Best hotels in Phuket: where to stay, beach by beach

White villas above Kata Bay

Kata Rocks sits on a headland at the end of Kata beach, with white villas and suites that all have their own pool and a sea view. The style is modern and bright, and the main pool seems to float out over the bay.

It earns our value pick among the luxury hotels, because you get a private pool and an ocean view for less than at the best-known names. There is no swimming beach directly below, but Kata beach is five minutes away. The poolside bar is one of the best spots on the south coast for sunset.

A white hotel above the quiet bay

The Nai Harn rises up the hillside above Nai Harn beach, with white facades and every room facing the sea. The beach below is one of the cleanest and calmest on the island, with a lake behind it and small restaurants in the shade.

It is our pick for a first visit: a beautiful beach, a relaxed mood and a short hop to both Kata and Promthep. There are a lot of steps, and space around the pool can be tight in high season. Early in the morning you can walk around the lake behind the beach with locals out exercising.

A private bay next to Patong

Rosewood sits in Emerald Bay, a small cove just south of Patong but shielded from the party by a hill. Its villas are scattered through gardens sloping down to a private beach, and many have their own pool.

It is ideal for travellers who want calm with Patong's restaurants and nightlife within easy reach. It is new and contemporary, and rates are high. The bay is small, and the sea can be rough in the monsoon.

Villas that hang in the trees

Keemala sits in the jungle above Kamala, with villas shaped like birds' nests, tents and huts built of clay. Every villa has its own pool, and the architecture is among the most unusual on Phuket.

It is our design pick and suits couples who want something other than a standard beach resort. It is not on the beach and the site is steep, so you are driven around by buggy. Kamala beach is a short ride away, and breakfast comes with views over jungle and sea.

Villas around the lagoons

Banyan Tree sits in the Laguna area at Bang Tao, with villas that all have a private pool, spread around lagoons and gardens. A shuttle boat and bus link the resorts in the area, and the beach is close by.

This is our family pick: space, calm and plenty of activities, with a short ride to the airport. Laguna is a gated area, so you will need a car to explore the rest of the island. Its spa was one of the first of its kind in Thailand and is still among the island's best.

A quiet beach in the north

Anantara Layan sits on Layan beach, north of Bang Tao, a calm stretch next to a national park. The villas have private pools, and the resort offers a cookery school and muay thai, Thai boxing, sessions for guests.

It is a strong pick for couples and families who want a quiet beach and things to do without leaving the hotel. The south and Patong are a long way away, but the airport is near.

Villas above Nai Thon

Trisara sits on a steep slope above the sea at Nai Thon, some way north of the busiest beaches. Its villas have private pools with the ocean right below, and the hotel has a small private beach.

It gets our vote as the romantic pick, for the sunsets and the silence. It is far from everything and most guests stay put. Families with children will find little to do. The restaurant cooks with produce from the hotel's own farm, and evenings on the terrace run long.

Views of the limestone islands

COMO Point Yamu sits on a headland on the east coast, with a long blue pool and views across the sheer limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. The style is modern with Thai colours, and the hotel has its own jetty for boat trips.

It appeals to travellers who want to explore the bay and its islands and do not need a beach at the door. The west coast beaches are about half an hour away by car, and Phuket Old Town, with its colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, is a short drive.