Travel 4 minutes 23 May 2025

Where to Stay in Phuket for Sun, Sand, and MICHELIN Key Luxury

From jungle villas to beachfront pavilions, explore the MICHELIN Key resorts on Thailand’s iconic island.

Phuket may have earned its reputation as Thailand’s tropical tourism hotspot thanks to its sun, sea, and sand, but what keeps travelers coming back is everything beyond the beach, including some of the region’s most luxurious accommodations. From ultra-exclusive properties that attract A-list celebrities to one-of-a-kind boutique resorts, these MICHELIN Key Hotels take vacations to the next level.


Andara Resort & Villas on Kamala Beach of Phuket. (© Andara Resort & Villas)
Andara Resort & Villas on Kamala Beach of Phuket. (© Andara Resort & Villas)

Andara Resort & Villas

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

The stretch of hillside above Kamala Beach is known as the “Millionaires’ Mile,” and this lavish property certainly lives up to the name. Expansive suites range from one to four bedrooms with living and dining areas, sea views, and private pools, while three- to six-bedroom freestanding villas boast pools, butlers, and even private chefs. Along with a gym, spa, infinity pool, and beach club, the resort also offers the unexpected luxury of two private yachts with crew available for charter.

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Keemala is also situated on Kamala Beach. (© Keemala)
Keemala is also situated on Kamala Beach. (© Keemala)

Keemala

Three MICHELIN Keys – an extraordinary stay

Located slightly inland from Kamala Beach, this striking jungle resort offers 38 freestanding pool villas in four designs, each imagined as “luxury tribal” dwellings. Some feature tent-like domed roofs and oval-shaped soaking tubs perched high above the greenery. Others span two levels and feature suspended furniture, while some resemble thatched-roof huts. The boldest are the futuristic “Bird’s Nest Villas,” made from woven wood and glass, with sweeping views of both the forest and the sea. On-site amenities, including a spa, swimming pool, and restaurant, are just as Instagram-worthy.

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The stunning view from Cape Yamu. (© COMO Point Yamu)
The stunning view from Cape Yamu. (© COMO Point Yamu)

COMO Point Yamu

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

Perched atop a cliff at the end of Cape Yamu, on the less-traveled eastern side of Phuket, this resort is an architectural and design showpiece, with visually stimulating interiors courtesy of famed Italian designer Paola Navone. The stylish rooms, suites, and villas — 106 in total — come in a variety of sizes and configurations, all offering commanding views of scenic Phang Nga Bay. Guests never wishing to leave this isolated slice of paradise can divide their time between the multiple restaurants and lounges, the Shambhala wellness facilities, and the massive 100-meter-long swimming pool.

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Trisara, a One-MICHELIN-Key recipient. (© Trisara)
Trisara, a One-MICHELIN-Key recipient. (© Trisara)

Trisara

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

Secluded and sophisticated, this high-end hillside resort features pavilion-style structures overlooking the Andaman Sea. Each suite and villa comes with its own infinity pool, discreetly tucked into lush tropical foliage. A long saltwater pool runs parallel to the private beach, while the nearby waterfront spa offers a standout “six-hand massage” performed by three trained therapists. Gourmands will be pleased to know that Trisara is home to three MICHELIN-recognized restaurants: PRU, awarded both One MICHELIN Star and a Green Star; Jampa, a Green Star establishment; and The Thai Library, a MICHELIN-selected eatery.

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InterContinental Phuket Resort is home to two MICHELIN-listed restaurants. (© InterContinental Phuket Resort )
InterContinental Phuket Resort is home to two MICHELIN-listed restaurants. (© InterContinental Phuket Resort )

InterContinental Phuket Resort

Two MICHELIN Keys – an exceptional stay

This 221-room landmark property, which opened in 2020, is a sensory delight. Architecturally, its masterstroke is the ornate Thai temple-inspired central pavilion, a striking all-white structure that houses fine dining, fermentation-focused restaurant Hom, one of eight F&B outlets. For relaxation, guests can enjoy five swimming pools and a sumptuous spa. The bulk of the property is built on the inland side of the coastal road, with an exclusive underground passageway that leads guests directly to Kamala Beach.

