bangkokjohn.com

My Phuket Travel Guide

Updated: • By Bangkok John

Questions? hello@bangkokjohn.com

Long-tail boats at sunset on Surin Beach, Phuket west coast
Surin Beach at sunset. The corner of the island where the good Phuket lives.

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand and the easiest entry point to the southern beach scene. I’ve been bringing the family here every year since 2014. The trick is knowing which corner of the island to base in, which the tourism marketing doesn’t help with at all.

The short version: stay west coast, north of Patong. Surin, Bang Tao, Layan, or Mai Khao depending on whether you want resort variety, pool villas, quiet beaches, or kid infrastructure. Book five to seven nights. Skip Patong.

My 2026 Phuket Travel Guide

Phuket Essentials

Phuket Hotels & Accommodations

Phuket Beaches (Choose Your Vibe)

Best Overall:

Mid-Range & Specialty:

Quiet & Scenic:

Airport & Quick Stays:

Activities & Day Trips

Nearby Destinations

Phuket Travel Planning

Frequently asked questions

Which Phuket beach should I stay on?

The west coast above Patong. Surin and Bang Tao for the high-end strip; Layan and Nai Thon for quieter; Mai Khao for the empty north (and the family resorts). Skip Patong itself.

How long in Phuket?

Five to seven nights as a beach-week leg of a Thailand trip. Long enough to do a Phang Nga Bay day trip, eat in Phuket Town, and still spend most days by the pool.

Is May to October worth going?

Yes, for value and the empty resorts. The west-coast surf gets dangerous though – book a hotel with a pool you'll actually use, and stick to days inside the resort when the storms come through.

Keep reading

  • Best Hotels in Phuket – West coast resorts, skipping Patong, and the family pools at the top of the price ladder – where I actually book on Thailand's biggest island.
  • Best Hotels in Krabi – Railay's iconic resort, the quiet Tubkaek strip, and the modern beach villas at the high end – where I actually book in Thailand's most scenic province.
  • Best Hotels in Koh Samui – Chaweng for energy, Bophut for calm, Lamai for the in-between – the running list of where I actually book on Thailand's most family-friendly island.
  • Where to Stay in Thailand – The neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown – where to base yourself in each Thai city and which combinations actually work as one trip.

About Bangkok John

Bangkok John

Bangkok John was started in 2020 when I posted my first hotel review. The site now publishes regularly updated guides to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, and all of Thailand.

I've lived in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, and I've traveled to more than 40 countries.

I'm a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member and an Emirates Skywards Gold member, so I lean toward Marriott properties when the choice is close. I pay for my own rooms.

Questions? Email me at hello@bangkokjohn.com.