Phuket & Khao Lak

Thailand

Coastline: Rugged beaches and rainforest cliffs
Coast life: Cocktails and dreams

Dropped like a giant verdant pearl in the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, the gorgeous tropical island of Phuket is rightly one the most popular traveler’s destinations in Thailand.

As you approach Phuket by plane, you spy jungle-clad hills twisting across the island like green contorted dragons. Rapidly developing around – and even up – the mountains, Phuket has speedily got back to business after the dramatic horror show of the 2004 tsunami. Upon arrival, spend your time soaking up the sun, the sea and the sand in exquisite spa resorts or rented villas, then drift down to Phuket Town and its one-of-a-kind Sino-Portuguese colonial architecture.

Pictured: Sri Panwa

Boutique hotels in Phuket & Khao Lak

Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Phuket & Khao Lak

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Phuket & Khao Lak has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Eating, drinking & dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Phuket & Khao Lak. All you have to do is make sure you've packed your favourite threads…

Smith Maps

Here is the map of Phuket & Khao Lak; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.

Taxis: Flagging down cabs in Phuket is relatively hassle-free. Fares start at THB50 Three-wheeled tuk tuks are everywhere in Patong and Phuket Town, but are becoming ever more expensive. Feel free to negotiate for a round-trip rate if you’d like the tuk tuk to wait for you while you do some quick shopping/visiting tourist sites. Be prepared to pay upwards of THB150 an hour.
Tipping culture: A 10 per cent service charge may be added to your bill, but don’t assume this will get as far as the staff. A tip, where appropriate, is always welcome. For cabs, simply round it up to the nearest 10 or 20 baht.
Siesta and Fiesta: Phuket’s enthusiastic mercantilism means shops open on time. Some cafés and restaurants open as early at 8am to serve the breakfast crowd.
Packing tips: Your best shades. Spray-on tan and showy jewellery should help you get the footballers’ wives look before you get here. Beach yoga-wear for seaside stretchers. Men should bring Speedos, a six-pack – and consider some serious waxing.
Recommended reads: Thai Vignettes: Phuket and Beyond by Steve Rosse; The Travels of Mendes Pinto by Rebecca D Catz.
Cuisine: Succulent seafood from the Andaman Sea characterises food in Southern Thailand. Dishes are likely to be barbecued, marinated, and garnished with numerous herbs and spices. Southern Thais like their food spicier and they add fresh turmeric to curries to give them a distinctive yellow hue. Khanom cheen – rice noodles topped with fish-flake soup and served with a plate of fresh vegetables and fruits – is a popular breakfast dish.
Currency: Thai baht. £1 is approximately THB65.
Time zone: GMT +7
Dialing codes: Country code for Thailand: 66; area code for Phuket: 076. Remove the ‘0’ when calling from overseas.
Do go/don't go: Phuket is most alive from November to March. The endless sunshine sees crowds everywhere. Be prepared to pay significantly higher prices for rooms in this period, and make that dinner reservation early. When the lull hits during the monsoon season, expect slower service and more irregular opening hours at shops and eateries.