If you are looking for a peaceful beach holiday in Phuket, you can consider staying in Naithon. This is a small quiet beach town located in the northern tip of the island, very close to the airport.
In this article, I will help you to look at some of the best places to stay in Nai Thon, which includes the best areas and best resorts and hotels in this area. I also share my opinion on why you should stay in this area and some of the disadvantages of staying here.
If you’re looking for Where to stay in Nai Thon, keep reading.
Where is Nai Thon Beach?
Nai Thon Beach is part of Sirinat National Park, located in the north western coast of Phuket. It is south of Naiyang Beach and Mai Khao Beach and north of Bang Tao and Banana Beach.
Nai Thon is around 11km from Phuket International Airport, 46km north of Patong, and 40 km from Phuket Old Town.
Why should you stay in Nai Thon Beach?
1. Quiet, peaceful & less crowded beach holiday
Nai Thon has a much more tranquil atmosphere compared to other beaches on Phuket like Patong, Karon, and Kata. The beach is about 1km long and not very crowded, so you can enjoy swimming without too many people around.
2. Proximity to the airport
Nai Thon is located only around 11km from the airport, which is convenient to travel from and to the airport from the town. The travel time between the airport and Nai Thon is around 20-30 minutes.
Phuket’s traffic is notorious, so getting around from areas like Patong, Karon, or Kata could take anywhere from an hour to two. Staying in Nai Thon means you can reduce time traveling between the airport and your hotel.
3. Family-friendly destination
Nai Thon has a family-friendly beach, quiet atmosphere, and family-friendly resorts, which is great for families who want a quiet beach holiday. You still have good access to all other tourist amenities like convenient stores, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, and travel agencies.
4. Good base to explore north Phuket
Nai Thon’s location on the north west coast makes it a great base to explore the northern part of the island. From Nai Thon, you can explore nearby beaches like Banana Beach, Mai Khao Beach, and Bang Tao Beach.
Downside of staying in Nai Thon Beach
1. Quite distance from other popular beaches
Nai Thon is located quite far from other popular areas like Patong, Karon, Kata, and Phuket Old Town. It will take around 1-2 hours by car depending on traffic.
It is not ideal if you want to use it as a base to explore other popular beaches and towns in the southern part of the island. Transportation costs can add up, and it also takes more time to travel.
Nai Thon is overall a good choice for those who want relaxing and unwind and dont want or dont mind taking a long trip to other popular places on Phuket.
2. Limited Nightlife and Infrastructure
Nai Thon doesn’t have big shopping malls, huge night markets, or wild nightlife, compared to other beaches on the island like Patong, Karon, or Kata.
It still has decent tourist amenities for a comfortable stay though, just not many options for large malls, fancy shopping, or major international retailers.
It has a slow pace of life and is pretty quiet at night. If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, you can look at other popular beaches.
Best areas to stay in Nai Thon Beach
There are two best areas to stay in Nathon which include Nai Thon Beach, and Banana Beach. If you want easy access to all tourist amenities, you can book a hotel right on Nai Thon Beach Road.
Banana Beach is a small lovely beach located around 1.5 km south of Nai Thon Beach. There are a couple of upscale resorts near Banana Beach, which offer a more secluded atmosphere. These resorts offer private beaches with tropical settings and a luxurious ambiance.
Nai Thon Beach is relatively small, around 1km long and 50 m width at high tide. The beach has grain golden yellow sand, clean water, and a laid back atmosphere. It is a good place for chilling, sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
The beach has lots of shade from the tall pine trees along the shore. There are just a few sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, unlike the rows of umbrellas on other beaches like Patong or Kata.
The Beach Road (Road 4018) running along the beach is home to various tourist amenities like the restaurants, bars, shops, street food stalls, massage parlors, and minimarts.
Most shops and hotels are located on one side of the Beach Road opposite the beach. There are not many properties blocking the way to the beach, so it is open and very easily accessible to the public.
You can choose to stay along the Beach Road, and some of the hotels located a little back from Beach Road, but still 5-10 minutes walk to the beach. There are just a couple of hotels and resorts located right on the beach.
The southern area of the beach is quieter than the northern and central area of the beach. At the southern end, you can hike down to the beach via the long wooden staircases. It seems to be a popular spot for Instagrammers.
6 Best Places to stay in Nai Thon beach
1. Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach
Pullman is one of the best places to stay in Nai Thon, a short drive from the airport and an easy walking distance to a quiet beach. This is a 5-star luxury resort with beautiful ground with jungle setting, outdoor swimming pool with sunbeds and umbrellas, and comfortable rooms.
It has multiple onsite restaurants where you can try local dishes as well as international food such as Mexican or Italian food. Rooms are spacious, clean, and have stunning views of the sea. It is ideal for families and couples who are looking for a calm and relaxing holiday.
The resort is located on a hill, which means it has stunning views. However, there is a downside, some rooms require climbing stairs or slopes, which might be challenging for guests with mobility issues. The hotel provides buggies to help guests get around.
2. Naithonburi Beach Resort
This is a 4-star mid-range resort located right on the Nai Thon Beach Road, which is very convenient to access to the beach and all other tourist amenities. You will be close to everything.
In terms of amenities, this resort has well-mainted ground with an onsite restaurant, 2 pools, a gym, and a nice garden. The rooms come with basic amenities such as a fridge, safety box, and a desk, a kettle, and a fridge. It is overall a good base for those who want to be in the heart of Nai Thon.
3. Sealord Naithon Beachfront Villa
This is a good mid-range hotel located along Nathon Beach Road. It is set on the quiet corner right on the beach. You can have direct access to the beach and a short walk to a range of restaurants, massage shops, minimarts, and ATMs.
These accommodations offer well equipped villas with all amenities such as toiletries, beach towels, insect spray, and a fridge with free bottles of water.
4. Wyndham Garden Naithon Phuket
This is a modern hotel located in a pretty central location in Naithong, close to everything. It is also only 15 minutes drive from the airport, which is convenient for those who want to catch an early flight or arrive late.
You can easily walk to the beach, the market on the beach promenade, and a range of other facilities on the Beach Road. The resort has spacious rooms with comfortable beds, a pool, and a fitness center. Breakfast has a wide range of dishes.
5. Andaman White Beach Resort
This 4-star beachfront resort is located in a secluded area between Nai Thon Beach and Banana Beach. It is a huge complex with a large swimming pool area overlooking the sea and a private beach.
It is a great base for relaxing and unwind. You can consider renting a scooter or a car if you want to explore other parts of Phuket.
6. Trisara Villas & Residences Phuket
This 5-star hotel is located in a peaceful location, surrounded by greenery and cool atmosphere. The resort has beautiful rooms and a pool overlooking the ocean.
It also has a gym, a spa, a tennis court, and outdoor dining area. It is a great place to relax and unwind, but if you want to explore the island, you can consider renting a scooter or a car.
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So you have it, my hand-picked list of the best areas and best accommodations in Nai Thon. I hope you found a great place to stay in this peaceful beach town in the northern part of Phuket.