Banyan Tree Phuket is one of the larger luxury resorts in Phuket, with 175 villas on 89 acres of sprawling garden grounds that can be difficult to navigate. Manmade lagoons and the beach -- a five-minute walk away -- provide beautiful water views, and multiple outdoor pools are relaxing. Villas are spacious and include luxurious details such as private outdoor spaces with hot tubs or pools, designer furniture, and pillow menus. Extensive features include an 18-hole golf course, yoga and cooking classes, boat rides on the lagoon, a kids' club, and bikes for borrow. Several restaurants offer Thai, fine-dining, Japanese, and international cuisines. Downsides include a beach that's often too rough for swimming and an enormous property that can be difficult to navigate, though guests can request buggy service. Compare rates with the similar Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.
Banyan Tree Phuket is one of the larger luxury resorts in Phuket, with 175 villas on 89 acres of sprawling garden grounds that can be difficult to navigate. Manmade lagoons and the beach -- a five-minute walk away -- provide beautiful water views, and multiple outdoor pools are relaxing. Villas are spacious and include luxurious details such as private outdoor spaces with hot tubs or pools, designer furniture, and pillow menus. Extensive features include an 18-hole golf course, yoga and cooking classes, boat rides on the lagoon, a kids' club, and bikes for borrow. Several restaurants offer Thai, fine-dining, Japanese, and international cuisines. Downsides include a beach that's often too rough for swimming and an enormous property that can be difficult to navigate, though guests can request buggy service. Compare rates with the similar Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas.
The Racha is a five-pearl eco-chic resort on the small island of Racha Yai in the Andaman Sea. It's a 35-minute boat ride from Phuket to get there, and there's a charge for the transfer. Once guests arrive at the island they're greeted with the sight of white-washed villas built with clean lines, in harmony with the natural surroundings of the tropical landscape and water. The villas are clean and comfortable; some have private pools and spacious outdoor bathrooms. Recreation facilities are top-notch: ATVs, water toys, tennis courts, a spa, and more are all on offer. Be warned, though: The stunning sandy beach is a hot spot for tourist boats from Phuket and is overrun with day-trippers often, making it not exactly ideal for those who want a romantic and quiet tropical vacation. The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Phuket is another five-pearl option on Ko Nakha Yai with a quieter beach and many of the same facilities.
The Racha is a five-pearl eco-chic resort on the small island of Racha Yai in the Andaman Sea. It's a 35-minute boat ride from Phuket to get there, and there's a charge for the transfer. Once guests arrive at the island they're greeted with the sight of white-washed villas built with clean lines, in harmony with the natural surroundings of the tropical landscape and water. The villas are clean and comfortable; some have private pools and spacious outdoor bathrooms. Recreation facilities are top-notch: ATVs, water toys, tennis courts, a spa, and more are all on offer. Be warned, though: The stunning sandy beach is a hot spot for tourist boats from Phuket and is overrun with day-trippers often, making it not exactly ideal for those who want a romantic and quiet tropical vacation. The Naka Island, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Phuket is another five-pearl option on Ko Nakha Yai with a quieter beach and many of the same facilities.
Twinpalms Phuket is one of the most stylish and party-focused five-pearl options in Phuket. This boutique property is centered around a gorgeous swimming pool with a poolside bar. Surin Beach is reached by crossing a footpath through an empty field, which is slightly inconvenient, but it does mean that the party and drinking scene found at the property's two beach clubs doesn't filter over to the luxurious rooms. Most rooms have plunge pools or direct access to a semi-private lagoon pool, along with free Wi-Fi and furnished outdoor spaces. An on-site spa, modern fitness center, and chic restaurant round out the upscale touches at this intimate, 97-room hotel. Twinpalms offers a nice combination of peace and party that mostly attracts European couples.
Twinpalms Phuket is one of the most stylish and party-focused five-pearl options in Phuket. This boutique property is centered around a gorgeous swimming pool with a poolside bar. Surin Beach is reached by crossing a footpath through an empty field, which is slightly inconvenient, but it does mean that the party and drinking scene found at the property's two beach clubs doesn't filter over to the luxurious rooms. Most rooms have plunge pools or direct access to a semi-private lagoon pool, along with free Wi-Fi and furnished outdoor spaces. An on-site spa, modern fitness center, and chic restaurant round out the upscale touches at this intimate, 97-room hotel. Twinpalms offers a nice combination of peace and party that mostly attracts European couples.
The intimate but elegant Andaman White Beach Resort sits right on the beach in a secluded and quiet stretch of western Phuket. Rooms range from romantic sea-facing rooms to opulent suites, some with private pools. On-site dining options include a Thai restaurant with fresh seafood dishes and a more relaxed beachfront pizzeria. Dala Spa adds to the overall relaxed vibe of the resort, as does the semi-remote location without much to do in walking distance (aside from the beach). The waters off the hotel can be dangerous to swim in during the summer, but there is a long pool for guests who want to swim in the off-season.
The intimate but elegant Andaman White Beach Resort sits right on the beach in a secluded and quiet stretch of western Phuket. Rooms range from romantic sea-facing rooms to opulent suites, some with private pools. On-site dining options include a Thai restaurant with fresh seafood dishes and a more relaxed beachfront pizzeria. Dala Spa adds to the overall relaxed vibe of the resort, as does the semi-remote location without much to do in walking distance (aside from the beach). The waters off the hotel can be dangerous to swim in during the summer, but there is a long pool for guests who want to swim in the off-season.
