Is Cape Panwa a good place to stay in Phuket?

Cape Panwa is a good base if you want a secluded resort, sea views and peace, with Phuket Town close enough for dinner. The cape sits on the south-east coast, its resorts spread along Panwa Beach and Ao Yon, and Phuket Town is a short drive away. It suits couples, honeymooners and families who plan to spend most of their time at the hotel.

The area is green and hilly, with villas and resorts tucked into the trees and views over the bay to the islands. Panwa Beach and Ao Yon are small and calm, the Phuket Aquarium at the tip of the cape is a good outing with children, and Khao Khad viewpoint looks out over Phuket Town and the coast. Hilltop resort bars are the main places for a sunset drink.

The downside is that Cape Panwa is quiet and spread out, with little outside the resorts. The beaches are smaller than on the west coast and the water can be shallow, you'll need taxis to go anywhere, and Patong, Kata and the airport are a long drive away. Nightlife is limited to hotel bars.

What makes Cape Panwa worth considering is the sense of escape. You can stay in a resort with a view over the sea, swim in calm water and hear almost nothing but the waves, while Phuket Town's old streets and restaurants are still within easy reach.