Bang Tao is a great place to stay in Phuket, especially for those after relaxing beach time, family‑friendly vibes, or upscale environment. The area around Bang Tao, Laguna, and Cherngtalay are actually popular areas for expats in Phuket.
In this article, I will help you to look at some of the best places to stay in Bang Tao, which includes the best areas and best resorts. I will also outline the advantages and disadvantages of staying in Bang Tao. If you are looking for Where to stay in Bang Tao, keep reading.
As you can see from my website, I’ve traveled extensively throughout Thailand and had a great time exploring Phuket. Based on my firsthand experience, I’ll share my best tips and advice with you.
Where is Bang Tao?
Bang Tao Beach is located on the northwest coast of Phuket, between Surin and Nai Thon Beach. It is around 17km south of Phuket Airport, 17km north of Patong Beach, and 22 km north west of Phuket Old town.
Why should you stay in Bang Tao?
1. A Long Peaceful Beach
Bang Tao Beach is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, around 6km long. The beach has laid back atmosphere, golden sand, calm waters, and casuarina trees. It is an ideal place for relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying some watersport activities like jetskiing.
2. Luxury resorts
Bang Tao has a large selection of large luxury resorts where you can relax and unwind. If you just want to chill on the beach and enjoy the resort’s quality amenities, Bang Tao is an excellent choice.
Some 5-star resorts in Bang Tao include Banyan Tree, Mövenpick, Dusit, Twinpalms, and SAii Laguna. Most resorts have pools, fitness centers, spa services, restaurants, bars, and even a golf course.
3. Close Proximity to the airport
Compared to the beaches on the south, Bang Tao is relatively close to the airport. It is around 30 minutes drive from the airport depending on traffic. Phuket is known for its traffic jams, staying a bit closer to the airport helps you save time and money traveling between the airport and your hotel.
4. Family‑friendly atmosphere
Bang Tao is a family-friendly area to stay in Phuket. It has a relaxing atmosphere, a nice beach, and lots of kid-friendly resorts and apartments. These places offer kid-friendly swimming pools, kid clubs, playgrounds, and spacious connecting rooms.
Downside of staying in Bang Tao
1. Distance from Major Attractions
Bang Tao is relatively far away from South Phuket, where the majority of the island’s famous nightlife, shopping, and cultural attractions are located.
It will require more time and money on transportation if you plan to explore other parts of the island from Bang Tao. Phuket is known for its traffic jam and taxi gang, so keep this in mind.
Patong is around 30–40 minutes by car in a good traffic condition. Old Phuket Town, Big Buddha, Karon, Kata, Promthep Viewpoint are further away.
If you just relax and unwind and don’t like to venture too much to other areas of Phuket, this is an excellent choice. If you want to explore, you better stay in the more central area like Patong, Karon, or Kata.
2. Quiet Nightlife and no big shopping malls
The nightlife in Bang Tao is pretty quiet, with just a few bars and clubs compared to Patong, Kata, and Karon. It is not an ideal base for party-goers.
It has a good range of local restaurants, and shops but doesn’t have huge shopping malls and department stores like in Phuket Old Town or Patong.
3. Spread out
Bang Tao is a large area, so it is best to rent a car or scooter to get around and explore the island. If you want to access a range of tourist amenities, it is better to stay in the southern part of the beach, near Surin Village.
The central and northern of Bang Tao Beach are home to large resort complexes, and less within walking distance to local shops and restaurants.
Best Areas to Stay in Bang Tao
Bang Tao can be divided into three areas: the southern area, the central area, and the northern area. If you want an easy walk to local restaurants and bars, it is best to stay in the southern and central area. If you want a more secluded atmosphere, choose somewhere in the north area.
The southern area, next to Surin, has a good range of tourist amenities and lots of mid-range hotel options. The central area, or Laguna, is home to lots of luxury resorts, as well as some shops and restaurants.
The beach has golden grain sand with calm water. The shore is lined with casuarina trees, creating neutral shades. There are also several sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach from the beachfront restaurants and resorts.
My top hotel picks in Bang Tao:
- Luxury: SAii Laguna Phuket
- Mid-range: Arinara Beach Resort Phuket
- Budget: Bangtao Beach Chalet Resort
Best Places to stay in Bang Tao
1. Central Bang Tao
Most luxury resorts in Bang Tao are located in the central area of Bang Tao Beach, or the Laguna area. If you are after a luxury environment, you can consider one of the area’s world class resorts like Banyan Tree, Dusit Thani, Angsana, SAii Laguna, or Cassia Phuket.
This Laguna Complex has a huge lake, golf course, and upscale restaurants. The resorts are huge and they offer complimentary shuttle buses or boats to get around within the complex.
At the entrance of Laguna Phuket Resort Complex, you can find a couple of shopping malls like Boat Avenue, Tinlay Place, and The Fun Friday Avenue Night market.
