How to Choose the Right Hotel to Stay in Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand, is one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, so there's no shortage of great hotels. But how do you know which one is right for you? Star ratings and beach proximity often don't tell the whole picture, so here's a complete guide to help you find the best hotel to stay in Phuket based on your unique needs.
Start by Picking the Area
Phuket is a fairly small island, with beach resorts spread along the West coast and Phuket Town inland to the East. However, despite how close all the main destinations look on the map, winding roads and traffic can make journeys take quite a long time. So, it's best to pick a hotel near the things you want to do.
Patong, Karon and Kata are popular beach resorts with good infrastructure and close proximity to some of the island's top attractions, like the Big Buddha.
Favour Reviews Over Star Ratings
You can find many accommodations advertising themselves as luxury hotels in Phuket, and while there certainly are some truly luxurious options, not all of them will be up to the same standards. Reviews are often more revealing than star ratings, so if you're looking for a high-end experience, look for hotels that are frequently praised for their staff, food, bedding, cleanliness and noise levels. You can even find some great bargains this way.
See What Other Travellers Like You Think
From reviews, it can be difficult to tell whether the person writing is a similar type of traveller to you, or if they're someone from the same culture who might share similar needs. One trick you could try to see what others like you think is to search in your own language, if it's not English. Many large hotels have alternative webpages written in different languages that emphasise different information.
For example, if you search افضل فندق في بوكيت in Arabic instead of "best hotel in Phuket", you'll usually see different results on Google, based on what each audience prefers.
Use Maps and Street View
In their marketing materials, many hotels play up their proximity to beaches and attractions. A secluded Phuket resort with pool access might claim to be "near everything," but the reality when you arrive is that you'll be taking taxis every time you want to go anywhere. Always verify claims by looking at the hotel on Google Street View, so you can see how close things really are.
Choose Hotels that Host Tours and Excursions
From Phuket Old Town to temples and markets, tours and excursions that leave right from your doorstep are some of the best ways to see the island's attractions. Even if you don't end up booking any, it can be worth booking hotels that offer them so that you'll always have the option.
Conclusion
Finding good hotels in Phuket, Thailand, isn't hard to do with a little bit of work. It's just important to remember that the best resorts in Phuket aren't necessarily the ones with the most stars, but the ones that best suit your individual needs.
