What You Need to Know About Booking a Hotel Near Patong Beach

Don’t take anybody’s word for it. Patong Beach is a lot of good-natured fun. I booked my plane tickets three months before my hotel. And I changed the reservation after reading more about the location of the various beaches and proximity to nightlife. We decided we wanted to be within walking distance of a lot of street markets, bars, and shops. The first hotel I booked was a 15-minute drive to Patong Beach, which meant a long walk. We decided we wanted to be near Bangla Road and the nightlife of LadyBoys and Cheap drinks.

Table of Contents

• Patong Beach, LadyBoys and Bangla Road
• Fisherman’s Harbour Urban Resort
• Street Food in Phuket
• Patong Nightlife
• Ping Pong Shows
• LadyBoys
• Bangla Road
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Patong Beach, LadyBoys and Bangla Road 

Patong Beach sits on Phuket’s west coast in southern Thailand. It’s the island’s most famous and lively beach, popular with international tourists, couples, and groups seeking both sun and nightlife. Families can enjoy swimming, banana boat rides, and nearby attractions like Jungceylon Mall and Phuket FantaSea. The main beach is busy, but nearby sections and mornings are calm and safe for families. Visitors can fly into Phuket International Airport, then take a taxi or shuttle—about a 45-minute drive—to reach Patong’s vibrant shoreline.

Fisherman’s Harbour Urban Resort

After more research, I came across the Fisherman’s Harbour Urban Resort. It was a beautiful hotel near a night market, tons of shops and massage parlors, and a 10-minute stroll to Bangla Road– the hub of nightlife in Phuket. It had a “soft” opening a few months ago and is in the final stages of construction. I wouldn’t even call it construction; it is undergoing “decorations.”

We got a great deal because it was operating as a soft open. The next time we went to Thailand, the price had nearly doubled— far outside our price range.

The outdoor spaces are beautiful. The pool, outdoor spa, swim-up bar, and grill area are decorated nicely. The breakfast is also very good, with both breakfast, brunch, snd Thai food– even kimchi on the menu. It is open from 6:30 am to 10:30 am every morning. Ask for a breakfast box if you plan on checking out early. Check it out on Booking.com here.

Street Food in Phuket

I’m addicted to street food in Thailand. It’s so good, cheap, and believe it or not, safer in many cases yo food you get in a restaurant. Just take a few precautions to avoid a rumbly belly and try everything in sight.

There is a large street food/ clothing market in front of the hotel. We ate there every night but two. We ate on Bangla Road one night and at the Hard Rock Cafe the other night. They lured us in with great music.

It was really hot one night, and we wanted to enjoy some a/c and a few drinks. We don’t usually eat at places like Hard Rock because outside of the United States they are really expensive, but I gotta give it to them, that burger was the bomb.

Patong Nightlife

This is the heart of Phuket and must be experienced both during the day and then at night when it is closed to traffic. Lots of neon lights, dancers, and beer and cocktails are really cheap. If you prefer not to drink, then just go for the great people watching.

Phuket’s walking street truly comes alive at night from 6 pm to 6 am. You really have to see it and experience it for yourself. There is so much going on, you don’t know where to rest your eyes.

Ping Pong Shows

Bars line both sides of the street and you constantly have someone coming up to you, trying to entice you into their bar with a free “ping pong/ sexy” show. There are no cover charges, but the drink prices are inflated, so be prepared to bargain. All the clubs have drinking girls like the one above who will talk you to death before asking you to buy them a drink.

Nona was originally from Vietnam. She talked to both my husband for 15 minutes until he got up to use the toilet. Then she asked ME to buy her a drink. I didn’t, but I left her a tip for her time.

LadyBoys 

The street is bustling and very noisy; each bar/club plays its music, and some even have karaoke. Most bars have pole dancers that you can watch from the road. Some street performers, fire eaters, magicians, virtual reality games, and the infamous “ladyboys” also exist.

Ladyboys are Thai boys by day and dressed to the nines in ladies’ clothes at night. Be aware that they don’t expect to be photographed for free.

Bangla Road

Bangla Road is not for everyone, but I strongly recommend that you stroll from one end to the other at least once with an open mind and a cheap beer.

When we learned we were moving to Daegu, South Korea I searched for information about military life, apartment hunting, and what to expect in South Korea but found very little. I hope my blog helps ease the transition anxiety of military spouses and civilians who find themselves moving to Daegu, South Korea, or any of the beautiful countries in Asia.

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