There are plenty of restaurants, clothing stores, massage shops, and convenience stores around the Boat Venue. The night market is where you can find local street food, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
You can find beach clubs along the beachfront near the Laguna area. Some popular beach clubs include Xana Beach Club, Maya Beach Club, or Nomad Beach Club.
Bang Tao Central area is also home to Laguna Golf Phuket. This 18-hole golf course is a great place to visit for golf enthusiasts.
Where to stay in Bang Tao in the Central area:
Banyan Tree Phuket
Banyan Tree is one of the most popular 5-star luxury resorts in the Laguna area of Bang Tao. The resort has excellent services and quality amenities.
The resort has landscaped grounds with pools, tennis courts, gym, spa services, and comfortable accommodations. It offers 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartment style villas, which is spacious for families and couples. If you want more luxury, you can book one with a private pool.
You can use a water or bus taxi to get to nearby beach clubs and malls like Xana beach club and Canal village.
Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket
Dusit is a five star hotel located within the Laguna Phuket Resort Complex. You can stay in comfortable rooms, enjoy quality services, and still have easy access to various restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and shops.
Dusit has beautiful ground with tropical feels, large outdoor pools, and a lovely buffet breakfast with a variety of dishes for all ages and dietaries.
SAii Laguna Phuket
SAii is a beautiful 5-star beachfront hotel in Central Bang Tao. The resort has a huge outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea. There are lots of umbrellas and sunbeds around the pool.
You can easily walk to a range of beach clubs such as Maya Beach Club and Nomad Beach Club as well as restaurants and shops at Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket.
2. Southern Bang Tao
The southern area of Bang Tao is the great place to find more budget and mid-range options. This area also has lots of local restaurants, convenient stores, tailor shops, massage places. Some popular beach clubs like Carpe Diem and Catch Beach Club are located along southern Bang Tao Beach.
This area is home to Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA which is a great place to take training courses about Thai national sport.
The small local Bang Tao Night Market, located on Bang Tao Soi 2, is another highlight in Southern Bang Tao. It is only open on Monday and Thursday. It is a food spot to try local food and knock off products.
There are several elephant sanctuaries on the hilltop area near the Southern area of Bang Tao. If you are traveling with kids or just want to play with elephants, you can take a look at places like Elephant Wildlife Sanctuary or Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.
Where to stay in Bang Tao in the Southern area:
Arinara Beach Resort Phuket
This is a popular 4-star mid-range hotel in Bang Tao. The resort is close to the beach, so you can easily walk to the beach for swimming. There are also a range of famous beach clubs and restaurants near the resort.
It has a swimming pool with lots of sunbeds and umbrellas. Other services and amenities include 24-hour front desk, laundry service, gym, spa, and children’s room.
Bangtao Beach Chalet Resort
This is a budget-friendly resort located in the southern end of Bang Tao in a great area, an easy walk to the beach, restaurants, and bars. The resort has beautiful tropical gardens and relaxing surroundings. They offer compact rooms but have all basic amenities for a comfortable stay.
Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket
This 5-star beachfront resort is located in the southern area of Bang Tao. You can experience staying in luxurious tent-style accommodation with a comfortable bed.
Just be mindful that it is a tent so it’s not sound proofing, so if you’re a light sleeper, you might have trouble getting to sleep as the big beach club called Catch is located near the hotel.
3. Northern Bang Tao
Northern Bang Tao is a secluded area of Bang Tao. It is also home to numerous luxury resorts and apartments. You can find accommodations along the beachfront or on the main road 4018.
This area has less amenities than the south and central area of Bang Tao. It is overall a good base to relax and unwind, away from it all. It is best to rent a scooter or a car when staying here for explore other parts of the area and around the island.
The Northern Bang Tao area is only a short drive from other beautiful beaches such as Banana Beach and Nai Thon Beach.
Where to stay in Bang Tao in the Northern area:
Kora Beach Resort Phuket
This 5-star upscale resort in the northern end of Bang Tao Beach. The resort has excellent service with a great pool, fitness center, good breakfast, and comfortable rooms.
Take note that there is nothing much within walking distance from the resort, so you can relax at the resort’s amenities, or take a taxi/ rental scooter to get to the restaurants and shops.
La Green Hotel and Residence
This is a good place to stay in the Northern area of bang Tao. It offers all kinds of accommodation to solo travelers, couples, families, or big groups of friends who just want to relax. It has good amenities for long term stay. The resort offers free shuttle services to the beach and the shops.
The Pavilions Phuket
This 5-star hotel is located along 4018 road on the northern area of Bang Tao Beach. If you enjoy tranquility and luxury, this resort is a great choice. The resort is in a quiet remote location but it offers a free shuttle to Layan Beach and Laguna shopping mall.
See more:
So there you have it, some of the best areas and hotels to stay in Bang Tao Beach of Phuket. It is a large beach town in north phuket that offers a long quiet beach and a lot of luxurious massive resorts and golf courses. If you are looking for a luxury beach holiday close to the airport, Bang Tao is an excellent choice on the island.