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Shall we sit and soak it all in for a while? (© The Nai Harn Phuket)
Shall we sit and soak it all in for a while? (© The Nai Harn Phuket)

The Nai Harn Phuket

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

Nai Harn Beach is located on Phuket’s southernmost tip, and once you see its idyllic, crescent-shaped bay, you’ll never want to leave. The Nai Harn Phuket — which began life as the Royal Phuket Yacht Club, the island’s first 5-star hotel — offers 120 rooms and suites that cascade down a hillside overlooking the beach, with sun-drenched terraces measuring up to 40 sqm. The culinary options are all superb, including Prime, an intimate 14-seat dining experience with panoramic views. And should you need help selecting wine, Frank Grassmann, the genial GM, makes terrific recommendations.

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According to our Inspectors, the villas at The Pavilions, Phuket are sublime — featuring plunge pools, canopy beds, and spacious soaking tubs. (© The Pavilions, Phuket )
According to our Inspectors, the villas at The Pavilions, Phuket are sublime — featuring plunge pools, canopy beds, and spacious soaking tubs. (© The Pavilions, Phuket )

The Pavilions, Phuket

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

The Pavilions, Phuket features 93 private villas with private pools, sun decks, and modern comforts like freestanding baths and rain showers. Perfectly designed for relaxation and privacy, the resort offers in-villa dining, personalized spa treatments, and exclusive experiences such as yoga and Thai cooking lessons. For those seeking to explore, complimentary chauffeurs are available to nearby beaches and shopping areas, offering the best of both relaxation and adventure.

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A tranquil retreat at Rosewood Phuket. (© Rosewood Phuket)
A tranquil retreat at Rosewood Phuket. (© Rosewood Phuket)

Rosewood Phuket

Two MICHELIN Keys – an exceptional stay

This resort boasts a stunning location along a 600-meter beachfront at Emerald Bay. With 71 freestanding pavilions and villas, each featuring plunge pools or full-size swimming pools, relaxation by the water is guaranteed. The resort’s design embraces an understated contemporary aesthetic, where premium furnishings crafted from natural materials blend seamlessly with calming neutral tones. The wellness center offers rejuvenating classes and treatments, while the excellent Rosewood Explorers’ Kids Club allows parents some valuable downtime. Among the dining options is Ta Khai restaurant, a MICHELIN-selected filming location for The White Lotus season 3, now reportedly “always full”.

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The Racha is Phuket's hidden gem. (© The Racha)
The Racha is Phuket's hidden gem. (© The Racha)

The Racha

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

Below the southern tip of Phuket lies Ko Racha Yai, a pristine, remote island that’s home to The Racha, a luxurious complex of 70 modernist villas built on a secluded cove overlooking a white sand beach. The gleaming white accommodations are elegantly furnished with contemporary decor and private terraces to enjoy sunset views over the bay. The property’s main attractions include a palatial spa, a bar, and two restaurants, while the dive center offers guests the chance to explore the offshore coral reefs.

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Aman’s flagship resort in Phuket, Thailand. (© Amanpuri)
Aman’s flagship resort in Phuket, Thailand. (© Amanpuri)

Amanpuri

Three MICHELIN Keys – an extraordinary stay

Over three decades ago, a former coconut plantation on Phuket’s west coast was transformed into Amanpuri, the very first Aman resort in the world. The design remains captivating, incorporating traditional Thai architectural elements from the Ayutthaya period to create a timeless, luxurious, and private hideaway. The hillside resort features 40 beautifully decorated pavilions and 44 extravagant pool villas that range from two to nine bedrooms. The property’s centerpiece is a 27-meter pool tiled in midnight blue, while nearby, a dramatic, wide stone staircase leads down to a secluded private beach.

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Famed designer Bill Bensley is behind the imaginative design of The Slate. (© The Slate)
Famed designer Bill Bensley is behind the imaginative design of The Slate. (© The Slate)

The Slate

One MICHELIN Key – a very special stay

Opera fanatics will appreciate the drama of Capella Hanoi. Spectacularly reimagined by American architect and interior designer Bill Bensley, much inspiration is drawn from opera in the Roaring Twenties, set just steps from the Hanoi Opera House and the historic Old Quarter. Across its 47 rooms and public spaces, colorful details pack every corner, with operatic memorabilia ranging from costumes to vintage photographs on display. The grand Opera Suites on the top floor let you live out your “Madame Butterfly” or “Turandot” dreams in spacious opulence. At the 2024 MICHELIN-selected Backstage, bold renditions of Northern Vietnamese cuisine complement the restaurant’s theatrical décor.

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READ FURTHER: 2 Days in Phuket for Street Food Lovers

Illustration image: © The Racha

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