Hospitality and boutique Phuket
As Thailand’s most popular tourist destination, Phuket impresses with its sophisticated, well developed, tourist infrastructure and hospitality services. This ranges from five-star hotels and world class restaurants to rowdy bars and even a transvestite cabaret; something to suit all tastes and budgets. There are more than half a dozen beach areas, each with its own atmosphere and character, of which Patong is the liveliest, while nearby Karon and Kamala are more family orientated but busy all the same.
Phuket entertainment also includes live music, movies, night shopping and several shows, including the highly recommended family-orientated Phuket Fantasea. Thailand is very gay friendly and there are several focal points around the island. of course it wouldn’t be Thailand without some ‘girlie bars’ and these are mostly confined to Patong, they’re easy to find and equally easy to ignore.
Finally, when you need to escape it all, a day spent in one of the many spas, or even a two hour Thai massage is a brilliant way to unwind and spoil your body.
In this section we recommend the best value and most popular restaurants, bars, spas, guesthouses and nightlife haunts, with a general overview on how to enjoy yourself safely in Phuket.
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HotelsSome of Thailand’s best beach resorts are found here, book online here with a choice of more than 200 luxury hotels, boutique villas or budget lodging...more |
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RestaurantsBeachfront dining, sunset view bars, silver service international cuisine or spicy Thai seafood, the choice is mouthwatering across the island, try these...more |
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BarsEveryone is in a party mood on Phuket, whether you prefer a lively music pub, quiet cocktail lounges, local hangouts, discos or the go go scene...more |
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GayPhuket welcomes its gay visitors with a vibrant and friendly crowd and fun scene, with plenty of venues and a few events that are relaxed, read...more |
Where to enjoy Phuket by night?
Phuket is actually quite spread out, consisting of a series of West Coast bays, each with their own beach scene. Some are more lively than others, presenting several atmospheres to suit different tastes. Whether you prefer fine dining or a raucous pub, there are options to suit different moods.
Patong Beach is party centre, a busy and heavily-developed area that will excite the party-goers and disgust those looking for quiet paradise. Here you’ll find the greatest concentration of bars, discos, massage shops, restaurants and night market shopping. Bang La road is the locus of activity, mainly because it’s lined with lanes full of girlie bars. The place is packed by night and can be either overwhelming, titilating or merely ‘interesting’ depending which way you look at it.
Karon is probably the second busiest centre, with its own cluster of bars and restaurants, while Kamala is similar but quieter. Kata is more refined and you’re more likely to find fine dining here than bar girls and beer swilling backpackers. The other beaches such as Surin and Rawai are quieter but do have some options, but in Bang Tao you’re probably restricted to the entetainment and options provided by your Laguna complex resort.
Phuket Town is where the locals hang out, most of it is dead by night except the night market areas, and the entertainment on offer is more likely to be private Karaoke bars.
