9 of the best hotels in Phuket, Thailand
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Phuket is one of Southeast Asia's most popular destinations.
Off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket is both a province of Thailand and a city within that province. The entire area, however, is popular with visitors who flock there for the beaches and nightlife that the area is so well-known for.
And with the Thai government reopening Phuket to some fully vaccinated travelers just days ago, visitors now have a major Asian destination to add to the growing list of places that they can visit.
But, where do you stay once you get to Phuket? The area is home to a staggering number of resorts, many of them offering stunning locations and five-star amenities at relatively affordable prices.
Let's take a look at the area's best hotels for you to consider if you're thinking about making the trip to Southeast Asia. This is not an exhaustive list, as there is a huge variety of fantastic hotels to choose from, but rather a starting point to use as inspiration for planning your adventure.
JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa
Set right on Phuket's famous Mai Khao beach, the sprawling JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa offers guests a five-star experience with three swimming pools, a full-service spa, a fitness center and more. The resort is in close proximity to popular spots including the islands of Phang Nga Bay, Old Town Phuket and the Royal Phuket Marina. Some of the resort's guest rooms and suites have private plunge pools and all feature views of either the lush gardens or the sea.
This property is a Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy property meaning a complimentary night will cost you 40,000 points on off-peak nights, 50,000 on standard nights and 60,000 on peak nights, and making it eligible (on off-peak or standard nights) for the annual up to 50,000-point night certificates that come as a perk of certain Marriott cobranded credit cards (valid at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; certain hotels have resort fees).
Book the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa.
Keemala, part of Hyatt
If you prefer to stay away from the more crowded beachfront areas in Phuket, look no further than Keemala, part of Hyatt's Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand. The resort features villa-style rooms with private pools at each one. Some of them are set right within the trees of the surrounding jungle, letting guests immerse themselves in an authentic, relaxed and oh-so-luxurious experience in Thailand. Keemala offers access to nearby Patong Beach, as well as it's full-service Mala Spa, a common resort pool and a number of activities including yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and more.
Keemala is rated as a Category 7 World of Hyatt property, meaning a free night will cost you 30,000 points. And, since Hyatt is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, it's easy to come up with the points you need to stay, especially since the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Book Keemala.
Banyan Tree Phuket
The Banyan Tree Phuket resort is located in an exclusive gated community along Bang Tao Beach. The resort's villas all feature private pools and are arranged around a lagoon in the middle of the resort. Golfers will appreciate a nearby course, and those on a romantic vacation will enjoy a dinner cruise around neighboring lagoons. Banyan Tree Phuket features a spa, multiple dining outlets, butler service, private house cars and so much more.
Banyan Tree hotels are part of the Accor Live Limitless program, meaning you can redeem points at a flat rate for hotel stays, at about 2.2 cents each. You don't need to be able to cover your entire stay in points, but rather you have to redeem at least 2,000 points at a time, which will earn you 40 euros off your stay (about $47 at the time of writing).
Book Banyan Tree Phuket.
InterContinental Phuket Resort, an IHG Hotel
Set on pristine Kamala Beach, this InterContinental Phuket Resort is a gem in Thailand. Step into sleek and luxurious guest rooms with lagoon, ocean or mountain views and enjoy the vistas of tropical Thailand all around you. The resort features multiple pools -- one has an infinity edge with stunning views of the Andaman Sea in front of it -- dining outlets, a full spa, fitness center and more.
This InterContinental resort is bookable with IHG points, but rates will depend on when your stay falls. If you're looking to add to your IHG Rewards balance, consider signing up for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn up to $100 in statement credits on purchases at IHG properties during the first 12 months from account opening.
Book the InterContinental Phuket Resort.
The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Phuket
The Naka Island is a private-island retreat off the coast of Phuket. Guests reach the island via a speedboat transfer, and once you arrive, you'll feel like you're away from everything. Rest and relaxation is the top priority of this resort. You can spend your days gazing out into the stunning limestone cliffs in the ocean in front of you, indulge in a treatment (or two or three) at Spa Naka or enjoy a leisurely meal and cocktail at any one of the resort's three restaurants and bars.
This is a Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy property, making it a relative bargain on points. Complimentary nights cost you 40,000 points on off-peak nights, 50,000 on standard nights and 60,000 on peak nights, and making it eligible (on off-peak or standard nights) for the annual up to 50,000-point free-night certificates that come as a perk of certain Marriott cobranded credit cards.
Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa
Most Renaissance hotels don't leave much of an impression, but that's not the at the Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa. Guest rooms are clean and modern and there are even beachfront villas -- some with private plunge pools -- available to book. The resort also boasts several food-and-beverage outlets, a full-service spa, oceanfront outdoor pool and more.
This Renaissance is a Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy property, meaning free nights cost 30,000 points on off-peak nights, 35,000 on standard nights and 40,000 on peak nights, making it eligible (on off-peak or standard nights) for the up to 35,000-point complimentary-night certificates that come as a perk of certain Marriott cobranded credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.
Book the Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa.
Six Senses Yao Noi
Six Senses properties are known to be havens of relaxation and tranquility, and Six Senses Yao Noi in Phuket's Phang Nga Bay is no exception. Take a dip in infinity edge pools overlooking the surreal limestone formations in the bay in front of you or relax in your villa, perched high above the water in the trees and with its own private plunge pool. The resort offers numerous dining and drinking options as well as an entire "spa village" where you can relax and forget the world around you. Finally, the resort offers a range of experiences for guests to participate in through which they can learn more about the special place in which they are.
Six Senses properties are now a part of the IHG family, and you're able to use points to book stays at Yao Noi, though rates will depend on the dates of your stay.
Book Six Senses Yao Noi.
Rosewood Phuket
The Rosewood Phuket is a 71-room ultra-luxurious hideaway on some of the most beautiful stretches of sand on earth. Rosewood properties are known around the world for their exquisite attention to detail and focus on luxury, and this property certainly delivers. The luxury begins before you even arrive with a meet-and-greet service at the airport. Once you arrive, relax in your comfortable bed outfitted with Frette linens and then take a dip in your private villa pool. Elsewhere, reconnect with the world with a treatment at Ayasa, Rosewood's "holistic wellness concept," get a workout in at the fitness center or sit down at one of the resort's restaurants and bars for a bite to eat or a refreshing cocktail.
While Rosewood properties aren't part of a traditional loyalty program, you can book your stay at the Rosewood Phuket through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, available to card members with a Platinum or Centurion-branded card, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Book Rosewood Phuket.
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Part of the ultra-exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve family, Phulay Bay is a sublime resort located in nearby Krabi, close to the world-famous Phi Phi Islands. Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties take Ritz-Carlton luxury to the next level, and you won't be disappointed here. Relax in spacious villa accommodations, enjoy a private beachfront dinner or simply relax by the pool with an unforgettable Andaman seascape in front of you. The resort also has a massive spa complex where you can get a revitalizing Thai massage surrounded by the tropical gardens of Krabi island.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties sadly don't participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program, but you can book your stay to land elite-like perks through American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, available to card members with a Platinum or Centurion-branded card, including The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.