(Photo: Phuket, Flight Centre)
Phuket has the lot for a perfect long weekender, with brilliant bars and beautiful beaches. If you’re tiring of Bali or want somewhere a bit livelier, get around the Thai island.
And here’s how to enjoy the ultimate long weekend with your mates in Phuket in six simple steps.
Stop One: Patong Beach
Once you’ve landed and checked in, follow the crowd down to Patong Beach. Not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s very fun, and if you like it here, chances are you’ll be back every other night. Plus, you need to go to be able to say you’ve experienced it. Get around the Aussie Bar, where the live sport on the various big screens and the numerous pool tables, plus numerous good beers, make it one of the busier bars on the strip.
Stop Two: Karon Beach
Not only one of the best looking beaches, but also arguably the coolest. People who want to avoid the busier, better known beaches will head here and soak up the rays while enjoying the water. Perfect for a long Saturday sunbake. And a good spot to get a game of beach cricket going, too.
Stop Three: Xana Beach Club, Thalang
Your recovery sorted, you want a place with good drinks and great music. Xana Beach Club is your place. The biggest DJs in the world play here when they come to Phuket and the parties always go off. Xana attracts a mixed crowd of couples, singles, stags, hens, families, hipsters and holidaymakers. Free to enter and when you rent a sunbed for $50, you get the same amount back in food and drink credit. And when it all wraps up at 2am or so, there’s still time to head back to Patong Beach.
Stop Four: Surin Beach
Over Surin Hill on the western side of the island, lies as good a beach as you’ll find. Several of the top resorts open onto it but you can still visit and it’s the perfect Sunday recovery spot for the morning after the night before, to get you back in the mood for a big night out before heading home.
Stop Five: Zazada, Surin Beach
Seeing as you’re already on Surin Beach, for lunch (and beyond) check out Zazada, the bar that manages to sit perfectly between the “fun” pubs of Patong and the more pretentious spots like old favourite Catch Beach Club. Zazada doesn’t take itself too seriously and the massive swimming pool is ideal for chilling out. Great cocktails and you can hire a sunbed there for about $10 for the day.
Stop Six: Baba Nest, Sri Panwa Hotel, Muang
This is where you want to be to watch the sun go down. Baba Nest at the Sri Panwa Hotel has got to one of the most spectacular bars in the world, where you can lie out on giant cushions on decking over a pool that feels like it’s hovering over the ocean. Ideal for an evening and even through the night…if you haven’t already decided to head back for one last party in Patong.
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