Patong Beach Guide

Patong is the most famous - some would say infamous - beach resort on Phuket. With its wide variety of activities and nightlife, Patong is an ideal place to party and play.

By night the town has a bustling nightlife which includes literally hundreds of restaurants, chic lounge bars, beer bars and of course discos. The nightlife is centred around Soi Bangla (Bangla Road) however there are quiet parts of town.

Visitors hoping for a glimpse into the exotic East will likely not find it here among the McDonald's, KFC, Boots and Starbucks outlets, though the steaming hot streets, neon lights and chaotic atmosphere of Patong can be overwhelming for the new arrival. The key to full enjoyment of the place is to pace yourself, drink lots of water and learn the meaning of 'mai pen rai' - which translates roughly to 'It doesn't matter' or 'Don't worry, be happy'.

Where to Stay in Patong Beach (Editor's Choice)

Looking for a nice quiet hotel in Patong, they do exist! Somewhere in heart of the action? Beach bungalows maybe? Or a hotel that the kids would love? This page has been put together by our e-concierge to help you find exactly what you're looking for, it covers all areas and recommends hotels that we know are good.

Alternatively, see the complete list of Patong Beach Hotels or see our current best deal below.

Alphabetical List of all the Hotels in Patong

Patong's hundreds of hotels come in all shapes and sizes.

From budget favourites to 5 star luxury, our hotels section has got them covered with many deals exclusive to phuket.com.

You can find hotels by price, hotels by location or hotels on a map and don't miss our Photo Galleries of Hotels in Patong and see also our Last Minute Hotels in Patong Beach.

The Beach (our guide for all you beach lovers)

The very reason for Patong's existence....

During the day Patong's curved sandy bay is a hive of activity with parasail and jet-ski operators, boat drivers, beach vendors and masseuses all vying for the attention of the many visitors relaxing on the beach chairs.

Everything you need to know is right here.

Patong Beach Nightlife

Newcomers will notice that the streets of Patong are relatively quiet by day, but they'll soon find out that when the sun goes down the town awakens and roars. At night, the beach road and back streets turn into a hectic treading ground for street vendors and pedestrians while the bars, pubs and discos become heavily populated with fun-seeking locals and visitors.
Bangla Road is the centre of the night-time action however it's not the only option. Patong has live music, discos, cabaret, sports bars, lounge bars, Thai boxing and of course the girlie bars for which it's famous.

Patong Beach Restaurants, Food & Dining

Patong's food choices are nearly endless. Spicy noodle stands, fast food outlets, mid range restaurants and fine dining spots featuring cuisine from all parts of the globe are all readily available.

Walking around you'll notice that seafood is everywhere, it's fresh from the Andaman sea, delicious. Be adventurous and don't be afraid to try some of the more casual, local spots, where unexpected delights can be found.

Shopping in Patong

Every evening it seems that Patong turns into a giant market as market stalls appear from nowhere on all the main streets (and many minor ones). You can virtually anything you need but you must haggle to get a reasonable price, haggling should be done with a smile on your face.

Jungceylon, a large shopping mall and entertainment complex (opened 2007) with shops for many western brands, and also a Carrefour supermarket.