Hotels in Phuket Town

Phuket is of course more known as a beach destination, and I would guess 99% of visitors will want to stay close to the water. There are plenty of hotel recommendations on this blog, mostly hotels near the beaches - Phuket's west coast is all about beaches, from the overdeveloped madness that is Patong (yeh, some people like it, I know) to much quieter locations like Naithon or Kamala. There are some hotels inland away from the water, or on the far less developed east coast, and there is also plenty of accommodation in Phuket Town.

Phuket Town (officially called Phuket City, but it certainly feels like a town), is the main business center of Phuket and the provincial capital. There's no beach, but staying in town gives a totally different experience of Phuket. Sure there are some tourism oriented businesses, but mostly it's local life - markets, small interesting shops, Chinese shrines, day to day life going on all around, historic buildings, museums, local restaurants and a nightlife that is quite separate to the bars 'n' girls at the beaches. It's the place to be to enjoy events such as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival or the Street Show Festival. I like Phuket Town, and there's plenty of space given to it on the blog. If you have a longer stay in Phuket and want to experience more than just mainstream tourism, why not stay in town for a couple of nights?

Some Recommended Phuket Town Hotels

Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel

A new hotel right by the old town on Phuket Road, just round the corner from Thalang Road, restored old shophouse, with all white exterior (thus the name). Only 17 rooms, and good price too.

• Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel - Reviews

Chinotel

Newly opened in 2010, Chinotel is on Ranong Road right next to the new market. Rates only 600 - 800 Baht per night with aircon, TV and you're right in the old town.

• Chinotel - Bookings at Agoda.com
• Chinotel on the Phuket Hotels Blog

Royal Phuket City Hotel

Just about opposite the bus terminal, the Royal Phuket City is more of a business/conference hotel, with 250 rooms, a nice cafe called Cafe 154 that we have used as a base for Phuket Photo Walk. Has a pool and spa too. Another favourite restaurant, Kaewjai, is just a block away.

• Royal Phuket City Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Royal Phuket City Hotel - Reviews

Sino House Hotel

A couple of blocks North and East of old town, Sino House is an apartment style hotel and includes the highly recommended Rain Tree Spa which my wife and I mean to visit one day soon!

• Sino House Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Sino House Hotel - Reviews

Baan Suwantawe

Located next to the Queen Sirikit park, and right over the street from the Indy Market that takes place on Thursday and Friday evenings, this is quite a new place which has standard hotel rooms and also appartments for longer term rent.

• Baan Suwantawe - Rates and Reservations
• Baan Suwantawe - Reviews

Bhukitta Hotel

Right next to the bus terminal, 5 minutes walk to old town, lots of local restaurants close by. Reading the reviews, you can see some common "problems" with hotels in town - things like "too far from the beach" - well, duh! And no nice views - well it's in the town, and maybe staff not speaking the best English, yeh, if they did, they'd work in a 5 star resort.

• Bhukitta Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Bhukitta Hotel - Reviews

Phuket Center Apartment

Right in the center close to old town, the Phuket Center Apartments are serviced apartments with kitchens. A cafe serves breakfast and lunch, but then again, you are within a few minutes walk of many restaurants in town.

• Phuket Center Apartment - Rates and Reservations
• Phuket Center Apartment - Reviews

Lub Sbuy Guesthouse

A budget place, again very close to the bus terminal with lots of local places to eat nearby and 5 minutes walk to the old town. Odd spelling, Lub Sbuy means "peaceful sleep".. guess I would spell it Lap Sabai, but each to their own!

• Lub Sbuy Guesthouse - Rates and Reservations

Dara Hotel

A real oddity, this place. Location - on the edge of town close to the Central Festival Mall, not far from the weekend market either. I'd only stay here if I had some transport, but it's kind of unique - very colourful and modern.

• Dara Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Dara Hotel - Reviews

Thavorn Heritage Hotel

The Thavorn Heritage Hotel (or just Thavorn Hotel) is a bit of Phuket history. It's not that old, opened in 1961, but was officially Phuket's first 5 star hotel. It's not so fancy now but the lobby looks great and there's a small museum inside. They do rooms for as litle as 600 Baht, great location right in the middle of town.

• Thavorn Hotel - More Information

Phuket Town may not be your cup of tea, but this blog does tend to be read by people who like all kinds of tea! Aside from the hotels above, Phuket Town has lots of low budget guesthouses and backpacker places - more info here: Cheap Places To Stay in Phuket.

More Hotels in Phuket Town

• Phuket Town Hotels at Agoda.com

More About Phuket Town

• Walking in Old Town
• Old Phuket Town Festival
• Exploring Phuket Town
• Kopitiam Restaurant on Thalang Road
• Rang Hill
• Thai Hua Phuket History Museum