daily and I have my suspicions about TripAdvisor. Are all the reviews really real? But some of these hotels have thousands of reviews, so things should average out nicely. There are again a couple of new hotels in the list, but quite a few of the top 10 are similar to 2014. For each hotel there are links for checking online rates and availability - I suggest using Agoda.com to book your hotel in Phuket. There are also links to hotel reviews - also mostly from Agoda where possible. Hotels get average scores out of 10 on Agoda so you can easily compare, but Agoda does not have any ranking lists, so the top 10 here has to be based on TripAdvisor.

Top 10 Phuket Hotels

1. Trisara Resort Villas

Trisara was also top last year, and if I have the money it would be my choice! Trisara offers private pool villas on a private beach just north of Bang Tao beach in the north of Phuket. Trisara is a "secluded, luxury, amazing views, forget-your-worries" style hotels. Only about 50 villas, lots of space, no crowds. Villas from 2 - 6 bedrooms, so can be ideal for families or big groups, or weddings. Or just for a relaxing trip for a couple. And yes, it's miles from any busy areas, so don't complain that you have to get taxis everywhere :)

• Trisara - Reviews and Booking

2. Kata Rocks (Kata Beach)

Kata Rocks only opened a few months ago, although there was a "soft opening" .. so how does it end up at No.2 on the list? Only about 40 reviews so far, yes they are all good, but ... will Kata Rocks still be at the top of the list in a year or two. Now, one thing is for sure, I have noticed Kata Rocks is very good at social media, plus I know people who have been for events and drinks and people say it's great. Villas with maybe the best seaview in Kata. It is promoted as a SIX star resort. Well, if I am to be convinced, Kata Rocks please do invite me for dinner and a week's stay!

• Kata Rocks Reviews and Booking at Agoda.com

3. BYD Lofts (Patong Beach)

Was in 2nd place last year, so very consistent - BYD Lofts offers serviced apartments, with a "view over beautiful Patong" rooftop pool, near the center of the Patong Beach area. There are one or two bedroom apartments of various sizes. The right place to stay if you want to be near the center of all the action (that's Patong for you) but need a quiet(ish) place to sleep. I tend to avoid Patong, it's not my cup of tea, but for sure Patong beach is convenient for tourists, with a shed load of restaurants plus shops and tour agents near you. And bars and nightlife.

• BYD Lofts - Reviews and Booking

4. Point Yamu Resort (Cape Yamu)

Another fairly new resort (opened early 2014). And an amazing location, if you don't mind being miles from anywhere! I remember a few years ago when Cape Yamu started being developed. It looked awful. A beautiful natural area, covered in a building site. Yeh, of course now it looks amazing and I'd give my right arm to stay a night here - it's not cheap! My right arm might not be enough. Cape Yamu is on the east coast, great views. There are 79 rooms and 27 private villas, Italian designed, looks like a dream.

• Point Yamu Resort - Reviews and Booking

5. The Shore at Katathani (Kata Noi Beach)

Katathani has been around for many years on Kata Noi beach. The Shore is their more recent luxury "pool villa" development, opened in 2010. And it sure looks good! Pool villas, some with seaview (note: the view does vary from villa to villa), all with private pools. As I said, this "private villa" thing seems to be the trend in the last few years. A great hotel for couples. I see lots of honeymoon reviews.

• The Shore at Katathani - Reviews and Booking

6. Andara Resort and Villas (Kamala Beach)

A 5 star resort, on the hillside near Kamala Beach with luxury villas. It was rated number 1 on my top 10 family hotel list, providing relaxation in comfort for the whole family, and since it's individual villas with private pools, will suit couples as well as families. I'd happily stay here, thanks! Well, I'd happily stay at any hotel on this list, but I don't take freebies, don't work for a big web hotel booking company and don't have the cash! Andara resort is not right on the beach - it's in the hills. Many of the villas have superb sea views. I can see that there really is a trend of non-beachfront luxury these days ... Maybe the beach areas, certainly the main beaches, are too full .. if you want luxury and seclusion, it's there, but not necessarily by the beach.

• Andara Resort & Villas - Reviews and Booking

7. The Chava Resort (Surin Beach)

The Chava has jumped into this top 10 list. There's always something in the list at Surin Beach! Chava is actually a collection of 2 - 5 room apartments, some are run by the hotel, some privately rented. Rooms are huge, not normal hotel size, good for families and small groups. Again, it's a place with views, slightly up in the hills, but still only a few minutes from the beach

• Chava Resort - Online Booking

8. The Baray Villa by Sawasdee Village (Kata Beach)

The Baray Villa has just 14 luxury villas, which are run by the Sawasdee Village Resort (one of the older resorts in Phuket), and yet are separate from the resort. Villas are 2 floor with huge rooms, jacuzzi, direct pool access, set in tropical gardens, with a spa available. Reviews make the villas sound fantastic! It was number 1 in 2012. Been around a long time, and still a good one!

• The Baray Villa - Reviews and Booking

9. Anantara Phuket Villas (Mai Khao Beach)

Mai Khao Beach is still one of Phuket's quiet places and I think it will stay quiet because beachfront land is just too expensive now! Mai Khao about 10km long with maybe 10 resorts plus a few small bungalow operations. Anantara was on my Romantic Hotels list, a lovely getaway, if you can afford it. Worth renting a car if you plan to stay at a more remote hotel, cheaper in the long run than taxis and gives you freedom to explore, although I imagine people staying at Anantara will do a lot of relaxing, not much exploring!

• Anantara Villas - Reviews and Booking

10. Amari Phuket (Patong Beach)

The Amari Resort has been around for a long time, one of the first big resorts in Phuket about 25 years ago. It has a superb location right at the south end of Patong Beach away from the crowds, very nice place to relax but you can walk to the busy center of Patong in 10-15 minutes. When a hotel has been around this long and makes the top 10, I think you can say it's a quality place!

• Amari Phuket Resort - Reviews and Booking

OK, that's the Top 10 best hotels in Phuket as of early 2015. It'll be different next week, but this top 10 is what I'm putting online! Have you stayed at a hotel that's not listed, but you think it should be? Phuket has a huge mix of old and new resorts, big hotels and small guesthouses, villas for rent, hillside, beachfront, busy areas, quiet areas... There's something here for everyone, but doing your research does pay off especially with regards to location. There is a trend in recent years for new luxury resorts in more remote areas and for sea view hillside (not on the beach) villas. Land prices and rents are so high these days in Phuket, it's hard financially to open a small hotel or guesthouse, and those that do open will be on back streets. Phuket is slowly heading upmarket. Older tourist areas like Soi Bangla in Patong are being redeveloped. Out with the bars, in with aircon shopping centers and new resorts. And dotted around the coast, many new 5 (and 6!) star resorts have opened in the last 10 years.

Hotel booking ... I recommend you check agoda.com for booking - I use this myself for holidays. On the subject of reviews, by all means read them, but do think also about the hotel features and what suits you - location, resort size, room style, price(!), good for couples, or kids, close to airport or nightlife etc ... one person's heaven may be another person's holiday nightmare! Some like it quiet and secluded, others want action. Some want great views, some need beachfront.... See you in Phuket!