If you are looking for a quiet beach town to stay in Phuket, Nai Harn is a good choice. It is a small beach town located in the far Southern part of Phuket that has a beautiful beach and relaxing atmosphere.
In this article, we will be looking at the best places to stay in Nai Harn, including the overviews of areas in Nai Harn and some of the best hotels and resorts in this area. I also explain some reasons why you should stay in Nai Harn and some downsides of staying here.
I traveled extensively around Thailand, and during my time in Phuket, I rented a scooter to explore the island. The scooter took me to many parts of Phuket, including Nai Harn and its surrounding areas and attractions. I hope to share some of the best advice from my personal experience and knowledge.
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Where is Nai Harn?
Nai Harn is a small beach town located on the southern western end of Phuket. It is around 47km south of Phuket International Airport, and 18km south of Patong, and 16km south west of Phuket Old Town.
Nai Harn is the area that includes the 700m long Nai Harn Beach, Nai Harn Lake, Nai Harn Temple, and Ao Sane Beach. Nearby attractions are Cape Krathing, Black Rock Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint, Promthep Cape Viewpoint, and Rawai Beach.
Why should you stay in Nai Harn?
1. Relaxed atmosphere
Unlike other busier beaches like Patong, Karon, and Kata, Nai Harn has a more relaxing atmosphere. If you are looking for a quiet place on the beach, Nai Harn is a good choice in Phuket.
Nai Harn has a small town vibe with several local restaurants and shops and some good beach resorts. It is more relaxed, more local, less overdeveloped than other more famous towns like Patong.
Nai Harn doesn’t have much nightlife, which is good for relaxing and unwinding. If you want nightlife, you can head to the nearby town Rawai, located 5 minutes Grab taxi ride from Nai Harn.
2. Good Beach
The beach at Nai Harn is small but has quite sandy and clean water. It is an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, chilling, and snorkeling. The small Ao Sane Beach, located a few minutes walk to the north west of Nai Harn, is a good spot for snorkeling and relaxing.
From Nai Harn, you will be a short drive away from other beaches such as Yanui Beach, which is another good spot for swimming and snorkeling. Other beaches like Kata Noi, Kata, Karon, and Patong are also relatively close to Nai Harn.
3. Good base to explore South Phuket
Located at the southern tip of Phuket, Nai Harn is a good base to explore the beaches and attractions in the South of the island. Lots of famous viewpoints are close to Nai Harn like Promthep Cape Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint, and Black Rock Viewpoint.
Other cultural attractions and beaches such as Big Budhha, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town, Kata, Karon, and Parong are also relatively close to Nai Harn. It is just a short taxi ride to travel from Nai Harn to these places for beaches, nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing.
Downside of Staying in Nai Harn
It is a small and quite remote beach town, so there are limited nightlife, shopping, and dining options. However, there are a range of local shops and minimart for a comfortable stay. You can also travel to nearby Rawai for more tourist amenities or nightlife.
Nai Harn is probably the furthest beach town from Phuket airport, which takes more time and cost to get from the airport. You are still able to get a metered taxi, and other riding shares services like Grab, Bolt, and Indrive but there are no local buses serving this area.
Best areas to stay in Nai Harn
The three main areas to stay in Nai Harn are the beachfront areas, the area around Nai Harn Lake, and the area around the island’s main road 4030 running through Nai Harn.
If you want to stay right on the beach, Nai Harn has several nice beachfront resorts for you to book. These are The Nai Harn, Naiharn On The Rock Resort, and Baan Krating Phuket Resort. Staying right on the beach means you’ll need to pay a little extra for its location.
There are also several resorts, hotels, and apartments complexed at Nai Harn Lake. This area is within walking distance to the beach. Some popular hotels around Nai Harn Lake are Wyndham Grand Nai Harn, Naiharn Beach Resort, and Sunsuri Phuket.
A bit further from the beach, you can choose to stay in the more inland area along 4030, which is one of the island’s main roads. This area has good access to both Nai Harn Beach, Rawai Beach, and other popular beaches like Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon.
My top hotel picks in Nai Harn Beach:
- luxury: The Nai Harn
- Luxury: Wyndham Grand
- Mid-range: Naiharn Beach Resort
Best Places to Stay in Nai Harn
1. The Nai Harn Beachfront area
The Nai Harn Beachfront area has several resorts for you to stay. Most of them are located on the northern end part of the beach.
Nai Harn Beach is a 600m long beach with white sand and clean water. It is a good spot for swimming, sunbathing, watching the sunset, chilling, paddle boarding, and snorkeling.
The beach has facilities such as umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. You can also rent watersport equipment such as snorkeling gear, kayak, and SUP boards. There are also several massage places along the shore where you can have a relaxing beach massage.
