All you need to know about the land of silk and smiles
Centara Karon Resort Phuket 
This was formerly the Central Karon Beach Resort. The property consists of 316 rooms all with air conditioning, satellite television, in-house movies, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, IDD telephone, and a bathroom with separate bath and shower. There is a full range of accommodation some designed for family vacations and other more suited for honeymooners. The resort has three swimming pools, a sports center with two floodlit tennis courts, fully equipped gymnasium and a snooker and darts area. There is a full-service spa and sauna. Nighttime attractions include sunset cocktails, karaoke and evening entertainment from the resident band. For late night fun, the hotel operates a shuttle bus to Patong. There are seven different bars and restaurants on site offering different cuisines. Contact details: 8/21 Moo 1 Tambon Karon,
Cape Panwa Hotel
Away from the crowds and beach vendors, this hotel is situated on a hill above a beach at the southern tip of Phuket. Tha
nks to its protected location, swimming and water sports are available year round. There is a choice of rooms or suites and the very special and expensive Panwa Lodge, a three-bedroom mansion that is right on the beach and has its own swimming pool.
All the accommodation here is air-conditioned and has satellite television, high-speed Internet access, DVD player, IDD telephone, in-room safe, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobes and slippers, 24-hour room service and a private balcony with a double sun bed.
Among the attractions here are free SCUBA lessons and the beachfront swimming pool, Thai cooking classes, Thai language lessons and a fitness center. The hotel has its own motor yacht for charters to nearby islands. There is a choice of five restaurants and bar with a full range of menus. Contact details: 27 Moo 8 Sakdidet Road,
This was formerly the Rydges Beach Resort and it is a pleasant unassuming three-
story resort with 255 rooms in the Laguna area. Big plus factor is that all the water sports on Bang Tao beach are included in the room rate – sail boats, canoes and snorkeling equipment. Try for a room in the new royal wing. Expect to pay $130 a night with breakfast included. All the accommodation is air conditioned and fully equipped and the 24-hour front desk has information on all the tour on and off the island. The resort has two large swimming pools, two restaurants, a pool and a lobby bar and has room service from 6.30 until
The Royal Puravarna Phuket Yacht Club
This was the first five-star resort to be built on Phuket and is has played host to royalty and numerous celebrities over its 20-year life. It was formerly the Royal Meridien Phuket Yacht Club. The property overlooks
The resort is now a Puravarna resort and has undergone a major transformation of its public areas and 110 rooms. All the rooms and suites have spacious patios with spectacular views of the ocean.
Since this is the southwestern tip of the island, you are removed from many of the major tourist areas. The hotel does operate a shuttle into The 24-hour front desk can also organize tours, find you a rental car, and provide information on the island attractions and events.
The resort has always attracted many repeat European clients. Time will tell if they continue to stay here now that the ownership and operations have changed. Some of the lively night beach parties, which have been staged here, may not appeal to some of the former staid clients. The food and service here is superb and there will always be clients wanting to enjoy that.
Contact details:
Dusit Thani Laguna Beach Resort
Member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Dusit is one of the grand Laguna resorts and has bargain prices in the off-season at a fraction of their high season rack rate. The
The 226-room property has a choice of rooms and suites all decorated with native woods and tiles. Most have private balconies and views of the lagoon or the
of Phuket tourist sites including Wat Phra Tong and the Thalang
The hotel’s Angsana Spa offers a complete range of traditional and western spa treat
ments. The spa is open from
Dining options here include the Ruen Thai, serving genuine Royal Thai cuisine, the Casuarina Beach Restaurant and Pub, with seafood grilled on the beach, La Trattoria for Italian cuisine, the Laguna Café offering all day dining and the Poolside Café for snacks and drinks by swimming pool. The Horizon Lounge has cocktails and live music and stunning sunset views.
Other hotel service include bicycle rental, a business center, car rental and limousine service, fitness centre, foreign exchange, games room, beauty salon, a kids' club and playground, laundry service, library, pitch and putt golf, souvenir shop, Thai cooking classes and two tennis courts. Contact details:
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This small resort is in a great location perched over
Highlights of the hotel are the reasonable rates, around $100 a night, and the infinity pool that gives you great views while you swim. The property is within walking distance of shopping, bars and restaurants. Contact details:
All 100 rooms at this charming resort have private 
balconies, are set in lush tropical landscaping, and face
Room amenities include satellite television, minibar and refrigerator, in-room safe, coffee and tea making facilities and a hair dryer. The facilities include a beauty salon, spa, swimming pool, two restaurants and a games room. Outdoor massages are available as the picture on the right shows. Room service is available around the clock and the 24-hour front desk can arrange for babysitters and handle cu
rrency exchange. Contact details: 36/12 Moo 1,
Layan Beach Resort and Spa Village
This is a small and inexpensive hotel with a full range of activities. We have seen rates as low as $60 a night. It is worth checking their website for packages, which include either tours or a meditation vacation. The sixty rooms all have sea views and there is a spa and attractive pool on the premises. Internet rates have been as low as $60 per night for the high season. All the premier rooms have an oversized sunken bathtub in an indoor garden setting. There are two rooms directly on the beach. The amenities here include car rental, wireless Internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, a library, a meditation room, a mini-mart, currency exchange, the Cashew Nut Restaurant, and room service. Contact details: 62 Moo 6, Layan Village, Cherngtalay. Tel: 07631 3412, fax 07631 3415. www.layanphuket.com.
This is the only Karon hotel that is actually on the beach. All 80 rooms are well equipped and although not spacious they all face the sea and overlook the swimming pool, gardens and beach. Fine dining at the On The Beach Restaurant with a good selection of Thai and international dishes. The poolside bar and café keeps you at sea level for the entire day. High season rate just goes over $100 for the room and $6.50 for breakfast. There is a 1,300 Baht a night surcharge for stays over the Christmas Holidays. Among the ammonites are a sauna room, babysitting service, currency exchange, a tailor shop, laundry, beauty salon and barber shop and a fitness center. For early risers the coffee shop and room service begin service at
One facet we enjoyed was a street full of shops, bars and restaurants right outside the resort. Contact details: 120/5 Moo 4,
