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RATES^ QUOTED^ AREFOR^ STANDARD^ DOUBLES,^ ROOM^ONLY,UNLESS^ OTHERWISESTATEDThe Thai island is busy carving out a glittering new reputation beyond its
fly-and-flop resorts: discover blissful beachside villas, design dens and
stylish camps tucked away in the emerald interior. Words: Lee CobajPHUKET
The Pearl of the Andaman Sea is blessed with an intoxicating mix of beaches,
coral reefs and rainforest-covered mountains. And while the island has developed
something of a reputation for sprawling, mass-tourism resorts, there are still
plenty of quiet sandy corners to lay your straw hat. Many of Phuket’s glorious,
high-end hideaways are found along the island’s northwest coast, where a
smattering of shops and nightlife strikes a balance between relaxed and
sophisticated. The far south, meanwhile, has a more bohemian vibe, while the
rugged east coast remains pleasingly undeveloped, and what it lacks in beaches it
makes up for with easy access to breathtaking Phang Nga Bay. Many visitors opt
to stay in one resort for the whole of their stay, but it’s worth setting a few days
aside to venture to neighbouring islands, such as Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai,
or to head north into Khao Sok National Park’s incredible jungles.SLEEP72 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel