Where to Stay in Rawai Beach

In this article, I will help you to look at the best places to stay in Rawai, which include the best areas to stay and the best hotels and resorts in this area. If you are looking for a place to stay in Rawai, keep reading.

Rawai is one of a few beach towns located on the eastern coast of Phuket, along with Ao Yon Beach and Kao Khad Beach. This town is a popular expat hub in Phuket, offering a local atmosphere, great seafood scene, good amenities, and excellent base to explore the beaches and attractions on South Phuket.

See more:

Where is Rawai?

Rawai is a beach town located on the south eastern end of Phuket Island. It is around 50km from Phuket Airport, 16km from Phuket Old Town, and 20km from Patong.

Rawai is close to some famous beaches and attractions such as Yanui beach, Nai Harn Beach, Promthep Viewpoint, and Windmill Viewpoint.

Why should you stay in Rawai?

1. Local authenticity and more relaxed atmosphere

Compared to other famous beaches on the west coast like Patong, Karon, and Kata, Rawai has a more laid-back and local vibe. The town still retains much of its local charm, with traditional fishing villages, local markets, and authentic Thai cuisine.

2. Good seafood scene

Rawai has a seafood market with lots of stalls and restaurants selling varieties of fresh seafood. You can buy seafood at the seafood stalls and ask them to cook for an additional fee.

There are also many other seafood restaurants along the beach road 4030, with outdoor tables and chairs on the beach promenade. You can enjoy the meals and stunning views of the sea.

3. Good base to explore the southern tip area of Phuket

Rawai Beach is located on the south eastern part of Phuket, which is a great base to explore the south of the island. Lots of beautiful beaches and viewpoints just a few minutes taxi drive from Rawai such as Nai Harn Beach, Yanui Beach, Promthep Viewpoint, and Windmill Viewpoint.

Other popular beaches (Patong, Karon, Kata) and the old town are also relatively close to Rawai, within a 20km radius. Cultural attractions like Big Buddha and Wat Chalong are also within a short drive from Rawai.

4. Island Hopping

There are several islands off the coast of Rawai, which is great for a boat trip. Popular islands nearby include Koh Bon, Coral Island, Racha Yai island.

These islands are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and escaping from the tourist crowd. You can easily book boat trips from boat agencies on Rawai Beach Road.

Downside of Staying in Rawai

1. The Beach Isn’t Ideal for Swimming

Rawai Beach is not ideal for swimming. A large section of the beach is where long tail boats and speed boats docked. But within 5 minutes drive away, you can easily find two other beautiful beaches: Nai Harn Beach and Yanui Beach. These beaches are great for swimming and snorkeling.

2. Not as central as Patong, Karon, and Kata

Rawai is located far south of Phuket, around 50km from the airport. It is probably the last popular beach town on South Phuket. Traveling to the airport and other popular beaches like Patong, Karon, Kata can be more time-consuming and costly.

3. Can Feel Isolated

While it has all tourist amenities for a comfortable stay, it doesn’t have wild nightlife and big shopping malls or night markets like in Patong, Karon, Kata, or Phuket Old Town. If you don’t have transport, it can feel cut off from the rest of the island. It is best to rent a scooter or a car when staying in this area.

Best areas to stay in Rawai

Some of the best areas to stay in Rawai include Rawai Beach, the Soi Saiyuan area, and the Wiset Road area. You will have a range of mid-range and budget accommodations along Rawai Beach Road and Soi Siyuan area.

Soi Saiyuan is a popular area for expat and long-term travelers with lots of apartments and guest houses, as well as shops, restaurants, gyms, massage places for a comfortable long stay.

If you want a more luxurious stay, you can find a range of high-end beachfront resorts along Wiset Road and the area south of Chalong. This is a 5km long road connecting Rawai Beach and Chalong.

Take note that Rawai beach and the beach along Wiset Road are not ideal for swimming due to its shallow waters and a rocky, muddy seabed. There are several beachfront resorts along Wiset Road, where you can have direct access to the sand for a walk along the shore, or enjoy the views of the ocean.

My top hotel picks in Rawai:

Best places to stay in Rawai

1. The Rawai Beach area

There are lots of mid-range hotels, budget-friendly hotels and hotels, as well as apartment-style accommodation in and around Rawi Beach Road. These are also lined with wide range tourist amenities like shops, restaurants, bars, and travel agencies.

Staying in this area, you will have easy access to all tourist amenities, and close to other points of interest like Yanui Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Promthep Viewpoint, and Windmill Viewpoint.

Nai Harn beach does not have good conditions for swimming. It is where boats docked. You can book boats from here to get to nearby islands for swimming and snorkeling like Koh Bon island, and Coral island. The beach promenade is a great spot to enjoy the meals and the views of the sea.

On the northern end of Rawai Beach, you can find the Rawai Seafood Market. This is the most famous attraction in Nai Harn. It is a great place to eat fresh seafood and browse for some local souvenirs.

