Best of Phuket for Family with 17 & 19yr olds @ Xmas 2023 ?

Question

Hello there!

We are planning a family trip to Phuket this Christmas 2023 and it needs to be as exciting as possible for my teens but not break the bank of Mum and Dad!

We would like to stay in beachfront accommodation, it doesn't need to be fancy - just safe and convenient.
We would also like to do some island tours, I've seen adverts for Elephant Hills, Tiger Encounters and Hanuman World Zipline

Would welcome any tips please!

For accommodation is there somewhere best to be on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve and on the tours mentioned or others.

THANK YOU!

Jane from Bristol, UK


Answer

Hi Jane thank you for submitting your question regarding holidaying in Phuket over Christmas 2023 with your teenagers without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, Christmas is one of the most expensive times to visit Phuket especially if you want to stay directly on the beachfront.

If this is your first time in Phuket and you want it to be as exciting as possible for your children, I would suggest you stay in Patong, or one of the closer beaches near to Patong such as Karon Beach.

Without knowing your budget per night, I have just added a couple of resorts that we have found to be great during our travels.

Patong Beach Accommodation

Phuket Graceland Resort is very popular, it’s not located directly on the beach but just a short stroll across the road and close to all the activities in Patong.

The Burasari Resort is another great choice for family getaways if you decide to stay in Patong, again it’s not located directly on the beach but just a short walk across the road.

One of our all-time favorites is the Holiday Inn, but like so many of these great resorts they do tend to book out early for the Christmas holidays.

As you are looking for direct beach access the Impiana Resort might be well worth looking at, it’s a bit pricier but look at the location.

Another resort directly on the beach at Patong is the Kudo Hotel, the hotel also has a beach club and is straight across from Bangla Road. A great location if you want to be in the heart of Patong.

If you’re looking for a slice of the quieter life in Patong, but still want to be close enough to enjoy everything that Patong has to offer the Amari is worth checking out, they have a range of rooms and suites and they have 2 bedroom suites which are available for the Christmas period ( at the time of writing). The Amari is located at the southern end of Patong Beach with direct beach access.

Karon Beach Accommodation

Directly on the northern end of Karon Beach is the Centara Grand Beach Resort, the resort is excellent with a range of facilities and is located directly on the beach.

Also at the Northern end of Karon Beach is the Waterfront Suites by Centara, which offers great value for money, with 2-bedroom suites still available over Christmas. The hotel is located only a couple of minutes’ walk from Karon Beach and has a swimming pool and deck chairs. You will be also able to enjoy a range of facilities at the Centara Karon Resort, which is located only a few minutes away.

Staying over Christmas and or New Years most hotels and resorts will charge a fee for Christmas and New Years Dinners.

What to see and do in Phuket

Phuket is a place where you can take time out to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, take in the stunning views from scenic viewpoints, explore Old Phuket Town and Phuket’s cultural attractions or if you want a little more of an adventure you could go Island hoping, ATVing and lots more.

The Flying Hanuman is great choice for you and your family, but please do your research about the treatment of tigers and elephants in Thailand before you go, we have been to the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, and I wish I hadn’t.

As there are so many things to do and see in and around Phuket you would be best to talk to our friends at Easy Day Thailand who are experts in organising tours.

A must do while you’re in Phuket is a visit to the Phi Phi Islands, and the best way to see them is to spend a couple of nights, you can do a daytrip but to best experience the Islands you would be to stay a couple of nights on Phi Phi Don.

If you love white sandy beaches and snorkeling another great location is the Similan Islands.

I hope this information helps and you and your family have an amazing holiday in Phuket.

Regards
Paula & Jeff