Nestled in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s southwest coast, Phuket has stood the test of time as the perfect easy-going vacation spot for sun, sand, and sea. The best way to enjoy the island is at one of the beachfront properties below, where you can swim and snorkel at leisure in between enjoying Michelin-starred meals and award-winning massages. From iconic Amanpuri to niche art-haven Iniala Beach House (the Kardashians’ property of choice), here are the best luxury properties to book for your next trip.
Trisara
Trisara, on the northwestern coast near Naithon Beach, is an award-winning, Michelin-key resort that lives up to its Sanskrit name, “The Garden in the Third Heaven.” The tranquil and lush hideaway is a quick 20-minute drive from the airport and is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and do absolutely nothing. The infinity pool villas with panoramic sea views offer unparalleled privacy, a jam-packed activity menu, an engaging team of fitness and water-sport experts, and the only private beach and Michelin-star restaurant in Phuket put it in a league of its own. The 47-metre multi-tiered saltwater pool is perfect for laps, a Muay Thai session is the best way to stay fit, and a visit is incomplete without a treatment at the Jara Spa that was built around a centuries-old sacred Ficus tree. PRU, Phuket’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, offers zero-waste hyper-local tasting menus by chef Jimmy Ophorst, while chef Rick Dingen at Jampa, with its Michelin Green Star, serves farm-to-table lunches at Hideaway by Jampa on weekends.
60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand; trisara.com
Amanpuri
Chic and peaceful Amanpuri has been setting the tone for luxury in Phuket since it opened in 1988 as the first Aman property. Designed by Ed Tuttle, the resort’s aesthetic is iconic, often imitated but never replicated. The pavilions and villas are nestled into the hillside of this former coconut plantation site that overlooks the Andaman Sea, and Garden Pool Pavilions 103 and 105 with ocean views are a favourite with #AmanJunkies. The signature midnight-blue tiled swimming pool, sky-high skinny palm trees, sprawling staircase, and yellow umbrellas still make for quite an entrance even after all these years. Thai, Italian, and Japanese favourites are served up at different restaurants around the resort, and healthy menus are available upon request. Wellness has been a serious focus for the group in recent years, and Novak Djokovic came on board as the group’s first global wellness advisor in 2024. Whether you’re looking for a 3-day detox retreat with IV infusions and EmSculpt, a restorative meditation session in the jungle-immersed glass sala, want to play tennis with a pro, or just get a fantastic massage, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Their newest toy, the Aman35 MTI speedboat, keeps things fast and fresh for returning guests.
Pansea Beach, 18/1 Moo 6 Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand; aman.com
Rosewood Phuket
Village-like Rosewood Phuket’s design was conceptualised by renowned Melbourne-based BAR Studio and Bangkok landscape architects PLA. The result is a sophisticated yet relaxed homage to its lush surroundings where nature is the star of the show. 71 villas and residences feature private pools, terraces, and the rooms and hotel layout are particularly perfect for multigenerational groups and families. There are numerous swimming pools of varying depths laid out like a mosaic in front of the 600-metre stretch of beach, a genius plan that offers pockets of privacy even during high season. While the style of the resort follows Rosewood’s signature “sense of place” aesthetic, Thai influences are more subtle here in the form of locally sourced teak, 100% locally sourced ingredients at local restaurant Ta Khai, and incredible Thai massages at Asaya. It is also one of the most virtuous places to stay in Phuket thanks to a visionary healthy breakfast menu and LEED Gold Certification with 1,200 solar panels generating 15% of its energy. The exceptionally curated hotel boutique is a great excuse to pack light, and the experiences menu will make you want to explore the best of Phuket.
88/71 Moo 3, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand; rosewoodhotels.com
Iniala Beach House
Michelin-key Iniala Beach House on Natai Beach is a surreal art estate founded by Mark Weingard, offering 10 avant-garde accommodation options, including three beachfront villas, a penthouse, and one-bedroom suites, and is best enjoyed via a full buyout. Villa Bianca, at the heart of the property, is a three-bedroom modern sculptural home featuring an infinity pool facing the Andaman Sea, a Matryoshka sculptural bed, and a sunken jacuzzi. The expansive private art collection includes a restaurant covered in blue and white porcelain by award-winning Brazilian designers Humberto and Fernando Campana, and a bed by Irish furniture maker Joseph Walsh worth US$200,000 in a room favoured by Kim Kardashian. Anaalā, under chef Ian Kittichai, elevates Thai cuisine with family-style dishes, while Aulis Phuket, Simon Rogan’s 15-seat Michelin-starred chef’s table helmed by chef Charlie Wilson, crafts hyper-local tasting menus. Rogan’s farm-to-table approach, honed at his acclaimed L’Enclume in the UK, shines through in partnerships with local producers and a commitment to seasonality, earning the restaurant its first Michelin star in November 2024, less than a year after opening.
40/14 Moo 6, Natai Beach, Khok Kloi, Takua Thung, Phang Nga 82140, Thailand; inialathailand.com
Sava Beach Villas
Sava Beach Villas on Natai Beach, managed by The Luxe Nomad, is home to seven ultra-luxurious properties ranging from 6,000 to 9,000+ square feet, set on a pristine stretch of sand. The four to seven-bedroom villas are designed with personalisation and comfort in mind, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, open-plan layouts, huge lawns, infinity pools, large rooms, and a shared gym. No two homes are the same, and a variety of amenities sets each one apart. Some standout features include Villa Tievoli’s spa room, Villa Cielo’s vast outdoor playground and trampoline, and Villa Malee Sai’s Pétanque lawn. The dedicated team, which includes a villa manager, private chef, housekeeping staff, and childminders upon request, can assist with everything from a beachside BBQ Thai feast to massages, cultural excursions, and boat trips.
27/13 Moo 6, Natai Beach, Khok Kloi, Takua Thung, Phang Nga 82140, Thailand; savabeachvillas.com
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Dervla LouliCredit
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