If you’re a budget traveller, you may be looking for a Phuket sandbox hotel that still offers a splash of luxury, and by ‘splash’ we do, of course, mean a swimming pool! Being able to cool off in Thailand’s sweltering heat is definitely a bonus. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the cheapest SHA Plus hotels in Phuket, and they all have their own pools!
Those looking to escape to Thailand without quarantine have the option of travelling to the country via the Phuket Sandbox. According to the scheme, tourists must spend seven nights in an SHA+ hotel on the island of Phuket before they’re allowed to roam around the rest of Thailand.
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10 Cheap Phuket Sandbox Hotels (SHA Plus) – With Swimming Pools!
At the time of writing, the hotels below are offering packages that work out to be under 1000 THB per night. For more information on the different areas in Phuket, see our Phuket Travel Guide.
What does SHA Plus (SHA+) mean?
SHA+ is the name given to a certain number of hotels in Phuket which have been approved by the Thai Health and Safety Administration. Once approved, they are allowed to accept guests via the Phuket Sandbox. You are not allowed to book a stay in a hotel or Airbnb (or someone’s house) if it does not have SHA+ certification. If you are booking via Booking.com or Agoda, look out for the following rosette badge on the hotel’s page.
1. Book a Bed Poshtel (Phuket Town) – 842 THB
The only so-called ‘hostel’ on this list is the flashpacker hostel, Poshtel in Phuket Town (which just so happens to be our favourite place in Phuket!). With a delightful swimming pool, luxury private rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and a slide (yes a slide) connecting the first floor to the ground floor, this is unlike your average backpacker hostel! One of the rooms even has a bath on the balcony! (And you thought backpackers never bathed…) Prices for private rooms start at 840 THB per night for a double with a private bathroom. A decent free breakfast included.
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2. Ratana Hotel Rassada (Phuket Town) – 855 THB per night
The Ratana Hotel Rassada offers a 7-day package (superior double or twin room) for just 4,900 THB. The rooms are clean, tasteful with good WIFI and small balconies. If you’re staying here, you’ll definitely want to hire a motorbike so you can explore the island’s coast, but that’s easily arranged for you by the helpful folks at the reception. There’s also the added bonus of a swimming pool for those lazy days!
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3. Coconut Village Resort (Patong) – 888 THB per night
This hotel was recommended by members of our community who told us that it was particularly good value for money. (The above price is for a double standard room that includes breakfast.) The hotel is located in Patong Beach, just five minutes from the beach and the famous (seedy as hell) Bangla Road with tons of restaurants and shops. As with almost everywhere in Thailand, there’s a 7-11 just a few minutes walk away. On top of the great location, the staff are very helpful and on hand to assist with anything you need regarding your Phuket Sandbox experience. The swimming pool area, surrounded by coconut palms and red sun umbrellas and loungers is especially lovely.
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4. Sira Grande Hotel and Spa (Patong) – 900 THB per night
Located in Patong, the Sira Grande is a swish option for your Phuket Sandbox stay, although perhaps for some it’s a little too close to Bangla Road! For those of you who want to keep fit during your trip, there’s a well-equipped gym with a decent sized swimming pool for daily dips. The rooms are modern, spacious and very clean, complete with AC, flat-screen TV, complimentary dressing gowns and fresh towels in the shape of swans (always a nice touch). You can snuggle up to fellow guests in large purple love pods poolside, once you’ve had your negative PCR of course!
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5. The Palms Residence (Phuket Town) – 935 THB per night
The Palms Residence is a budget hotel in Phuket Town with a lovely rooftop pool and great views of the surrounding hills. The decor is clean and modern and each room has an artsy touch. Shops, restaurants and bars are all close by, though you’ll want to hire a bike to explore the nearby beaches (Rawai and Patong) which are around 20 minutes away. The staff are very friendly at the hotel (shout out to the manager, M) who is particularly helpful. All in all, an excellent place to spend seven days in Phuket!
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6. The Blue Hotel (Chalong) – 887 THB per night
Located in Chalong, on the southern tip of Phuket, the Blue Hotel is a great choice for those wanting to train Muay Thai or join a fitness program whilst in Phuket. Tiger Muay Thai, MMA Training School and various other gyms are located just a few hundred metres away. And when you’ve finished fighting/sightseeing/exploring, you can relax in the hotel’s gorgeous swimming pool which has great views in every direction. The rooms are top notch with big comfortable beds and plenty of stretching space. Some of the rooms even have baths on the balcony (this seems to be a growing trend in Phuket!). Definitely one of our top picks!
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7. Flora Ville (Chalong) – 900 THB per night
Another hotel located in Chalong, the Flora Ville is a more traditional Thai style hotel with a lovely swimming pool and luscious gardens. Again, the hotel is located very close to several Muay Thai schools and plenty of restaurants and bars (although make sure you try the food at the hotel restaurant as it’s delicious!). The Thai staff are really friendly and the rooms are cleaned daily with fresh towels provided. They will also take care of your smelly laundry for a small price.
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8. The Rubber Hotel (Thalang) – 965 THB per night
This strangely named hotel is located in an area of Phuket known as Thalang, smack bang in the middle of the island and close to Phuket International Airport. This hotel has two beautiful swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) and a well-equipped gymnasium, for those of you wanting to keep in shape during your holiday. The lounge area and rooms are very modern, spacious and tastefully designed with top quality facilities such as power showers and flat-screen TVs. From top to bottom, the hotel is immaculate. Some of the larger rooms have a fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Plus, there’s a secret side door from the hotel to Tesco Lotus Thalang where you can stock up on snacks! What more could you ask for?
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9. The Passion Nest (Phuket Town) – 690 THB
This hotel is also located in Phuket Town (with an inappropriate name for pandemic times!) and is one of the cheapest on this list. The Passion Nest enjoys a quiet location with a beautiful large swimming pool, ideal for those of you who love doing your morning lengths! The rooms are spacious with large comfortable beds and are and kept spotlessly clean by the lovely staff. The owner and staff are super knowledgeable about the island and the travel restrictions throughout Thailand, so can give you plenty of tips for your onward travels. The WIFI is also very fast for anyone needing to do any remote work whilst here.
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10. The Sixteenth Naiyang Beach Hotel (Nai Yang Beach) – 970 THB
This hotel is a hidden gem located near Nai Yang Beach, one of Phuket’s lesser-known beaches on the Northwestern side of the island. There is a free shuttle service to and from the airport which is very handy and definitely helps with your budget as taxis on Phuket can really add up! The rooms are large, well equipped and very comfortable with desks and tea and coffee making facilities. Oh, and did we mention the lovely rooftop swimming pool with great views? Perfect for plane spotters as the airport is just 1km away!
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