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If you're planning a trip to Phuket, you are almost certainly going to need a place to stay unless you already bought a house or have friends living here. Phuket has a huge variety of accommodation available from backpackers dorms to 5 star (6 star?) luxury resorts. You'll find a growing page of recommended Phuket hotels on the blog already, and I try to add another hotel every month or so. The hotels on the recommendation page are ones I like because of their location, or because they've been recommended to me by others, or because they offer something different. But what are the BEST hotels in Phuket?
The following Top 10 list is based on the Phuket hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.com in 2008 - one of the biggest travel sites online, with reviews, forums, advice (and advertising, which is how they make their money). For each hotel below there are links for online reservations/rates and availability - I recommend Agoda.com if you want to book a hotel in Phuket. The review links below are also from Agoda.com - only people who have booked the hotels on Agoda can make a review, and if you take a look, you'll see honest reviews, good and bad, plus points and minus points - a very useful tool for checking for your ideal hotel.
Top 10 Phuket Hotels (2008)
1. JW Marriott Resort and Spa
The JW Mariott probably is unbeatable. If you want a quiet luxury getaway, then you can fly to Phuket and the resort is just 15 minutes from the airport on the uncrowded and as yet relatively undeveloped Mai Khao Beach. Words such as "paradise", "sanctuary" and "heaven" are not just words!
• JW Marriott on Agoda.com
• JW Marriott Reviews
2. Mom Tri's Villa Royale
The newer sister resort of Mom Tri's Boathouse, Villa Royale is one of the few hotels in Phuket that can be called secluded, while also being close to the main beaches. It's on the headland between Kata and Kata Noi, overlooking the ocean beach featuring beautifully designed luxury villas.
• Villa Royale on Agoda.com
• Villa Royale Reviews
• More about Mom Tri's Villa Royale on this blog
3. Sala Phuket
Sala Phuket is a new (very new... I am not sure I had heard of it before starting this top 10!) luxury villa resort on Mai Khao Beach - just opened in December 2007. The reviews say it all, things like "breathtaking", "blissful", "Sala Phuket is amazing!"... you get the general idea.
• Sala Phuket on Agoda.com
• Sala Phuket Reviews
• Sala Phuket - more information on Jamie's Phuket
4. Indigo Pearl
I wrote about Indigo Pearl already - it's a top class resort and has a very original look and feel with decor based on the old Phuket tin mining industry. It may not be to everyone's liking, but it's got class and it's not afraid to be different!
• Indigo Pearl on Agoda.com
• Indigo Pearl Reviews
5. Pacific Club Resort
Located on the hillside overlooking Karon Beach, Pacific Club's owner Eric is a chef and also owner of the Karon Cafe in the center of Karon. It's a small resort with a personal feel and great panoramic views. Well off the main road and yet only 10 minutes walk to Karon Beach. Ideal for those wanting seclusion, but still easy access to the main beach centers.
• Pacific Club on Agoda.com
• Pacific Club Reviews
• Pacific Club Resort review on Jamie's Phuket
6. Banyan Tree
The Banyan Tree is part of the Laguna Resort complex at Bang Tao Beach. Nice. Very. It's listed in the 2008 Conde Nast Gold List of the best hotels in the world (so is JW Marriott). I rest my case.
• Banyan Tree on Agoda.com
• Banyan Tree Reviews
7. Cape Panwa Hotel
Another hotel already recommended on this blog, Cape Panwa Hotel seems to be a perennial favourite. I love the Panwa area, it's miles from the busy beaches, and this resort is the hideaway at the edge of Phuket. Patong is a different planet.
• Cape Panwa Hotel on Agoda.com
• Cape Panwa Hotel Reviews
8. Marina Phuket Resort
I was actually surprised to see Marina up in the top 10. I had always thought it was a slightly old mid price resort - but then I have not stayed there. It's right on the south end of Karon Beach, with deluxe villas overlooking the ocean, and Dino Park right next door!
• Marina Phuket on Agoda.com
• Marina Phuket at HotelsCombined.com
• Marina Phuket Review on Jamie's Phuket
9. Ayara Hilltops Resort and Spa (was Treetops Arasia)
Another luxury villa resort, this one with views from the hillside overlooking Surin Beach. There are only 48 villas, and I gotta say it looks like a fab place to stay. And if you stay here, splash out on the Rachavadee Suite.
• Ayara Hilltops on Agoda.com
• Ayara Hilltops Reviews
10. Andaman Seaview
Hey! Just down the road from where I work! Andaman Seaview is on Karon Beach, prices are decent (in fact, in low season a real steal). I think the main reason it creeps into the top 10 is value for money. Quality at a price you can't argue with. Andaman Seaview is not comparable to some of the others in this list, but it's much cheaper!
• Andaman Seaview on Agoda.com
• Andaman Seaview Reviews
Note: Marriott Phuket Beach Club is actually number 10, but it's a timeshare resort so I discounted it for this page.
Note 2: This Top 10 list was compiled in 2008 - I made a new Top 10 based on TripAdvisor rankings in January 2011 - see The Best Hotels in Phuket.
Note 3: I have also made a new Top 10 in 2012 - Top 10 Hotels in Phuket 2012.
Latest Update 2013 ...
• Top 10 Phuket Hotels 2013
Agree with the top 10? Stayed somewhere else that you thought was better? Do add a comment below. You'll notice that most of these are pricey resorts, 5 star, most are on more secluded beaches and many of them (like Sala Phuket or Indigo Pearl) are new resorts that have only been open a year or two. There are new luxury resorts opening every year. Phuket IS trying to push the luxury lifestyle, and it's often said that Thailand does luxury very well. If you're on a low budget, this list is not for you, but you can look here: Low Budget Phuket Accommodation. As for this list, I'd hate to disagree with the opinions of the reviewers, this certainly looks like a top 10 to me!
• Jamie's Phuket Hotel Recommendations
• Phuket Hotels online @ Agoda.com
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