The boutique Beach House Hotel sits right on a small stretch of private beach, and offers perks like free Wi-Fi, nighttime film screenings, and a pumping DJ on the weekends (a pro, for those who don't mind the noise). But it lacks the amenities -- fitness center, business center, pool -- of a larger hotel. The rooms, despite the stylish, South Beach-y veneer (decent bedding, bright orange accent walls, up-to-date technology) are pretty basic and worn, with cheap floors.
The boutique Beach House Hotel sits right on a small stretch of private beach, and offers perks like free Wi-Fi, nighttime film screenings, and a pumping DJ on the weekends (a pro, for those who don't mind the noise). But it lacks the amenities -- fitness center, business center, pool -- of a larger hotel. The rooms, despite the stylish, South Beach-y veneer (decent bedding, bright orange accent walls, up-to-date technology) are pretty basic and worn, with cheap floors.
The mid-range Beach House Villas is a humble, family-friendly property with spacious apartment-style rooms right on Negril's famous Seven Mile Beach. Twelve homey rooms come with full kitchens, and multi-bedroom apartments are available. The hotel's highlight is its prime location directly on the beach, and beachside dining is available at the hotel's casual, open-air restaurant in high season. The grounds are attractive and compact, with lush greenery throughout, and there are plenty of terraces from which guests can take in the sea views. Travelers looking for more on-site features may want to consider Tree House Negril, which has a pool and free breakfast at lower rates.
The mid-range Beach House Villas is a humble, family-friendly property with spacious apartment-style rooms right on Negril's famous Seven Mile Beach. Twelve homey rooms come with full kitchens, and multi-bedroom apartments are available. The hotel's highlight is its prime location directly on the beach, and beachside dining is available at the hotel's casual, open-air restaurant in high season. The grounds are attractive and compact, with lush greenery throughout, and there are plenty of terraces from which guests can take in the sea views. Travelers looking for more on-site features may want to consider Tree House Negril, which has a pool and free breakfast at lower rates.
The 102-room Buri Beach Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl property located on the beach in southern Koh Phangan. It's within walking distance of the Full Moon Party, shops, and restaurants. The rooms and cottages are decorated in a Thai style -- some of which is dated and has seen better days -- and all have stocked mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and a balcony or terrace. The restaurant serves all meals and receives solid marks -- it has a bar as well. Two outdoor pools are good places for hanging out, and the one by the beach has excellent sunset views. Massage treatments and reflexology are available in the spa. Check out Le Divine Comedie as well, a boutique resort that's near the Full Moon Party, but a bit more removed.
The 102-room Buri Beach Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl property located on the beach in southern Koh Phangan. It's within walking distance of the Full Moon Party, shops, and restaurants. The rooms and cottages are decorated in a Thai style -- some of which is dated and has seen better days -- and all have stocked mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and a balcony or terrace. The restaurant serves all meals and receives solid marks -- it has a bar as well. Two outdoor pools are good places for hanging out, and the one by the beach has excellent sunset views. Massage treatments and reflexology are available in the spa. Check out Le Divine Comedie as well, a boutique resort that's near the Full Moon Party, but a bit more removed.
Vintage Hotel & Lounge – Restaurant is a small mid-range hotel perched on the side of a rocky cliff overlooking a scenic bay. All 10 rooms are sea-facing, and most have balconies with stunning views. The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but guests have privileged access to a salt-water pool in a residential complex just next to the hotel. A path leads down to the water’s edge where guests can also take a swim in the sea. The hotel's complex includes a popular restaurant and cocktail lounge with a large patio overlooking the bay. Rates are more expensive here than other three-pearls in the center of town, like Hotel Rosa and Aiguaclara Hotel, which actually offer more value for the money, but lack the amazing view.
Vintage Hotel & Lounge – Restaurant is a small mid-range hotel perched on the side of a rocky cliff overlooking a scenic bay. All 10 rooms are sea-facing, and most have balconies with stunning views. The hotel doesn’t have a pool, but guests have privileged access to a salt-water pool in a residential complex just next to the hotel. A path leads down to the water’s edge where guests can also take a swim in the sea. The hotel's complex includes a popular restaurant and cocktail lounge with a large patio overlooking the bay. Rates are more expensive here than other three-pearls in the center of town, like Hotel Rosa and Aiguaclara Hotel, which actually offer more value for the money, but lack the amazing view.
This hotel was impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. The quiet, budget Blue Bay Beach Hotel is an inviting Orient Bay property that has a relaxed and laid-back charm. The hotel is within walking distance of the white sands of Orient Bay Beach and the restaurants and shops of Orient Village. All 35 rooms are spacious with a rustic-chic decor, balconies or terraces, and some ocean views. Since rooms feature kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and iPod stations, this is a great choice for families and couples who want to self-cater. The hotel features a private (but small) pool, a few common areas, and some free extras at the front desk like sewing kits and mosquito nets. Those looking for a little more action should consider La Playa Orient Bay; it has DJ sets, free breakfast, and a small spa near the beach.
This hotel was impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. We will update our review as soon as we have more information. The quiet, budget Blue Bay Beach Hotel is an inviting Orient Bay property that has a relaxed and laid-back charm. The hotel is within walking distance of the white sands of Orient Bay Beach and the restaurants and shops of Orient Village. All 35 rooms are spacious with a rustic-chic decor, balconies or terraces, and some ocean views. Since rooms feature kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and iPod stations, this is a great choice for families and couples who want to self-cater. The hotel features a private (but small) pool, a few common areas, and some free extras at the front desk like sewing kits and mosquito nets. Those looking for a little more action should consider La Playa Orient Bay; it has DJ sets, free breakfast, and a small spa near the beach.