Phuket’s best resorts and hotels for luxury by the beach and beyond

Best Phuket resort forThe White Lotus level luxury

Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas

The third season of The White Lotus continued its winning combination of miserably privileged people and beautiful locales, which has also led to the “White Lotus effect” (a surge in travel bookings). The HBO show’s first season, set within the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, saw a boom in bookings. Sicily and its stunning San Domenico Palace at Taormina, another Four Seasons property, experienced a 300 per cent increase in demand following the second season.

While the fourth season of the HBO series mainly showcased the Four Seasons at Kho Samui, the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas were also featured in several scenes. It’s no wonder, given its location and aesthetic – a collection of private luxury, southern Thai-style villas on the northern tip of Phuket Island, clustered around a lagoon and just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

With its emphasis on wellness, leisure and amenities, it promises an elevated stay for couples, families and solo travellers looking to escape the crowds further south in Patong. And if you want to explore more of the island, check out Anantara Mai Khao’s sister resorts in Phuket: Anantara Kho Yao Yai and Anantara Layan.

Address: 888 Moo 3 , Tumbon Mai Khao, Amphur Thalang, Phuket 83110

Best Phuket resort for couples

Amanpuri

Aman Resorts might be renowned for luxury now, but back in 1988, its first hotel, Amanpuri in Phuket, was a gamble. Owner Adrian Zecha was opening a hotel with considerably higher rates than its competition – in many ways he was betting on Phuket as a tourist destination itself. That gamble paid off handsomely – Aman continues to go from strength to strength, and Amanpuri is still a benchmark for Phuket luxury accommodation.

Situated on its own peninsula, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, Amanpuri is one of legendary architect Ed Tuttle’s most celebrated designs, and it’s easy to see why. It is a stunning resort of temple-like pavilions, where the indoors and outdoors seamlessly intermingle, and traditional southern Thai visual motifs are refracted through a contemporary lens.

As is customary with Aman Resorts, a stay here certainly comes at a higher price point, but you absolutely get what you pay for. That means a peerless spa, a glut of cuisine-spanning bars and restaurants, and a range of bespoke experiences and activities. It’s all, of course, anchored by exceptional rooms – from private villas with pools and personal chefs, to secluded pavilions.

Address: Pansea Beach, Cherngtalay, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Best Phuket resort for families

Banyan Tree Phuket

Beyond just having a kids club, a good resort for families is about convenience and ease. Banyan Tree Phuket’s sheer volume of things to do within the resort is what makes it such a good choice for families. The location itself is beautiful – this traditional southern Thai-styled resort is well situated between Bang Tao Beach and a series of coastal lagoons, on an 89-acre property.

It makes the most of that footprint to offer an 18-hole golf course, a series of tennis courts, a wellness centre, a spa, as well as an abundance of lagoon-based activities such as kayaking. Then there’s the all-important Terra Kids Club, open from 9am-6pm every day, with indoor and outdoor areas for hours of entertainment.

Guests also have a choice of seven restaurants, offering a wide variety of cuisines. There’s a range of villas to choose from, but it’s hard to go wrong here.

Address: 3 Srisunthorn 33/27 Cherngthalay Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110

Best Phuket resort on the beach

The Nai Harn

With a stunning beachside location that hints at this luxury resort’s history (it as once the Royal Phuket Yacht Club), the Nai Harn was the island’s first true luxury resort when it opened in 1986. It hasn’t missed a step since then – this is still one of the finest resorts you’ll find anywhere on Phuket.

The postcard-perfect view over Nai Harn Bay, and the inviting sandy beach you can walk to, is complemented by thoughtfully designed buildings and villas (notably renovated in 2016 by Habita Architects), with a colour palette that gives almost Mediterranean vibes. Then there’s the glimmering pool, thoughtfully designed spa and wellness menus and impressive drinking and dining choices (with a particularly honourable mention to Reflections, the glimmering rooftop bar).

The Nai Harn is also an excellent option for those hoping for a more conventional hotel room set-up, rather than the whole-villa-style arrangement that’s popular in Phuket. And everything is delivered with the impeccable service of a five-star hotel or resort.

Address: 23/3 Moo 1, Vises Road, Rawai, Muang District, Phuket 83130 Thailand

Best Phuket resort for food lovers

Trisara

A hotel’s dining options are, of course, of utmost importance to us here at Gourmet Traveller. As exhilarating as it is to dine locally, an excellent hotel simply must have an excellent restaurant. Trisara Resort meets – and exceeds – that brief. Its restaurant, Pru, was the first restaurant in Phuket to earn a Michelin star, and it still retains it – holding the distinction of being the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Phuket. In addition to Pru, Trisara’s other diners are no slouch: Cielo, Jampa, Seafood at Trisara and Dala Bistro and Bar are all sublime.

But it’s not all about the food here – whether your idea of the perfect holiday is to burn through books by the pool or you’re after some spa pampering, everything you’d expect from a top-tier resort is on offer, executed to an exacting standard.

Activities range from water sports to private cooking classes (and for parents, there is also a kids club). One highlight is the Trisara Cruise line-up, which includes a half-day excursion to the iconic Phang Nga Bay (made famous by James Bond).