Where to stay in Rawai Beach:

Rawai Palm Beach Resort

This 4-star mid-range hotel is located at the southern end of Rawai Beach. It is a few minutes walk from the Beach Road where you can find a range of restaurants, bars, shops, and convenience stores.

The resort has a nice swimming pool area with a pool bar and lots of sunbeds and umbrellas for guests. They also have a great buffet breakfast with a wide variety of dishes. You can book rooms with pool access for the best experience.

Navatara Phuket Resort

Navatara is a good 4-star mid-range resort in Nai Harn, a short walk to the beach and a range of amenities. There are massage parlors, laundry shops, and a 7-eleven right next to the resort.

It is a good base to explore Nai Harn, Rawai, and Yanui. The resort offers a shuttle bus to Nai Harn beach for swimming and snorkeling, which is a bonus for those who don’t plan to rent a scooter.

In terms of amenities, Navatara has spacious and clean rooms, an outside swimming pool, and a nice ground. They also have an onsite cafe/ restaurant and lovely traditional breakfast.

Sandy House Rawai

This 2-star budget-friendly hotel is located a bit inland, 350m from Rawai Beach Road. They offer private rooms at reasonable prices, and free breakfast with toasts, fruits, juice, tea, and coffee.

2. The Soi Saiyuan area

The Soi Saiyuan is located a few minutes drive north of Rawai Beach. It is around 2.5km u-shaped road that begins and finishes at Wiset Road. In addition to the main road, Soi Saiyuan, there are many smaller Sois (small alleys) that branch off from it, such as Saiyuan Soi 1, 2,3 … to Soi 16.

You can find some local points of interest such as the Rawai Boxing Stadium and Rawai Monday & Thursday Market at the corner of Lower Soi Saiyuan and Wiset road.

The Soi Saiyuan is also a short drive from nearby beaches like Nai Harn, Yanui Beach, and Kata beaches. The area is popular with expats and long term digital nomads. It offers a peaceful atmosphere and lots of modern amenities like restaurants, shops, massage parlors, gyms, and convenient stores.

This area has many small guest houses and apartment style accommodations. There are a couple of luxury hotels on Wiset road running parallel with part of Soi Saiyuan. These are The Vijitt Resort, Selina Serenity, and Royal Thai Villa.

Where to stay in Rawai in Soi Saiyuan:

The Vijitt Resort Phuket

This is a luxury beachfront resort in Rawai near Soi Saiyuan. If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet beach holiday, this is a great choice in Rawai. Similar to Rawai Beach, this beach is not ideal for swimming, but you can always take a short taxi ride to nearby beaches like Nai Harn or Yanui.

The resort has a beautiful view of Phang Nga Bay. You can book a room with beach views for the best experience. It has an infinity overlooking the beach, a spa, and a free shuttle to Phuket Town.

Duangjai Residence

This is a budget accommodation on Soi Saiyuan 16, in a quiet residential alley but still close to shops, restaurants, and convenient stores. They have a small outdoor pool and an in-house restaurant.

They have both apartments with a kitchen area and double rooms. You can have a better rate if you stay long term as they offer a monthly rate.

Elite Atoll Serviced Apartments Phuket

This mid-range accommodation is located in the upper part of Soi Saiyuan. It is like home away from home with an amazing rooftop pool, a gym, and spacious rooms. The hotel has an onsite bar/ restaurant but you can also walk to nearby local restaurants and shops for more dining options.

3. The Wiset Road area and south of Chalong area

Wiset Road is a 5km long road connecting the northern area of Rawai Beach and Chalong. There are plenty of hotels and resorts scattered along this road. Lots of resorts are 5-star luxury hotels with stunning views of the beach.

Stay in the upper part of this road, you will be closer to Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha, Kaokard Viewpoint Tower, Khao Khad Beach, and Ao Yon Beach.

Where to stay in The Wiset Road and South of Chalong area:

Royal Thai Villa Phuket

This is a five star small beachfront hotel located in a quiet area off main road. It is a good base for those who want a peaceful holiday away from the crowd. You can easily access restaurants and shops, and the seafood market along Rawai Beach Road within a few minutes drive away.

The resort has nice decor with traditional Thai architecture. It has an onsite restaurant and bar and a nice outdoor swimming pool area. The beach is not swimmable but it has stunning views of the Andaman Sea and islands.

Selina Serenity Rawai Phuket

This is a great accommodation located in the middle of Wiset Road, close to Soi Saiyuan and Rawai Beach. Their resort has two swimming pools, a restaurant, a bar, and comfortable rooms. It offers both dorm and private rooms, making it a great option for travelers with different budgets.

Chalong Marina Bay View Rawai Phuket

This 5 star hotel is one of the best places to stay in the Chalong and Rawai area of Phuket. It offers rooms with sea views with rooftop pool, spa, restaurant, and bar.

The location is a bit isolated, and it is better to rent a scooter for exploration. Ride share apps like Grab, InDrive, and Bolt are also available to get around. The hotels offer shuttle services to nearby beaches. Good base for a quiet holiday.