Phuket holiday travel
Phuket is a happening little vacation spot with beaches, nightclubs, bars, and ancient temples to keep you busy. Phuket is also a good base if you want to check some of the other popular destinations in the area like the Phi Phi Islands or Krabi.
Where to stay – hotels
Phuket boasts a well-developed tourist infrastructure with luxurious beach hotels, private resorts, rustic bungalows, and simple guest houses. No matter what your price range is, you can find something to suit your budget. A good starting point for searching for a Phuket Hotels and Resorts can be found at DirectRooms.com. They have a nice map search facility.
There are many guest houses and hotels located near Patong beach, but there are also plenty of accommodations in town and near some of the other beaches further away. To find a Phuket hotel location that interests you, go online.
Many of Phuket's hotels offer the western facilities you can find at home, but if you're up for a more interesting experience, you can rent a cheap guest house that may have cold showers and squatting toilets. More on Phuket hotels here.
Or try this useful Phuket hotel finder & guide.
What to do
Phuket town has a fascinating history, dominated by Chinese merchants. The more modern developments to see are its markets, shopping malls, and Karaoke bars.
Sino-Portuguese architecture and colonial buildings (among the few in Thailand) as well as Chinese temples are sprinkled around Phuket and make interesting places to see. Nearby is the Sea Gypsy Village, which is also worth a visit.
Patong beach is one of Thailand’s most developed, situated along a sweeping bay. There are many tourists here, so it's full of bars, discos, restaurants, guest houses, and vendors. Karon and Kata bays, beyond a headland to the south, have great beaches and less people. They also have great facilities if you can’t do without your western comforts.
See more on Phuket tours.
What to see by hire car
It may be worthwhile to have a hire car in Phuket. There are plenty of taxis available, but if you do a lot of running around, it tends to get expensive. Also, there are many secluded beaches and bays in the area that are perfect for a day trip by hire car. More on Phuket car hire here.
Chalong bay and Sapam bay are east facing and less crowded. These are easily navigated with a hire car. Away from the coast, there's Kao Phra Royal Wildlife and Forest reserve. It is one of Thailand’s many fantastic rainforest areas, excellent for hiking.
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