Address: 60 Cherngtalay 1 Srisoonthorn Road Tambon Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110

Best Phuket resort with private pools

Keemala Hotel Phuket

Let’s get one thing straight – it’s nearly impossible to take a bad photo in Phuket. You’d have to be trying pretty hard for any photo you take of your hotel not to be grid-worthy. Having said that, if you want a guaranteed winner of a post, a photo of Keemala’s bird’s nest villas is as close to a cheat code as you can get.

Keemala is a lush resort on the western coast of Phuket, midway between the jungle and the cool vibes of Kamala Beach (with a complimentary shuttle to take you there). Appropriately, there’s a large focus on wellness and clean eating here (you can even book a holistic retreat), and those seeking to deepen their appreciation of the Thai philosophy and cultural outlook will appreciate Keemala’s emphasis on it.

Although those distinctive bird’s nest-shaped private pool villas are a visual highlight – the other villas, from the one-bedroom tent pool villas to the Avatar-esque tree houses, are all well worthwhile, too.

Address: 10 88 Nakasud Rd Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150

Best Phuket resort for new-school cool

COMO Point Yamu

Although Phuket is known more for it’s beaches than the temples and cultural status that draw some travellers towards Chiang Mai, the overall aesthetic is still, by and large, traditionally Thai – surrounded by the Andaman sea.

While that may be a large part of the island’s appeal for some, the more cosmopolitan, design-driven traveller will want to stay at COMO Point Yamu. This striking property at the tip of Cape Yamu, with a panoramic outlook over the beautiful Phang Nga Bay, boasts a design from esteemed Italian architect Paola Navone. Choose from a variety of rooms, suites and private pool villas, which can accommodate a vast array of family and group sizes.

Dining includes the Italian La Sirena and traditional southern Thai cuisine at Nahmyaa. For light snacks and all-day cocktails, there’s the poolside Aqua Bar. Holistic wellness is a large part of COMO Point Yamu’s appeal, with a menu ranging from massages, and yoga lessons to workshops led by resident life coaches. The resort also makes the most of its proximity to Phuket’s old town with a variety of experiences on offer, from cooking classes to hiking to cultural tours. Parents can also make the most of Play By COMO: a children’s paradise for little ones aged four to 12.

Address: 225 Pakhlok, Thalang District, Phuket 83110

Best Phuket resort for magical sunsets

V Villas Phuket

Poised 39 metres above sea level to offer panoramic views, V Villas instantly made its mark on the local scene when it opened in 2021. Fans of the MGallery brand of hotels will find plenty to like about this boutique resort which has just 26 villas. This picturesque pool resort sits atop a hill that looks out over Ao Yon Bay – and it might just boast one of the best sunsets in all of Phuket — particularly if you’re watching it while you sip away at a cocktail at Akoya Bar, the main building’s buzzy rooftop. (But if you’d prefer to take it in from your private infinity pool, we wouldn’t blame you.)

Although the sea-view villas are obviously hot property, you shouldn’t overlook the hill-view villas – they offer a verdant escape, and you can still get your water-view fix from Akoya. Villas range from one-bedroom stays to the four-bedroom presidential villa. Each villa has a personal butler assigned to it, who’ll cater to your every whim. Whether it’s an afternoon tea or a whisky night, there’s also always an interesting event going down at Yon Ocean House, the resort’s central restaurant.

Address: Vichit, Moo 8 Ao, Soi Ruam Jai Ao Yon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

Best resort for wellness experiences

Six Senses Yao Noi

Serene and secluded, Six Senses Yao Noi is actually on one of the Thailand’s more secluded and untouched islands between Phuket and Krabi. But its offering and proximity – a 45-minute speedboat ride from Phuket – earned it a spot on our list. And once you arrive, you’ll instantly be in bliss. Every one of the 50 private villas has its own pool and terrace with views across the jungle to the ocean, perfect for sunset cocktails.

Like all Six Senses stays, this luxury resort has an unwavering commitment to sustainability, with waste management and water conservation prioritised, as well as tangible support for the local community, including donations to schools and hospitals. The property has four restaurants and the option of in-room dining. The six-course Chef’s Table experience here is a must.

Address: 56, Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao District, Phang Nga 82160, Thailand

Best Phuket resort for adventurers

Rosewood Phuket

Nestled into the landscape of Emerald Bay, with jungle on one side and exquisite oceanfront vistas on the other, Rosewood can feel a world away from the tourist crowds Phuket is often associated with. Yet this luxury resort is only 3km from the buzzy vibes of Patong and around 18km from Old Phuket Town – a location that’s ideal for those wanting to explore and soak up different experiences in Thailand, knowing they can retreat in peace at the end of the day.

Rosewood also has a selection of curated tours and experiences, including seasonal farm-to-table excursions, cooking and cocktail classes and Muay Thai, yoga and more. For families, there are kids’ pool areas and a whole program of activities for all ages. With three restaurants, 24-hour room service and spa and wellness treatments, we also think Rosewood delivers for those seeking five-star R&R.

Address: 88/28, 30-33, 88 Muen-Ngern Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, 83150, Thailand