Phuket Areas for Luxury Seekers

Phuket has long been synonymous with comfortable holidays, but there are areas that truly stand out: here you’ll find space, seclusion, first-class service, and a premium lifestyle. Bang Tao, Panwa, and Mai Khao are perfect choices for those who appreciate luxury. Each offers a distinctly different experience — from vibrant resort-style living to complete seclusion surrounded by nature. Let’s take a closer look at why these particular areas of Phuket are worth considering if you’re a true connoisseur of everything with the words “luxury,” “premium,” and “VIP” attached.

Bang Tao

In short, Bang Tao is the epicenter of premium living in Phuket. Wealthy couples, families, and high-income digital nomads all love spending time here.

At the heart of this luxurious lifestyle is Laguna Phuket, a resort complex featuring five-star hotels, a golf club, elite villas, and its own complete infrastructure — schools, restaurants, massage parlors & SPAs. The area is perfectly balanced: a wide beachfront, European-level amenities, and secure gated residences. For brand-name shopping, head to Porto de Phuket or Boat Avenue.

Evenings in Bang Tao are anything but quiet: sunset cocktails, parties at chic restaurants and beach clubs like the iconic Catch and Carpe Diem, and Michelin-starred dining at PRU — in short, all the hallmarks of the luxury life.

The beach itself exceeds all expectations — one of Phuket’s longest, with soft champagne-colored sand and a gentle slope into the sea. Its southern end is lively, with full beach facilities, while the central and northern parts are more tranquil, lined with private villas, resorts, and shaded areas.

Drawbacks of Bang Tao: high prices — obviously. Traffic — getting out of the area can sometimes take an hour or more. And finally, it can feel too European at times, losing a bit of that authentic tropical island vibe.

You’ll find all the best spots in Bang Tao in our dedicated section.

Panwa

When you’ve explored the more familiar parts of Phuket and no longer crave crowds, noise, or glossy glamour, your gaze naturally drifts to the island’s southeast — to where Panwa begins.

The entire area is a cape surrounded by greenery, cliffs, and coves. From the hilltop villas, breathtaking panoramas open onto the Andaman Sea and nearby islands. The air feels a little fresher here, the sea cleaner, and the pace of life more mindful. This is where yacht owners, artists, and lovers of nature, seclusion, retreats, and all kinds of personal “resets” choose to stay.

The main charm of Panwa’s beaches is the sensation of being on a private island, even if you’ve simply stepped out of your hotel. All the beaches here are tucked into sheltered bays, offering full service and zero presence of outsiders. The only beach with any real foot traffic is Ao Yon. One of Panwa’s most prestigious luxury resorts is Sri Panwa Phuket — a true embodiment of opulence. In fact, hotels like this are the cape’s calling card. And, of course, many guests prefer private villas with panoramic pools, spacious grounds, and unforgettable views.

Restaurants in Panwa are mostly about the views, with places like Baba Nest or The Cove offering stunning panoramas. Here, it’s customary to linger for hours with a cocktail in hand, quietly taking in the world around you.

Leisure in Panwa also falls firmly into the “elite” category: yachting, spa retreats, private yoga sessions, and detox programs.

Drawbacks of Panwa: high accommodation prices, distance from the center, and reliance on private transportation.

You’ll find all the best spots in Panwa in our dedicated section.

Mai Khao

If you want to spend your holiday in complete silence, surrounded by nature and right next to the sea, Mai Khao is your place. It’s a true paradise for recluses and for those who aren’t concerned about tourist infrastructure.

Mai Khao boasts the island’s longest and least crowded beach, stretching 11 kilometers. It’s part of Sirinat National Park, where building close to the sea is prohibited — which means wide open spaces and pristine natural surroundings.

Mai Khao is home to some of the island’s most private and exclusive hotels, including JW Marriott, SALA Phuket, and others. Private villas are also common here. And by the way, booking a villa in Phuket is as easy as following the contact link below.

Restaurants in Mai Khao are mostly located within hotels. If you’re after a more intimate atmosphere, many villas offer private dining right on the beach — a table under a canopy of twinkling lights, a personal chef, a sommelier, and the sound of waves as your soundtrack.

What to do in Mai Khao? This is not a place for non-stop activity, but for quality time: yoga (see our Yoga and Meditation in Phuket guide), walks through the park (more locations in the Walkways section), turtle watching (in season), and the simple, mindful observation of the world around you.

Mai Khao is luxury in the format of “nobody here but you.” No noise, no parades, no glossy glamour — just impeccable service, refined taste, and endless space. It’s a place where you can truly disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself.

Drawbacks of Mai Khao: its distance from other parts of the island, minimal infrastructure, reliance on private transportation, and waves and currents during the low season.

You’ll find all the best places in Mai Khao in our dedicated section.

If you’re looking not just for a holiday, but for an experience that combines comfort, aesthetics, lifestyle, and top-tier service, choose one of these areas:

• Bang Tao — for those who enjoy an active yet measured life with a European touch.
• Panwa — for loners, romantics, and nature lovers.
• Mai Khao — for a complete “reset” in absolute peace and comfort.

For more on expat life on the island, see our guide How Much Does Expat Life Cost in Phuket. Also visit the Useful Info section to learn about currency exchange, insurance, visas and border runs, and other important aspects of living in Thailand.