A tropical haven amid the Andaman Sea: our travel guide to Phuket
18 July 2022
Phuket villas
The perfect stay
in Phuket, Thailand
Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is one of a kind. This enchanting island sits on the tip of southern Thailand, surrounded by a cluster of 32 smaller islands and the breathtaking blue waters of the Andaman Sea. Famous for its beautiful beaches, charming Phuket villas, rich culture, mystical temples, magical forests, and warm, friendly locals, it is one of the world’s most beloved tropical beach destinations.
Connected to the mainland by two road bridges, Phuket has still managed to retain its unique character. While the shore of the island is famous for its beaches, the interior provides visitors with a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns, and a rare glimpse into authentic Thai life untouched by tourism. Western Phuket is where you’ll find the island’s best beaches and most exclusive Phuket villas, as well as lingering sunsets that paint the sky with bursts of purples, pinks and golds.
Connected to the mainland by two road bridges, Phuket has still managed to retain its unique character. While the shore of the island is famous for its beaches, the interior provides visitors with a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns, and a rare glimpse into authentic Thai life untouched by tourism. Western Phuket is where you’ll find the island’s best beaches and most exclusive Phuket villas, as well as lingering sunsets that paint the sky with bursts of purples, pinks and golds.
Once home to simple fishing villages and very little else, today, Phuket is an eclectic blend of ancient and modern. You’ll find otherworldly temples sitting alongside contemporary hotels, and charming backstreets filled with local boutiques situated right next to air-conditioned malls. This energetic, vibrant island is warm and welcoming, bursting with quintessential Thai charm and a colourful character all of its own.
Things
you can’t miss in Phuket
- Bask in the incredible scenery of Phang Nga, distinguished by its towering limestone rock-like islets, a private cruise around Phang Nga Bay makes a lovely day trip.
- Browse Phuket’s old town by spending a balmy afternoon exploring the Sino-Portuguese streets lined with magnificent mansions and beautiful shophouses with many small cafes, bakeries, and eateries.
- Discover the local cuisine and arts and crafts at one of the many Phuket night markets open every day of the week.
Our insider tips for Phuket
Popular destinations in Phuket
Kamala, Phuket’s tranquil beach
While many of the other beaches on Phuket may be busy during the peak season, Kamala remains one of those off-the-beaten-track spots where you can soak up the peace and tranquillity. The north end of the beach is especially quiet all year round. The small town that shares its name with the beach has plenty of personality and is relaxed, laid-back, and friendly. To experience a true taste of Phuket, take a stroll around the weekend markets, where you can find everything from tourist mementoes to fresh ingredients to cook up some authentic Thai food back at your rental villa.
Phuket villas you will love
Our Phuket villas
Villa Oceans 11
12 PEOPLE -
6 Bedrooms -
8 Bathrooms
Villa Leelawadee
14 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
Amanzi Kamala
12 PEOPLE -
6 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Villa Samira
12 PEOPLE -
6 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Villa Praison
8 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
Villa Rodnaya
9 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
4 Bathrooms
“I'll never forget the first time I swam in Phuket's seemingly endless emerald green waters - absolutely magical. Thailand’s biggest island, Phuket is truly a unique destination; full to the brim with enchanting landscapes, rich culture, bustling bars and foodie hotspots.”
Kimya Fouladi
Why stay with us?
Curated and inspected homes, villas & chalets
Luxury linen and toiletries
Round the clock support
Complimentary weekly clean
Dedicated concierge
Earn & redeem Accor ALL loyalty Reward points
Personal Meet & Greet
Complimentary medical support in partnership with AXA
Enhance your Phuket stay
Your luxury onefinestay rental villa in Phuket comes with a host of additional services, including wellness activities, sports and equipment hire, dinner reservations, a personal chef, childcare, car hire, entertainment, and celebratory decorations. Just ask your dedicated concierge for more details.
Essential Phuket information
When to visit Phuket
JAN
80F
FEB
82F
MAR
84F
APR
84F
MAY
84F
JUN
84F
JUL
82F
AUG
82F
SEP
80F
OCT
82F
NOV
80F
DEC
80F
Please note: these are the average temperatures reported but can vary greatly due to weather conditions, such as heat waves etc. We kindly invite you to contact us for more information, including confirmation that your chosen villa has air conditioning, to ensure a comfortable stay.
Best time to go
During spring: temperatures in spring are well into the 30s°C (86-90°F) and humidity is high, but onshore breezes tend to bring some relief around the coast. Expect the occasional rain shower, which is usually relatively brief and often confined to the evenings and night-time. There are plenty of festivals during the spring in Phuket, including National Elephant Day in March, and a turtle release fair in April that celebrates the conservation efforts to protect the region’s rare turtles.
During summer: summer is technically the rainy season in Phuket, but once again the rain tends to be confined to the night-time, leaving the days free for visitors to explore the island’s temples and beaches. Watch out for red warning flags on some beaches, as the summer currents can be strong and unpredictable.
During autumn: the summer humidity starts to drop in the autumn and once the rainy season has finished, the weather becomes more settled towards November. Temperatures average around 28°C (82°F). Events include the Chao Le Boat Floating Festival and the Loi Krathong Festival.
During winter: with dry conditions and balmy temperatures, winter in Phuket is the best time to visit this beautiful island. The sea conditions are calm and perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and daily temperatures range from 28-32°C (82-89°F). Look out for events like the Patong Carnival and the New Year celebrations, where the beach parties go on until dawn.
How to get there
Make the journey as memorable as the arrival. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transportation from the closest airport or train station to your Phuket villa.
By plane
Phuket International Airport is in the north of the island and is Thailand’s second-largest airport. There are regular connecting flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and direct flights from Europe and Australia.
By bus
A trip across one of the island’s bridges will take you to one of two bus terminals in and around Phuket Town. The New Terminal north of the city is the destination for all long-distance services from Bangkok that connect to minibuses serving the smaller towns and villages across the island.
By car
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By boat
Ferry services run from Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi, and speedboats offer quick connections to some of the outlying islands. Boats can also be chartered for travellers who want to explore the coves and inlets along the coastline, try their hand at deep sea sport fishing or set off on a scuba adventure to catch a glimpse of the magnificent whale sharks that swim in these waters.
Local tips
- The easiest way to get a sim card while in Phuket is at the airport, where multiple companies offer special packages for tourists. You can recharge your sim card at any 7-Eleven store.
- In Phuket, bargaining or negotiating prices is an art and it's practised very openly - at markets, small stores, shops and with street vendors.
- Tipping is appreciated, but not expected or required in Phuket.
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