Whatever kind of holiday you’re on, Phuket has something for everyone. Turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and the charming Old Town draw every type of traveller. And of course, Patong Beach gets its fair share of partygoers too! Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and its blend of fabulous food, natural beauty, and cultural heritage rolls all of the best of Thailand into one package!
When it comes to where to stay in Phuket, you have a lot of options. Hostels, hotels, resorts, whatever. If you want to get an authentic and traditional experience though, why not consider checking out homestays in Phuket? They’ll show you more of the island and its heritage than you’d likely get in a hostel in a party town!
With that in mind, we’ve decided to help you out. That’s right, we’ve put together a list of the 10 best homestays in Phuket. Not only will they show you a different side of the largest Thai island, but they’ll also help you dig a little deeper into its culture!
Our 5 Favourite Homestays in Phuket
If you’re planning on backpacking around Thailand then you’ll want to find a great way to save some money and have additional experiences at the same time. Well, homestays are a perfect way!
Baan Rai Mee Rak Farmstay
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Terrace
- > Free bike rental
97 Yaowarat
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Free breakfast
- > Unique building in the old town
Cozy 1 Bedroom Apartment near Kamala Beach
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Laptop-friendly workspace
- > Complimentary breakfast
House for Four near Town with Pool
- > $$
- > 4 Guests
- > Swimming pool
- > Lovely garden
Cosy Room near Patong Beach
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Swimming pool
- > Free parking
What is a Homestay?
So what exactly do we mean by a homestay? Well, a homestay can be described as a holiday or other period abroad spent staying in the home of a local family. Or, it can simply mean a private house that offers accommodation to paying guests.
These days, some homestays are more “home” than others. In fact, some are so slick and professional that they are closer to guesthouses. It should normally be easy to identify what kind of homestay you are looking at from the listing and from reading the guest reviews. It is important to choose the right one for you and to decide exactly how much interaction you want with your hosts.
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Is a Homestay right for you?
Before deciding to book a homestay, you need to ask yourself whether it is right for you. Bear in mind that you are not simply booking a room in a hotel or a bed in a hostel, but will be living inside somebodies house.
For example, if you plan on doing some serious partying, perhaps you would be better suited to a hostel? Also, are you ok with the possibility of sharing a house with noisy kids or elderly relatives? I did one homestay in Nepal and it was hard to ever sleep past 7 am as the host’s children were running through the halls!
Remember The House Rules
When you book a homestay, remember to respect the house rules. Whilst homestay hosts will always try their best to be flexible to your needs, there may occasionally be some ground rules such as no guests, no drugs or even no alcohol.
There may sometimes even be a curfew. It is important to read the listings and check these things before you book your homestay.
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Are Homestays Safe?
If you are booking through a reputable platform, they will have vetted and verified the homestay host very carefully. Guest feedback is also very important and any complaints are carefully investigated. Therefore, homestays are every bit as safe and secure as hostels or hotels.
Join Homestay.com For More Great Homestays
In this post, we’ve listed 10 awesome properties hand picked from the 4 corners of the internet! However, in case you don’t find what you’re looking for here, we recommend signing up for Homestay.com and having a search yourself. They have 1000’s of homestay listings in over 100 countries!
Join Homestay.comThe Top 10 Homestays in Phuket
Without having you wait too much longer, let’s have a look at the 10 best Homestays in Phuket. Whether you’re wanting to explore Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island or just take a dip in the stunning Andaman Sea at Kamala Beach, there’s a place for you here.
Unlike the best hotels, don’t expect room service here, but what you can expect is an awesome local experience.
Best Homestay in Phuket – Baan Rai Mee Rak Farmstay
Let’s begin our list of the best homestays in Thailand with somewhere that will offer you an authentic local stay with a few extras thrown in. You’ll be able to rent free bikes to explore the island while you leave your rented car in the free parking throughout your stay! Each room comes with a terrace which will offer you lovely views and free wifi access. There’s also a communal lounge and a terrace in the tropical gardens, as well as a BBQ and hot tub.
It’s right out in the wilderness of Phuket, but it’ll show you a place you wouldn’t otherwise get to see! And don’t worry, if you’re looking to explore all the tourist attractions the island has to offer, they are still within easy reach. It’s easy to arrange tours of Phang Nga Bay and Bang Tao Bay as well as public transport to Phuket Old Town and Kamala Beach.
Budget Tip: Dorms in Phuket start from $5USD per bed. They’re the cheapest accommodation in the city. Search for hostels in the area!
Best Value Homestay in Phuket – 97 Yaowarat
If you’re looking for a cheap homestay in Phuket, look no further than this room in the Old Town. It’s in a unique Chino-Portuguese building, so you’re actually staying in a little piece of Phuket history! Being in the Old Town is an excellent base from which to explore, whether you want to head out to beaches, the jungle, or simply just enjoy the street food and shopping of Phuket Town. The Downtown Market is just a stone’s throw away! Whichever you decide, fuel up in the morning with your complimentary breakfast!
