Top 10 Budget Hotels in Phuket

If you're looking for a low-cost hotel that's right smack-bang in the middle of the action then look no further that Safaribeach. Steps away from Patong Beach and a mere stroll away from the great nightlife and shopping, Safaribeach may have great facilities surrounding it but it's also self-sufficient. There are two food outlets, a swimming pool, in-room traditional Thai massage, motorcycle and car rental as well as an experienced staff. High-speed wireless internet is also a definite plus point for this 39-room hotel that features four different room types.

This 47-room boutique resort is also within a short distance of all things fun. The ornate pool is designed Bali-style and is central to the hotel – guests can also dine poolside. There are both French and Thai restaurants on the premises as well as a sauna with a spa as well as massage facilities. Four different room types are available, all with a satellite TV, minibar and air conditioning. The resort has a limousine service to and from the airport as well as high speed internet access.

Set just across white sandy Karon Beach, landscaped gardens Karon Sea Sands Resort is designed to provide guests with the finest service and facilities. The view from the rooms look out on that blue horizont. Guest can make use of four excellent Food & Beverage outlets, state of the art fitness center & massage facilities.

A favourite with budget travellers, Kata Minta is a small hotel just minutes away from spectacular Kata Beach and its surrounding attractions and amenities. There are just 12 guest rooms at Kata Minta, each air conditioned and with satellite TV's, a refrigerator with minibar along with bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Kata Minta has a tangible family feeling that large hotels cannot create. Outside the hotel life in Kata is decidedly quieter than up the coast in Patong with the beach, rather than the shopping or nightlife, being the main draw.

Straddling a hillside close by to Kata Centre, Peach Hill Resort is quite a large affair with 211 rooms ranging from Standard, Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, Villas and a Royal Suite. The resort features three swimming pools, two restaurants and a spa as well as a beauty salon. It can even handle small business groups with its conference rooms and audio and visual equipment. It's only a short walk from the beaches of Karon and Kata with shopping and night entertainment just across the road.

With 108 rooms spread over five storeys Sugar Palm Resort is modern, clean and chic, situated in Kata Beach, just seconds away from the beach itself. The décor in the rooms is a clever melange of up-to-date western design and Thai textiles while the 200sqm swimming pool features one of the most attractive designs on the island. There are three room types to choose from – Superior, Deluxe Pool View and Deluxe Pool Access and each room comes with a DVD and access to a DVD library as well as many other accessories such as wireless high speed internet. The Jasmine restaurant serves up excellent food at surprisingly low prices and again, is very well designed. All in all, an excellent budget hotel.

Popular amongst travellers, this resort has one asset that stands head and shoulders above the rest: it's right on Kamala Beach. But there's more to it than that; you can eat lunch right by the pool, all rooms feature large fridges, there is Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and there's a genuine beachside atmosphere. For the kids there is a games room and a children's pool with two adult pools as well as a fitness room. The Las Vegas-like FantaSea show is within walking distance, as is beautiful Laem Singh Beach and Kamala's restaurants and bars. Kamala Beach Resort has five different room types (including bungalows), in a total of 200 rooms.

Another popular boutique resort, Kamala Dreams has just 18 'studios' and is family-run so the atmosphere is intimate and friendly. Other plus points are its great seafood restaurant (run by the owner's father), the beach is situated just over the resort's footbridge at the bottom of the garden and all accommodations feature kitchenettes. If Patong is too brash and noisy for you Kamala Dreams fits the bill perfectly as this seaside town is definitely more laid back than its larger neighbour. There is a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi and if you are a golf enthusiast the European management will give you good tips on the best courses on the island.

A 15-minute speedboat ride away from Phuket, Coral Island Resort is funky, laid back and unforgettable. The resort has three layers of bungalows with the front row right on the beach. This place is the essence of tranquillity after 15:00 as the only people you will see on the beach then are fellow guests or hotel employees. Hornbills will come to your door if you are patient enough and the water teems with colourful tropical fish. Diving and snorkelling equipment is available and you can have a massage right on the beach or a batik lesson or simply wallow in the resort's pool. Dine right on the beach if you like and simply soak up the tranquillity of this unique resort.