Cross the island’s jungle-cloaked heart for a tradition repair in Phuket Town, the place sensible cafes and subsequent-gen cocktail bars breathe new life into the Sino-Portuguese warehouses lining its oldest streets. Nearby, the quiet and craggy coastline of Cape Panwa delivers eye-popping views over the island-dotted Phang Nga Bay. We have narrowed down the a whole lot of places to remain to a tight edit of our favourite Phuket resorts (click for more info), in no explicit order. Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the vacation spot and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider each luxurious properties and boutique and lesser-known properties that offer an genuine and insider experience of a destination. We’re at all times on the lookout for beautiful design, an awesome location, and heat service-in addition to critical sustainability credentials. There are just a few resorts of be aware on Phuket’s sunrise-facing east coast, with COMO Point Yamu being the brightest of the bunch-and in our opinion, probably the greatest resorts in all of Thailand.

Ricos Hotel Phuket

Somewhat confusingly, the villas-traditional Thai affairs with pointed roofs and teakwood floors-are unfold over three distinct areas: guide the adult-only Spa Sanctuary villas for all-you-can-spa perks, or the DoublePool villas for twin swimming pools and heaps of house. But even the entry-level villas at the principle tackle supply plenty of comforts, with open-air bathtubs, walled gardens, and pools lengthy enough for laps. Sprawled over a lush hillside dotted with historic banyan trees and indigenous foliage, the Rosewood Phuket’s 71 elegant villas and suites feel extra like island homes than hotel digs, because of their cozy residing room areas decorated with keepsakes, recent flowers, and espresso table books. This hotel may be situated inside eyeshot of Patong Seaside-the island’s rowdy epicenter-however from the second you turn up at its monogrammed entrance gates, it feels a world away. The Asaya spa is considered one of Rosewood’s finest in the region, the place serious spa junkies ought to e book themselves into the Asaya Villa, a spacious day-use spa retreat with a personal watsu pool and Himalayan salt sauna.

All merchandise and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently chosen by our editors. If you happen to buy one thing by way of our hyperlinks, we may earn an affiliate fee. From coastal retreats to jungle hideouts, personal beaches to personal butlers, muay Thai trainers to twin swimming pools-Thailand’s largest island and longest-standing vacation hotspot has resort choices aplenty, however picking the proper one is usually a daunting process. Phuket is blessed with greater than thirty completely different bays and beaches, and while all of them rating prime marks by way of postcard prettiness, their vibes (and due to this fact, their hotel line-ups) range widely. Most of the trip action occurs across the bays on its western coast, from the laid-back Nai Harn and Rawai beaches within the coral-fringed deep south to the seemingly infinite stretch of crowd-free sand of Mai Khao on the island’s north. In between, there’s buzzy nightlife round Patong, household fun round Kamala, and an inspired restaurant scene across the expat hub of Bang Tao.

All include sala-lined sundecks, some with non-public pools. Its Holistic Wellness Centre, the first of its form within the Aman group, veers method beyond the standard spa trappings and provides medical providers that embrace IV nutrient infusions and cryotherapy. Search for Phuket inspiration on Instagram, and you’re guaranteed to come across Keemala, a highly photogenic resort pitched in the Kamala rainforest on the island’s west coast. Its hillside retreats vary from glamorous safari tents to 2-story tree houses and include private pools and adjoining sundecks (guide the Bird’s Nest Pool Villas if you’re after extra house). The interiors meld safari chic with jungle dwellings-teakwood partitions, stone-carved bathtubs, and fabrics in earthy tones. When you manage to leave your cocoon, the closest seaside is a 10-minute drive away, however Keemala’s knowledgeable Mala Spa and well being-centered Mala Restaurant (go for the southern Thai specialties) provide simply as many alternatives to up the feel-good factor.

Le Piman Resort

Set on the tip of Cape Yamu, this wellness-focused place balances out its straight-lined design with inherently Thai touches (gorgeous Buddhist artworks among them) and a pinch of Mediterranean flair courtesy of Italian designer Paola Navone. There is no such thing as a direct beach entry, but COMO’s swish seaside club, set on a semi-non-public islet some 20 minutes away, more than makes up for that-as does the gorgeous 330-foot pool. Sharing the same seashore and architect-the late Ed Tuttle-as Amanpuri – click this link now – next door, this long-standing classic on Phuket’s west coast has garnered a loyal following for its effectively-priced rooms and excellent service. Rooms are sleek, carried out up in crisp whites and electric-blue hues, and have fabulous views over Phang Nga Bay. The dramatic Thai-inspired Lomtalay restaurant and sweeping granite staircases leading up to it have Tuttle’s fingerprints throughout it, as does the lounger-lined hexagonal swimming pool clad in chalkboard-black anthracite. Rooms, on the contrary, are shiny and breezy affairs with palettes of white and gray warmed up with touches of gemstone-hued silk.

One of the best-and priciest-places to bed down in Phuket is Trisara, an ultra-luxe resort set on its own cape on the northwest aspect of the island. Its 39 secluded villas are as pretty as they are spacious, designed in a trendy Thai style and every kitted out with ocean-view terraces, an infinity pool, and butlers on name. Trisara’s distant location means it’s far away from any tourist sights, but there’s little purpose to depart: There’s a gorgeous sunbed-lined pool for lounging and laps, in addition to a powdery white beach only company have access to. The Jara spa combines sensational ocean views with soothing Thai therapeutic massage treatments, and there are three glorious eating places for palm-shaded beachfront dining, together with the Michelin-starred Pru and well-known barbecues at Seafood by Trisara. The adjoining stretch of Bang Tao seaside may not be probably the most picturesque and the setting between apartment buildings not probably the most engaging-but none of that issues after you’ve checked in at considered one of Banyan Tree’s non-public pool villas.