Holiday Inn Resort Phuket

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket is the easy answer for travellers who want to stay in Patong without being swallowed by it. It sits on Thaweewong Road, the beachfront road, about a three-minute walk from the sand, yet its gardens and pools create a calm pocket away from the noise. The resort is split in two. The Main Wing is set up for families, with a kids club and a dedicated children’s pool, and rooms that range from standard doubles to suites. The Busakorn Premium Wing has its own entrance, premium pool access and an adults-only villa area, so couples and those who want a quieter stay can keep to themselves while still using the wider resort. Expedia lists six outdoor pools across the property, including a children’s pool with a waterslide, and some premium rooms and villas come with pool access or a private pool. Four restaurants include Sam’s Steaks and Grill, which the hotel calls Patong’s original grill, open since 1991. The beach, the Jungceylon shopping centre, Simon Cabaret and Bangla Road are all within easy reach on foot.

Location and getting around: being in central Patong means you can walk to the beach, to dozens of restaurants and to the evening shows, and most tours pick up at the door. Bangla Walking Street, Patong’s nightlife strip, is close by, so evenings out need no taxi at all. For Old Phuket Town, the Big Buddha or the south of the island, use taxis or ride-hailing cars, and expect evening traffic on the hill roads out of Patong. The airport is roughly forty-five minutes to an hour away.

The rooms: modern rooms in both wings, with family rooms and suites in the Main Wing and premium rooms, suites and villas in the Busakorn Wing. Rooms facing the pools are quieter than those facing the street.

Who it suits: families who want a kids club and a central base, and couples who prefer the Busakorn Wing for a calmer stay close to Patong’s nightlife.

Good to know: check whether your rate includes breakfast. Pool hours are set, and the most popular loungers go early. Patong can be loud late at night, so ask for a room away from Thaweewong Road if you are a light sleeper.