The beach road is lined with shades. There are vendors selling street food, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs. There are also a few bars, restaurants, and shops along the beach road, and the road to Nai Harn Lake.
If you like hiking, you can find a coastal trail starting from the northern end of Nai Harn Beach. Along the trail, you can check out Ao Sane Beach, Cape Krathing, Black Rock Viewpoint, and Nui Beach.
Where to stay in the Nai Harn Beachfront area:
The Nai Harn
The Nai Harn Resort is one of the best places to stay in Nai Harn. It is a 5-star luxury hotel located right on a prime location just northern end of Nai Harn Beach. You can easily access the beach and numerous restaurants and shops along the beach and on the way to the lake.
The resort has a nice swimming pool overlooking the sea as well as a beachfront restaurant and bar. You can book the room with a seaview for the best experience. You can consider renting a scooter if you want to explore other parts of the island more freely.
Naiharn On The Rock Resort Phuket
This is a 2-star beachfront resort near Nai Harn Beach and Ao Sane Beach. The resort has a remote location and amazing views of the ocean. It is a good budget-friendly base for a quiet beach holiday. The resort has a comfortable room, an onsite convenience store and restaurant serving good food.
Baan Krating Phuket Resort
Baan Krating is located in a bit of an isolated area, 5 minutes drive from the northern end of Nai Harn Beach. If you want to relax and unwind, this mid-range hotel is a good choice. It is best to rent a scooter though if you want to avoid walking. The hotel offers a shuttle to Nai Harn Beach.
From Baan Krating, you can find a coastal trail to Cape Krathing, Black Rock Viewpoint, and Nui Beach. If you like hiking, you must check this trail. Amenities at Baan Krating include an outdoor swimming pool, private beach, and full of greenery.
2. Around Nai Harn Lake
There are several resorts, hotels, and apartments around Nai Harn Lake. This area has easier access to the shops, 7-Eleven, bakeries, and restaurants. It is just a few minutes walk from Nai Harn Beach.
Nai Harn Lake is a huge lake around 500m long and 300m wide. It is a tranquil place to relax. There is a park with lots of green trees in the southern end of the lake. The park is a popular place to hangout, exercise, and picnic. It is also the location of the famous Loi Kra Thong festival.
Opsite Nai Harn Lake is the local Wat Nai Harn. This Buddhist temple offers a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful architecture. You can visit and look around while in this area.
Where to stay in Nai Harn around the lake:
Wyndham Grand Nai Harn Beach
This is one of the most popular places to stay in Nai Harn. It is located on Soy Naya, 2 minutes walk to Nai Harn Lake, 10 minutes walk to Nai Harn Beach. You can also easily walk to restaurants, bars, convenient stores, and motorbike rentals along the lake road.
In terms of amenities, Wyndham Grand has a large outdoor swimming pool with lots of umbrellas and sunbeds. It has comfortable rooms, great breakfast and a free shuttle to the beach if you don’t want to walk.
Sunsuri Phuket
Sunsuri is a 5-star lakefront hotel located in Nai Harn, 5 minutes walk from the beach. The resort is a good base for families and couples. It has multiple outdoor pools, including a kids pool. Other facilities include a kids club, family-connecting rooms, 24-hour front, a gym, and a spa.
It is located on the hillside area, which has lots of stairs. There are lifts at some parts like the wings area and buggies to help you get around the hotel’s complex. It might not be the best choice for those with mobility problems.
Naiharn Beach Resort
This is a 3-star hotel and a budget-friendly option in Nai Harn. It has a good location for a 10 minutes walk to Nai Harn Beach. It is also close to various restaurants, shops, and a 7-11. The hotel has a pool with sunloungers, as well as a fitness center, and restaurant.
3. Around Nai Harn 4030 Road
Road 4030 is one of the main roads on Phuket. It runs along the west coast of the island, connecting popular beaches like Bang Tao, Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Nai Harn, Yanui, and Rawai.
There are several resorts and lots of small guest houses along and around Road 4030 in the Nai Harn area. You can stay a bit inland for a cheaper price but still within 5 minutes drive to Nai Harn Beach. Nai Harn’s Road 4030 is also packed with restaurants, bars, shops, gyms, and convenient stores.
Where to stay in Nai Harn’s 4030 Road:
- Luxury: Le Resort and Villas
- Mid-range: Phuket Riviera Villas Hotel
- Budget: One World One Home Naiharn Hotel
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I hope you have found a good place to stay in Nai Harn after reading this article. The town is located far south of Phuket but offers a relaxing atmosphere which is ideal for a peaceful beach holiday.