Perfect Patong Beach resorts for a slice of paradise in Phuket

Thanks to whispering palm trees and perfume-heavy frangipanis, Baan Laimai Beach Resort transports guests from the bustling Phuket crowds into their own calm sanctuary. Cross the wooden bridge over the pool to claim your own lounger and umbrella for a day of sun-soaked relaxation. When you want to cool off, head to the thatched-roof swim-up bar for fresh juices and ice-cold beers.

For some thrilling action, book a trip to nearby ziplining course Flying Hanuman. After whizzing through the jungle canopy, visit the resort’s own spa for an organic coconut aromatic massage or lavender yoghurt body scrub. Sufficiently blissed out, you can finish the day with a cool tipple in your sleek guest room overlooking the garden or pool. If you’ve splashed out on a deluxe beachfront room, you can watch the waves crash on the shore from your private balcony.

Set on the absolute beachfront, Impiana Resort Patong Phuket has water views from every angle. By day, you can switch between the seaside lagoon pool and pristine white sands of Patong Beach. Come evening, watch the sunset with a cocktail in your hand at Beach Bar before tucking into a plate of classic Pad Thai. Alternatively, reserve a table at Mediterranean-inspired Sala Bua Restaurant and savour citrus-crusted sea bass, or sample fragrant Asian fusion dishes at 3 Spices.

To see the surrounding areas, ask resort staff to help you book an excursion to Phi-Phi and James Bond Islands by speedboat, stopping along the way for swimming or snorkelling in dazzlingly clear waters. If you and your travel companion fancy a day of pampering, visit the onsite Swasana Spa and indulge in a couples package. After an aroma foot scrub, Swasana massage and a Seri Dewi facial, your skin will be glowing and your body refreshed. All that remains is a tranquil night in your cabana-style room looking out over the sea.

A few kilometres south of Patong Beach, Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach is a self-contained choice for families seeking a touch of luxury. Set on Tri-Trang Beach, the resort boasts its own house reef – a private coral ecosystem teeming with Nemo-like clownfish and giant clams. A comprehensive Reef Education Centre lets you learn about this precious environment and get up close with its inhabitants. Explore tidal pools with the family or venture into deeper waters with a SCUBA diving expedition.

For an easy afternoon, watch the kids splash in the pool from your private poolside balcony. As the day wanes, head to a family open-air movie night or Lego competition. Take the next morning for yourself with complimentary yoga or guided meditation before the youngsters join a youth Zumba or hula hoop class. If you’re feeling energetic, you can try some Muay Thai or HIIT training – you’ll have nine delectable dining spots to choose from once you’ve worked up an appetite

Set in 36 acres of tropical gardens, Duangjitt Resort & Spa is just 200 metres from the seafront. Rooms, bungalows and villas all feature private balconies overlooking gardens or one of the swimming pools. Check into a spacious two-storey family suite for your own DVD Home Theatre to entertain the kids while you indulge in an uninterrupted soak in the Jacuzzi bath.

Daily buffet breakfast at Banburee Restaurant provides fuel for the family and caffeine for the adults. When the young ones head to Magical Mushroom Kids’ Club for a day of adventure, you’re free to lounge on the beach or escape to the onsite day spa. In a luxurious steam or sauna villa, lie back for a honey and sesame body treatment and an aroma seaweed facial to revitalise you from head to toe. In the evening, you can relish traditional dishes swimming in coconut cream and spices under a canopy of green vines at Thomthong Restaurant.

Located directly opposite Patong Beach, the DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort makes sure its guests are always surrounded by light and space. Couples seeking intimacy can stretch out on loungers on their room’s private terrace before diving straight into the sparkling lagoon pool.

If you’re travelling with family or friends, book into the expansive three-bedroom suite and spread out across two floors. When you’re not sharing drinks in bright, airy interiors, you can savour the sea breeze from your own exclusive plunge pool.

Stroll 10 minutes and you’ll find the vibrant nightlife of Bangla Road buzzing with neon lights and pumping bars. By day, you can see colourful houses and sample street food at Phuket Old Town, just a 30-minute drive away. On your return to the hotel, grab a table at The Port and dig into succulent seafood as the sun sets.

A two-minute walk from the beach, Patong Resort is centrally located so its guests can make the most of the lively area. Wander down to Jungceylon Shopping Mall to stock up on souvenirs, take in a movie at the nearby cinema or simply lounge next to one of the resort’s two outdoor swimming pools. Fascinating Old Phuket Town, where you’ll find historic shrines, temples and mansions, is a 36-minute drive away.

The whole family can flex their culinary muscles in the resort’s Thai cooking class, where you’ll pick up tips from a local chef to take back home. Or, let the youngsters get busy in the onsite kids’ club while you relax with a traditional Thai massage or sweet, milky coffee at the café. Round out the day with happy hour and live music in the lounge, sinking into a colourful armchair with a drink and some salty bar snacks.

Take a moment to enjoy the gentle sea breezes drifting through the lobby when you arrive at La Flora Resort Patong. After dropping your bags in your beachfront villa, nab a sunlounger beside the two shimmering lap pools and soak up some sunshine in style. When you’re in need of refreshment, head to The Surface bar on the rooftop for fruity cocktail and a plate of delicately slow-grilled meat.

You can keep up your fitness regime at the fully-equipped rooftop gym, then follow with a Royal Thai Massage – a series of strategic body stretches designed to increase flexibility – at the on-site spa. As for frivolity, take a 22-minute taxi ride to Phuket FantaSea Cultural Theme Park, where you’ll applaud a thrilling Thai-inspired display of pyrotechnics and acrobatics. If you decide to stay in for the evening, a sumptuous open-air feast of Thai cuisine, prime steak and freshly grilled fish awaits at the in-house restaurant, The Current of the Sea.

Positioned at the southern end of Patong Beach, Amari Phuket is an idyllic escape for couples and families alike. Spend some indulgent grown-up time at on-site Breeze Spa, where you’ll settle into a teakwood massage sala fragrant with aromatic oils. While you’re relaxing in an open-air spa bath overlooking the ocean, your youngsters will be kept busy at the kids’ club. They’ll learn about Thai culture, make their own handicrafts and swim in their own seafront pool.

If this is a romantic trip, you’ll want to book into the Ocean Wing. Start the day in your luxurious suite with room service in bed and a view over the water through floor-to-ceiling windows. After freshening up under the cascade of your rain shower, wrap up in a robe and welcome the morning from your tranquil balcony. If you’ve reserved a suite with access to The Club House, you can enjoy some private indulgence in the club’s exclusive infinity pool, restaurant and fitness centre.