Your Guide to Family-Friendly Phuket Resorts with Kids Clubs

If you're looking for a family-friendly beach destination in Thailand, look no further than Phuket. This is the largest island in Thailand, and visitors flock here year-round to soak up the tropical sun, frolic on the beautiful beaches, marvel at the gilded wats (Buddhist temples), and live the good life at a luxury Phuket resort.

There's no shortage of things to do in Phuket with kids, from ethical elephant encounters to Thai cooking classes to island hopping around Phi Phi. And with the right time of year, you'll get clear skies, calm seas and lower prices. But where you stay matters just as much as when you go. Here's how to choose the right Phuket resort for your family.

Can't decide which area of Phuket to stay in? This is what you need to know about Patong, Kata, Kamala, and Bang Tao beach.

Patong is Phuket's busiest beach area and the most convenient for first-time visitors. Restaurants, malls, and beach activities are all within walking distance, so you rarely need a taxi. Two of the three Novotel Phuket resorts are located in Patong.

• Best for: First-timers, school-aged kids, families who want everything on their doorstep
• Good to know: Bangla Road runs late and the central beach gets crowded in high season. Around 45 minutes from the airport.

Kata has a sheltered beach with calm water from November to April, making it one of the most popular family spots on the island. The pace is slower than Patong but not sleepy, with enough cafes and restaurants within a short walk.

• Best for: Families with young kids, beach-focused stays
• Good to know: Some resorts sit on the hillside, so check how far the walk to the sand is before you book. Around 1 hour from the airport.

Kamala also has a calm beach, soft sand, and a quieter village feel than its neighbours. Carnival Magic and FantaSea theme park are both nearby, but evenings are low-key.

• Best for: Toddlers, babies, families who want early bedtimes and a peaceful base
• Good to know: Fewer restaurants and evening options outside the resort. Around 50 minutes from the airport.

Bang Tao stretches for six kilometres and rarely feels crowded. The Laguna resort complex connects several properties, including Angsana Laguna Phuket, with shuttle buses and canal boats, so you can spend your whole stay without leaving.

• Best for: Resort-focused holidays, families who prefer not to venture out
• Good to know: Further from Phuket's main attractions. Day trips need a taxi or hired driver. Around 30 minutes from the airport.e
  
  

Explore more beaches across the island.

Not every resort that calls itself "family-friendly" delivers. Here is what to check before you book.

• Pools: Look for a kids' pool separate from the main pool. Splash zones for toddlers and deeper sections for older kids make a real difference.
• Kids' club: Check the hours, age range, and staff. A supervised club with trained carers gives your kids something fun to do and gives you a proper break.
• Room size: Standard rooms rarely work for families. You want 40 to 55 square metres, a separate sleeping spot for the kids, and a bathtub for little ones.
• Dining: On-site restaurants save you the scramble of finding somewhere that works for adults and fussy eaters. Room service helps on early mornings and late nights.
• Beach access: Check how far the sand is. Some hilltop resorts have great views but a steep walk or shuttle ride to the water.

If you're deciding between Novotel's three Phuket resorts, the main difference is location. Each Novotel resort in Phuket sits in a different part of the island, and what suits your family depends on the pace and setting you're after.

Novotel Phuket Resort sits on a hilltop above the northern end of Patong Beach, spread across 8 acres of tropical gardens. Three-tiered ocean-facing pool with kids' section. Four restaurants and bars. Kids World club open daily 10am to 4pm. Shuttle to Patong Beach and town centre.

• Room pick: Deluxe Family Room (55 sqm, bunk bed) or Family Suite (separate kids' room, kitchenette)
• Best for: Families who want beach access, dining options and resort amenities in one place

Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort & Spa is perched on a hillside overlooking Kata and Karon beaches. It has one of the best kids' water zones in Phuket — the Little Ocean area includes a kids' pool, toddler pool and splash pad with water jets and a slide. The swim-up bar sits within view of the splash pad.

• Room pick: Family Room Garden View (47 sqm, king bed + queen bed)
• Best for: Families with toddlers and younger children who want a quieter base with dedicated kids' water facilities

Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort sits in the centre of Patong, walking distance to Jungceylon Shopping Mall, Central Patong, and Bangla Walking Street. The pool is the largest in Patong at 2,000 square metres. Kids' Day runs every Thursday, with a full daily kids' programme throughout your stay.

• Room pick: Family Room or Deluxe Pool Access room
• Best for: Families who want shopping, dining, and entertainment on the doorstep

• Book breakfast in: The last thing you'll want to do each morning is pack up the family and try to hunt down breakfast. Instead, it's well worth booking a resort package that includes breakfast. It will make life so much easier.

• Use the concierge for day trips: Plan to take at least one or two family-friendly day trips. From snorkelling and island hopping trips for older kids to visits to the Thai cultural theme park FantaSea or Dino Park Mini Golf for the younger ones, there are options for all ages in Phuket.

• Ask about resort freebies: Your Phuket resort likely offers complimentary perks to guests like area shuttles, afternoon snacks and drinks, and cultural activities and workshops. Ask when you check in so you and your family can take advantage of them during your stay.

• Check the menus ahead of time: Peruse the menus at your resort ahead of time so you know which places have options for the picky eaters in your group.

• Upgrade to a family suite if budget allows: Upgrading to a family-friendly suite will usually give you perks like separate bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchenettes for preparing snacks and light meals.