Phuket
Located in the sparkling Andaman Sea, Phuket offers the finest stretches beaches in in Thailand.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and most popular beach destination. Phuket is privileged to have numerous beach resorts, offering various types of holiday experience and differing standards of accommodation. It caters to all tastes, every budget, and promises to deliver a smile-filled holiday in the exotic surrounds of this stunning Thai island.
It can be luxurious and secluded, vivacious and untamed, or somewhere in the middle; your niche is here, you will find it. Choose from the more lively areas of Patong for good nightlife and bustling night markets, to the exclusive Bang Tao Bay, where luxury abounds, or the restful Pansea Bay with its crystal clear waters.
As a sightseeing experience Phuket is captivating, but if wanting to explore a little further Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands, many of which can be visited in an hour or two.
The best way to do this is by hiring a long-tail boat or by chartering an island hopping tour. Go and discover your own little gay paradise; it won’t take you long to find a beautiful, white sandy beach for you to spend the day on. There are also some fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities around these islands.
Most hotels are only available for a 2-night minimum and * indicates a preferred partner.
Getting there
There are more than 50 flights a day departing from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport and Don Mueang International (DMK) Airport, with low cost carriers such as Nok Air and AirAsia operating out of Don Muang Airport.
Full service airlines including Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways flying out from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Journey is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Hotels in Phuket
*Amari Resort Phuket
The Amari Phuket slowly meanders downhill to a beachside swimming pool, with almost every corner offering stunning panoramic views out across Patong Bay.
Renowned for its service, you’ll be greeted by smiles everywhere you go. A lift will take you down to the small, secluded coral beach if you prefer to take it easy. Here, you can snorkel or swim at high tide, while low tide brings the perfect opportunity to explore the reef and rock pools of the shore.
If you want to experience life beyond the hotel walls, hop aboard the shuttle bus and travel to Kata Beach. For something a little livelier, the vibrant nightlife of Patong is close enough to enjoy a taste, but far enough away to ensure that the tranquil ambience of the hotel remains blissfully intact.
When you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the beautiful local beaches and intriguing culture, head to one of the hotel’s delightful restaurants.
Enjoy the cool sea breeze as you pull up a chair at the casual yet elegant Rim Talay Restaurant, which serves up a range of both buffet and à la carte international cuisine to the backdrop of Patong Beach.
La Gritta presents an entirely different, more sophisticated feel, featuring delicious fresh Italian cuisine on its menu. The Jetty is the perfect spot for a romantic candlelit dinner. Sat out over the water, you can enjoy a selection of tapas during this unique dining experience beneath a canopy of stars.
The rooms here range from the comfortable Superior Ocean Facing Rooms to the elegant Two Bedroom Ocean Facing Suites.
Cape Panwa
Surrounded by tropical vegetation on a steep hillside above a long stretch of sand in Phuket, it comes as no surprise that Cape Panwa Hotel is a long-standing favourite.
It’s great for those who want more from their holiday than just relaxing on the sand and listening to the gentle sound of the sea, with plenty of activities on offer to fill up your days.
Here, you’ll find two pools and a range of water sports, or you can retreat to the Cape Spa and allow yourself to be pampered in the peaceful surrounds. If you’re more of an explorer, cruise to nearby Coral Island and experience new landscapes in this idyllic part of Phuket.
Dining options here are plentiful, with five restaurants and five bars shared between Cape Panwa Hotel and Kantary Bay Phuket to choose from.
There’s Café Andaman, the main open-air restaurant; Panwa House, which serves up authentic Thai delicacies; and Top of the Reef (at Kantary Bay) for those seeking a more elegant dining experience. Uncle Nan’s (at Kantary Bay) has a delicious Italian menu to choose from, while Laem Panwa Restaurant (at Kantary Bay) features tasty fresh seafood every day.
For the ultimate dining experience, opt for a candlelit beach dinner under the stars. You’ll also find a number of bars here, including the new bamboo bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or two.
Rooms have a full or partial sea view and Superior Rooms are simple yet comfortable. For a little more space, opt for a Junior Suite or a larger Family Suite complete with two bedrooms and an outdoor whirlpool on the balcony. The indulgent Private Pool Villas are close to the beach and have their own pool, while the charming Cape Suites feature an outdoor whirlpool.