Best Traditional Homestay in Phuket – Jungle Bungalow
If you’re wondering where to stay in Phuket for a traditional experience, ditch Patong, Karon, and the Old Town and head out into the rural villages of the island. It’s there that you’ll find this cool bungalow – an excellent Phuket homestay that offers a local vibe. In the centre of the island, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life and properly disconnect. From the centre of the island, you’ll be able to appreciate the surrounding jungle – perhaps you’ll do that by renting a scooter from this homestay and exploring!
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Perfect Homestay for Digital Nomads – Cozy 1 Bedroom Apartment near Kamala Beach
Travelling to Phuket with your laptop? You’ll need somewhere that’s got a laptop-friendly workspace and Wi-Fi then. And although you might expect a beach lodge to be right off the grid, this is one of the best places to stay in Phuket to work! Not only will you be able to connect to your laptop, but you’ll be in complete peace and quiet!
Fuel up in the morning for a day of emails and articles or exploring the island with the free breakfast! For a truly local experience, meet the local fishermen in the village and see how their days unfold. Thailand is the Digital Nomad centre of the universe so come here to experience it for yourself.
Perfect Homestay for Solo Travellers – Modern Near Phuket Airport
When you’re travelling solo, you often get told to head for the nearest hostel. And while that works for some travellers, a Phuket homestay is a way to save money and not have to deal with the hectic and noisy dorm lifestyle! And this Phuket home comes equipped with a swimming pool so you’ve got somewhere to chill out after exploring the island! It’s in a quiet and relaxed neighbourhood, but it’s easy to get to the main attractions on the island.
Best Homestay in Phuket for Couples – Budget Double room near Nai Harn Beach
When you travel with your other half, you have to make that extra bit of effort to get a nice place… well, let us help you! Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Rawai Beach, you have this great Phuket homestay, which has a queen bed! So, you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep, at the very least! Wake up in each other’s arms before heading for the complimentary breakfast. The perfect start to the day!
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Homestay in Phuket for Nightlife – Cosy Room near Patong Beach
For those hoping to dance the night away in Phuket, then Patong beach is a great shout! Another cheap homestay in Phuket, this room in a condo gives you a lot of bang for your buck! As well as your own private room, there’s a small balcony with a jungle view and an outdoor swimming pool where you can cool off the day after a night out. That’ll certainly help your hangover! Then there’s the fitness centre if you’re up for it.
In the room, toiletries are provided at no extra cost, so you can easily wash off the UV paint from a full moon party! I mean, it is one of those things you’ve just got to do whilst in Phuket! It blows many of the luxury hotels here out of the water.
Best Homestay in Phuket for Groups – Phuket Bike Resort
You might notice that a lot of the Phuket homestays we’ve shown so far are for solo travellers or couples. But what happens if you and the rest of your group want a local experience?! Well, you stay somewhere like Mushroom World Homestay. There are lots of cool activities within a short distance, including Muay Thai World and Chalong Temple. Back in your room, you can take advantage of air-conditioning on those hot Thai nights, and a private bathroom for your comfort as well as a pool and hot tub.
Best Homestay in Phuket for Families – House for Four near Town with Pool
There are some awesome Phuket homestays for families too. This house is near Phuket Town, so in the daytime, you can laze around the pool before heading to town in the evening for food and a couple of drinks. Your host family in Phuket allow you to use their kitchen and tropical garden as well as the private pool! There’s free wifi and access to laundry facilities.
To get into town or Phuket airport, either take a taxi or take advantage of the free parking if you’re renting a car. We’ll let you sort out who the designated driver is! Forget staying at a hostel in Phuket when you’ve got this as an option!
Best Homestay in Karon – Karon Beach Bungalow
Let’s round off our list of the best homestays in Phuket with a great beach bungalow in Karon, right on the Andaman Sea. One of the coolest areas on the island that should be on your Phuket itinerary for sure. You can enjoy excellent beach time with tasty food and nightlife! Prefer to cook and eat in? No problem, there’s a fully equipped kitchen. You can then enjoy whatever you’ve thrown together in front of the flat-screen TV with satellite channels or upload your snaps to insta on the free wifi. Alternatively, just chill out on the terrace and enjoy the sunset! It’s also easy to organise transport to Phuket international airport from here too.
FAQ about Homestays in Phuket
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Phuket.
Don’t Forget your Phuket Travel Insurance
Thankfully Phuket is pretty safe but you just never know what might happen, especially on a backpacking trip. So do yourself a favour and get some decent travel insurance before you head off.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Phuket Homestays
So, that completes our list of the best homestays in Phuket. We’re sure you’ll agree there’s a lot to choose from! Whether you want to learn how to make Thai food at a farm stay, have a place to crash after a night out in Patong, or work from a jungle lodge, there’s a homestay in Phuket for you! You might not get room service at a homestay but these places offer a much great experience than even the best hotels.
If you are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice and still unsure what to pick, let us help you one more time. Just scroll back to the top of the page, and click on our favourite homestay in Phuket. The Ban Rai Mee Rak Farmstay. You’re assured of a traditional local experience for a very fair price!
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