Patong Beach Phuket
The tourism capital of Phuket is undoubtedly Patong beach. This broad stretch of white sand is a magnet for visitors from all over the world.
Visitors to Patong Beach are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation as it is home to more hotels and guesthouses than any other area of the island. Many of Phuket’s best hotels can be found directly across the road from the beach. Beachfront resorts include the Absolute Seapearl Beach Resort, Patong Beach Hotel, Holiday Inn, Club Andaman, La Flora, and Impiana Phuket Cabana.
Central Patong is a busy commercial centre, full of tourist shops and services, restaurants and bars, and although there are several beach front hotels on this beach, the central strip is fronted by a road beyond which is half a dozen bustling blocks that have some budget places to stay. Essentially this is an entertainment and shopping precinct, with the quieter hotels flanking the ends of the beach or set back behind the commercial district. In general the farther from the beach, the lower the price of accommodation, and quality ranges from good value mid-range hotels to small budget guest houses. No matter the number of stars, all accommodation in Patong is within a 20 minute walk from the beach front.
Patong’s status as the main tourist area of the island means that its is the place to look for the best international cuisine in Phuket. From western fast food to five star continental restaurants, Patong has plenty of options to satisfy any taste. Popular international restaurants include Casablanca, Sam’s Steak House and The Old Fisherman’s. There are also plenty of Thai restaurants in the area as well, including some of the best on the island.
Patong Beach is home to the largest nightclubs on the island and Patong’s nightlife is the most vibrant and lively you will find on the island. The beating heart of Patong Beach’s nightlife is Bangla Road and the arcades of smaller bars that branch off of it. Tiger Bar, Banana Club and Crocodile Bar are the biggest night spots in Patong, while Safari bar, on the outskirts of Patong, is the main after hours joint. The infamous ‘girlie bars’, although prominent, are restricted to certain lanes and clustered together for you to either ignore or enjoy. Recently, more sophisticated, more up-market places have been opening, such as Seduction disco, Sound disco, Club Lime and, in nearby Kalim, White Box.
Shopping is another main attraction to Patong Beach and shops line every street offering jewellery, clothes, electronics, art, video games, CDs, DVDs and nearly anything else anyone might want. Towards the southern end of the district is a large collection of art shops, which is one of the characters of Phuket. Quality ranges from world class to cheap flea market rip-offs. Most prices aren’t fixed so bring your haggling hat to get the best deals. Let the buyer beware, however, as many of the products on offer are cheap knock offs. If a bargain seems too good to be true it well might be.
Those looking for a quiet, secluded beach will probably want to avoid Patong as it is the road well travelled. However, if luxury, shopping, international cuisine and after-hours excitement are what you desire then you may never want to leave Patong.
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