Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [565]
The beach is actually split into two distinct sections, separated by a rocky headland: Hat Kata Yai to the north and Hat Kata Noi to the south. Both offer loads of bleach-blond sand and attract chilled-out beach-goers. Like Patong, these beaches are losing their under-1000B accommodation as the entire area gently creeps upmarket.
Click here for eating options in Kata.
Lucky Guesthouse ( Map; 0 7633 0572; luckyguesthousekata@hotmail.com; 110/44 Moo 4 Th Taina; r 450B) Phuket penny-pinchers usually wind up at Lucky, which offers the basic necessities for beach holidays on a shoestring: a bed and a bathroom. The extra-friendly staff strive to help you to the best of their ability and can offer insider tips about the island.
Kata On Sea ( Map; 0 7633 0594; bungalows 450-1000B; ) ‘On Sea’? Hardly. It’s a steep 100m climb to this clutch of modest bungalows dotting a quiet green hilltop, but for the price, it’s well worth the effort. Spacious bungalows have massive picture windows that maximise views. Air-con rooms start at 800B.
Sugar Palm Resort ( Map; 0 7628 4404; www.sugarpalmphuket.com; 20/10 Th Kata; r 1800-6000B; ) It’s a ‘chic, chill-out world’ as this Miami-meets-Thailand-style resort claims. Sleek rooms mix beachy whisps of colour with the whites and blacks of an old-school photo. Outside you’ll find a U-shaped black-bottomed pool – the perfect spot to shoot an MTV music video.
CC Bloom’s ( Map; 0 7633 3322; www.ccbloomshotel.com; 84/21 Th Patak; r 3500-3900B; ) This American-run gay-friendly boutique hotel (strangely named after Bette Midler’s character in the movie Beaches) has a fab location overlooking Kata. Stylish rooms are done up in creamy Indochine yellows. If you have a hankerin’ for waves (it is a bit of a hike from the beach), a free shuttle makes multiple runs to the beach.
Katathani Resort ( Map; 0 7633 0124; www.katathani.com; 14 Th Kata Noi; r from 7000B; ) Down on quieter Hat Kata Noi, this glitzy spa resort offers all the usual trimmings in stylish surrounds. It features a spa, a handful of pools, a beauty salon and heaps of space. Excellent low-season deals are on offer to top hagglers.
Mom Tri’s Boathouse ( Map; 0 7633 0015; www.theboathousephuket.com; 2/2 Th Patak West; r 8000-20,000B; ) For Thai politicos, pop stars, artists and celebrity authors, the intimate boutique Boathouse is still the only place to stay on Phuket. Rooms were remodelled after the tsunami and are spacious affairs sporting large breezy verandahs. Critics complain the Boathouse is a bit stiff-lipped old-fashioned for this century, but no one can deny that the main reason to sleep at the Boathouse is for the food. The three on-site restaurants are the best on the island.
Mom Tri’s Villa Royale ( Map; 0 7633 3568; www.villaroyalephuket.com; ste incl breakfast from 10,000B; ) Tucked away in a secluded Kata Noi location with the grandest of views, Villa Royale opened in 2006 to nearly instant acclaim. The romantic place with fabulous food offers beautiful rooms straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest. Guiltless pleasures include an attached spa and a saltwater pool – a tamer version of the real thing, which is just a few steps away.
Also recommended:
Kata Noi Pavilion ( Map; 0 7628 4346; www.katanoi-pavilion.com; bungalows 1150-1500B; ) Slightly generic, but the rooms are spic and span.
Boomerang Village ( Map; 0 7628 4480; www.phuket-boomerang.com; 9/11 Soi 10 Th Patak; r from 2000B; ) An immensely popular spot strung up the side of a hill overlooking Kata (750m from the beach).
Nai Han & Rawai
Rawai was one of Phuket’s first tourist developments, but this was mostly due to the fact that it was close to Phuket Town. As better beaches were discovered, tourist traffic in Rawai dwindled, and today it’s a quiet spot. Tourists often chat about visiting the chow lair village here – it’s worth