Hotels in Phuket Town

Phuket Town: Sino-Portuguese Architecture and Old Quarter Streets

Phuket Town sits at the southeastern corner of Phuket island, roughly 15 km from Patong Beach. Founded in the 19th century by Straits-Chinese merchants who grew wealthy in the tin trade, the Old Town quarter retains over 200 Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, and Phang Nga Road. The annual Vegetarian Festival (October, nine days) fills these streets with firewalkers and street altars, drawing visitors from across Southeast Asia. Unlike the island's beach resorts, Phuket Town operates as a working administrative and commercial hub — markets, courts, and provincial government offices occupy the centre.

Where to Stay

Hotels in Phuket Town range from boutique heritage properties inside restored shophouses to business hotels near the fresh market on Ranong Road. The Old Town concentration — roughly a 1 km² grid — keeps most sights walkable. Budget guesthouses cluster on Phang Nga Road; 4-star options anchor the newer commercial strip toward the bus terminal.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (near the market) connects to Bangkok overnight buses; the airport is 32 km north.
• Getting around: Songthaew shared vans link the town to beaches; tuk-tuks are metered locally.
• Best timing: November–February brings dry weather and the Phuket Old Town Festival in February.
• Currency: ATMs are common on Phang Nga Road; most Old Town cafés accept cash only.