The white-sand beaches, the iconic Thai hospitality, the blissful food and shopping, and the stylish hotels in Phuket, all contribute to the island’s charm.
Picture-Perfect Tropical Beaches
The largest and most famous island in Thailand has plenty to offer its visitors, but beaches are unquestionably its biggest draw. Phuket is fringed with magnificent powder white sands bathed by the crystalline turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. No matter what you’re looking for, the sunny Phuket has it in abundance, from the hectic energy of Patong to the delightfully cosmopolitan aura of Suring and the isolated heavens of Kamala and Hat Nai Thon in the Sirinat National Park. For a truly upmarket experience, ditch the routine and embrace Phuket’s hottest trend, the beach clubs. Trendy Surin, the nautical paradise that is Chalong Bay, and the lovely Bang Tao Beach with its white gleaming stretch of sand, are all packed with fashionable beach clubs and lounges where you can enjoy everything from classy snacks and special DJ parties to sunset cocktails and sophisticated al fresco dining.
Sexy Nightlife
Although the notorious Bangla Road in Patong has already established a reputation for being Phuket’s most effervescent, yet also sleaziest, nightlife area, you can still find some top-notch nightclubs here to dance the night away in style. Other interesting options include the more refined Bang Tao Beach, where atmospheric reggae joints rub shoulders with trendy new venues; the charmingly laid-back Surin; and the lively resorts of Karon and Kata. A breath of fresh air to Phuket’s infamous nightlife scene is the seafront Rawai town in the south of the island. While this is certainly not a place for hardcore partygoers, it has its fair share of characterful bars, noisy nightclubs and quiet beachside hangouts, just perfect for sipping late night Mai Tais or a perfectly-mixed Siam Sunrays.
Amazing Shopping
Everyone knows that Phuket is a shopper’s paradise with a spectacular mix of giant upscale malls, boutique style shopping, delightful local markets, quirky tailor shops and ethnic goods such as silk, pearls, handicrafts and Asian antiques. That being said, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it in the island’s main shopping hubs, including Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Phuket City. The latter caters for a more fashion-oriented experience, boasting a great diversity of goods from art, crafts and posh Thai textile outlets to high-end designer boutiques tucked away in big bright malls outside the city.
Patong Beach is especially famous for its quintessential tailor shops, where you can get a lovely made-to-measure suit/dress within a couple of days, for a fraction of what you’d normally pay back home.
So far, so good, but what really makes shopping in Phuket - and Thailand in general- so unique are not the malls or the resort’s flamboyant commercial strips, but the wonderful markets. They’re fun, vibrant, colorful and full of local flavor. Almost every village and town on the beautiful island has one, and thankfully, they stock everything you might need from fresh food and quality leather goods to peculiar souvenirs, collectibles, CDs and all kind of clothes and accessories. Some of the most attractive include the sprawling Weekend Market- held each weekend just outside Phuket Town, Karon Temple Market and the hipster-oriented Indy Market in Phuket Old Town.
Fabulous Dining
As you might expect, Phuket has a tremendous dining scene with choices ranging from superb street-side food stalls and cheerful family-run eateries to elegant resort restaurants, trendy international cuisines and luxurious venues that serve their freshly-caught fish in the most innovative and sophisticated way possible.
With all its hype, buzz and madness, it’s no wonder Patong Beach is often regarded as Phuket’s culinary epicenter, and for good reason. The area is bursting with a plethora of eating establishments for all tastes and budgets, from cheap street stalls to reasonably-priced traditional fairs to glamorous award-winning kitchens. Although the same variety of atmospheres and cuisines can be found in Phuket City, a unique eating concept makes the area far more appealing. Known as krachang in Thai, Phuket’s floating seafood restaurants (dotted along the east coast) make for a downright fabulous dining experience.
Last but not least, stylish Surin stands out for its good selection of beach restaurants, most of which serve gourmet Thai and international cuisines in polished, contemporary surroundings.
Stunning Accommodation Scene
From budget rooms and nice medium-priced hotels to glamorous self-catered villas set in their own stunning grounds and outstanding luxury resorts that are usually more like a destination in their own right, Phuket has clearly no shortage when it comes to finding a good night’s sleep.
Such a fantastic Thailand luxury resort is the Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, which is conveniently located in Phuket’s Kathu district, only a 5-minute ride away from the famous Patong Beach. All suites are elegantly furnished, appointed with gorgeous sea views and equipped with the most innovative features, ensuring guests an extraordinary stay. Among the resort’s 5-star facilities are a refined restaurant, state-of-the-art wellbeing spa, fitness center, infinity pool and children’s club. Moreover, the privileged location affords easy access to Phuket’s major attractions including shopping, golf, watersports, safari tours or the renowned Phuket Fantasea Theme Park, to name but a few.