Patong Beach is located in a cove on the west of Phuket and is easily accessible from Phuket airport. Accommodation is varied with luxurious beach front hotels available to those without money worries and cheap guest houses open to those on more stringent budgets. Some of the most popular hotels include: Novotel Phuket Resort, Amari Coral Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Phuket Resort and Blue Marine Resort and Spa. It is advisable to book all accommodation in advance (especially in the peak winter months) as rooms book up fast and you will find the best deals online.

If you are not fortunate enough to be staying in a hotel on the beach, there are countless sun-beds and umbrellas available for hire at a very small fee and provide a good base for the day. There are also public toilets on the beach which are clean and can be used for a small fee. Along with the refreshment outlets and shops, these facilities make it possible to enjoy a day at the beach regardless of how far away your hotel is.

During the day, Patong beach is home to those trying to top up their tans, lunchtime diners, water sport enthusiasts and families enjoying the sun. At night however the beach road really comes alive and is taken over by romantic diners enjoying the beauty of the beachfront, party animals looking forward to a night out on the town and shoppers looking to take advantage of the cheap prices at the night market.

After dinner entertainment consists of cocktail and wine bars, nightclubs, karaoke clubs, British pubs, cabaret bars, beach bars and girlie bars. Soi Bangla les at the heart of night-time activites and is the place to head for a lively atmosphere. If you are looking for something a bit quieter, the areas towards either end of the beach are peaceful yet still offer plenty of dining and entertainment options. Common tourist haunts in Patong include Soi Seadragon (home to a great deal of go-go bars), Soi Eric, Soi Tiger and Soi Crocodile. For party animals, there are many bars worth visiting.

Shopping opportunities are plentiful and with world renowned shops, you will feel right at home. There are also market stalls along the beach road selling everything from handmade jewellery to t-shirts and from watches to bikinis. Souvenir shops are also found along the beach, although many of the gifts on sale are mass produced and often sold at inflated prices.

For those who would rather spend their time in the water, water sports outlets can be found along every stretch of the beach. These hire shops rent out jet skis, offer rides on banana boats, have waterskiing and parasailing opportunities and much, much more.

There are waves big enough for surfing towards the southern end of the beach while the northern end is much calmer and ideal for young children and families. Those who want to explore under the sea will easily be able to hire snorkelling equipment and make the most of the crystal clear water. The rocky coves found towards the northern end of the beach boast beautiful underwater scenes.

If you arrived on Patong Beach hoping for an introduction into the mysteries and beauty of the East then you will be disappointed. There are Thai restaurants aplenty and a number of massage parlours offering traditional Thai massages however, this is really where the culture lesson ends; it is a beach resort in which to relax, have fun and enjoy the sun, sea and sand.