The Most Budget-Friendly Hotels in Phuket

The rooms at Pek House may be fairly small and basic, but the low nightly prices for a double-fan room are about as cheap as you’ll find for a private ensuite. If the heat is too much, upgrade for air conditioning. Free wifi is available throughout the property and you can pay extra for a continental breakfast or airport pickup. It’s a clean and comfortable base for budget backpackers and just a 15-minute walk from Rassada Pier.

The Little Moon Residence has a colourful facade and spacious rooms in soothing pale and neutral shades. If you’re looking for a place to simply lay your head and store your things while you’re out exploring, partying or lazing on the beaches, these budget rooms could be perfect. They don’t have a window or a balcony, but are air conditioned and have a private bathroom, fridge and cable TV. A rollaway bed can be provided for a third guest, too. The hotel has an on-site bar/café, but as it’s within walking distance of Bangla Road, Patong Beach and Jungceylon Mall, there are plenty of eating and drinking options in the locale.

Patong Seaside Mansion is a cosy budget hotel just steps from the beach and around a 10-minute walk from the bars, clubs and flashing lights of Bangla Road. Rooms are beautifully decorated with typical Thai designs and have a private bathroom, dresser and desk. Although the air-conditioned king-sized rooms have basic amenities (such as a fridge, kettle and cable TV) the real selling point for this place is the terrific location. Once settled in, you won’t need to spend anything on transport unless you want to explore more of the island. There’s even an on-site restaurant if you just don’t feel like going far.

For a great low price, you can check into an attractive ensuite private room in Phuket’s pulsating Patong. With just 16 guest rooms, the atmosphere here is quiet and relaxed. Both Patong Beach and Bangla Road are within a 15-minute walk, putting you close to the action. Superior rooms have a private balcony and a king-sized bed. Travelling trios or families can also request a fold-away single bed. Basic conveniences, such as a kettle and fridge, are provided, and rooms have a TV and desk.

Sabaidee Residence might look normal from the outside, but the air-conditioned rooms are comfortable with soft beds and plush pillows, ample storage space, a dresser/desk, and conveniences such as a mini-fridge, cable TV and free toiletries. The private balcony even provides outdoor space where you can chill and soak up the city views. The two single beds make it perfect for pals who want to explore Phuket Town and enjoy the historic Sino-Portuguese architecture. Many attractions, including the Phuket Trickeye Museum, are within walking distance, and it’s close to public transportation links.

Baan Nueng@Kata is a beautiful place to unwind and soak up the sun in Kata, one of Phuket’s popular beach areas. The hotel has a sizeable swimming pool and is also within a 20-minute walk of both Karon and Kata beaches. Culture lovers can easily discover the Big Buddha of Phuket and other nearby attractions including Dino Park Mini Golf and Kata Porpeang Market. The family-friendly hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar plus in-room child-minding services. Superior rooms can accommodate two adults and one child (with a rollaway bed option) and have an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, TV, and fridge. Connecting rooms are available for larger families.

Kata On Sea has a variety of cosy air-conditioned ensuite bungalows for up to five people. Lounge on your balcony and enjoy views of the lush gardens. The hotel has a lovely pool, with a separate area for children, and sunbathing terrace, plus you can book a range of trips to explore other parts of Phuket. The resort is located between the Big Buddha and the beaches of Karon and Kata.

Nature Park Resort is a quiet family-friendly spot in a semi-remote part of Patong. The beach can be reached within 30 minutes by foot, but the calm resort, complete with beautiful gardens and an outdoor pool, may entice you to stay in more than you planned. There’s a restaurant-bar with a pool table and you can enjoy some al fresco cooking with the barbecue grills. Accommodation is in cute air-conditioned bungalows, each ensuite with a separate seating area and basic kitchenette. One- and two-bedroom accommodations are available.

Aquarius Gay Guesthouse & Sauna is a top choice for members of the LGBTQ community who want a relaxed and welcoming stay close to the beach, nightlife and diverse dining options of buzzing Patong. Various room options are available. You can mingle in the two hotel bars, take a dip in the indoor pool or hot tub, sunbathe on the roof terrace, or work out in the gym. Massages are available for a surcharge. Rooms are ensuite with a fridge, TV and safe.

Simple and traditionally Thai hotel, Princess Kamala, sits in palm-shaded gardens, just across the road from Kamala Beach. More laid-back than its southern sister, Patong, this sandy bay is good for surfers of all levels (waves get more advanced the further north you go). Deluxe rooms cluster around a lagoon-style pool. Don’t miss the Night Market on Mondays and Tuesdays – you can’t go wrong with barbecue chicken skewers followed by chilli-spiced pineapple.

The great-value studios and suites at Hill Myna Condotel feature floor-to-ceiling windows and kitchenettes. It’s a 30-minute walk to Bang Tao Beach, but the hotel runs a free shuttle service if you don’t fancy strolling through the tropical heat. Swerve the much-touted Phuket FantaSea theme park (which includes performing elephants and caged tigers) for a more sustainable attraction – the responsible Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is worth the schlep to the island’s east coast.

You get a lot of bang for your baht at this Patong boutique. Sure, the standard rooms have no windows, but they’re brightly-lit, clean, secure and stylish – and the hotel’s on a quiet street. The beach is a 10-minute walk away, while Bangla’s clubs and bars are a little further. You can rent a motorbike direct from Memory (try to wangle a discount on their fuel) to get to the likes of Phuket’s Big Buddha statue and colourful old town.

With super clean, private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, and double-bed capsules within its dorms, Borbaboom Poshtel is ideal for budget-conscious couples looking for a social atmosphere. Some of old town Phuket’s best museums and heritage sights are within a 1km radius; save time for the Thai Hua Museum – if you can drag yourself away from the hotel’s cute rooftop pool, that is.

You’re not wearing rose-tinted glasses – The Tint at Phuket town really is pastel pink, and a whole array of other cotton-candy shades. The sweet-shop colour scheme and saccharine wall motifs (‘World without cake is like life without love’) will set you up for sweet dreams, the staff are genuinely helpful and the great-value rooms are sparkling clean. The old-town centre is a few minutes’ walk away – don’t miss the Indy night market just next door.

Z Nite has all the hallmarks of a designer hostel, from the digital-nomad-friendly cafe on the ground floor (think polished concrete, exposed brick and potted plants galore) to the comfortable four-bed dorms upstairs. Sino-colonial mansion, Chinpracha House, and Phuket’s other old-town highlights are a 15-minute walk away – borrow a bike from your hosts to speed things up.

The rooms at Recenta style are cheap, cheerful and clean, and the courtyard pool flanked by a vertical garden is a fine place to cool off. Be warned: neighbouring bars can be a little noisy – bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Want to see the sights beyond the old town? Don a sarong, cover your shoulders and take a 15-minute drive south to see the many golden Buddhas on display at Wat Chalong, the island’s most dazzling temple complex.

Ok Chic Boutique Hostel features snug private rooms with shared bathrooms, and four-bed dorms with privacy curtains, personal power points and lockers large enough to fit a whole backpack. In the mood for souvenir shopping? Pick up a handmade leather purse or satchel at the hostel’s lobby boutique, or head north to the trendy Chillva Market, where you’ll find shipping-container stores and, from Thursday to Saturday, a busy flea market.