Lub d Phuket Patong

A big, sociable poshtel a few minutes' walk from Patong Beach, with a see-through pool and a Muay Thai ring in the lobby.

Lub d Phuket Patong is the Phuket outpost of Lub d, the Thai 'poshtel' brand that mixes design-led dorms and hotel-style private rooms under one roof. Opened in 2016 on Sawatdirak Road in central Patong, it is a large property, with 154 private rooms and 33 shared dorm rooms, and it is built for meeting people: big shared spaces, organised activities and a crowd that skews young and international.

The room mix runs from dorms to proper hotel-style private rooms. Dorms come in mixed and female-only versions, air-conditioned with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Privates include smaller Compact rooms and 25 sqm Duo rooms with a king or twin beds, all with their own bathroom. Couples or friends who want sleep and privacy but still like the social side should book a Duo room; solo travellers on a budget will be fine in a dorm.

The signature feature is the see-through outdoor pool with a sun terrace, which doubles as the hostel's daytime social hub and hosts pool parties. Inside, a full-size Muay Thai ring sits in the lobby for training sessions, there is a games area with a climbing wall and table tennis, and a co-working space with meeting rooms for those mixing travel and work. Laundry facilities, luggage storage, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk cover the basics.

The on-site restaurant serves Thai and international dishes, and there is a bar for drinks before heading out. Organised activities, including bar crawls, run through the week, which makes it easy to slot into a group even if you arrive alone.

Location is the main draw. Patong Beach is about a three to five minute walk, Bangla Road's nightlife is around 500 to 700 metres away, and Jungceylon shopping mall is within walking distance. Phuket International Airport is roughly 35 to 40 km north, about an hour by road depending on traffic; the hostel can arrange airport transfers.

Lub d suits backpackers, solo travellers and groups of friends who want a pool, a social scene and Patong nightlife on foot. It is not for families, as guests must be 18 or over, and anyone wanting peace and quiet or a more traditional Thai beach experience should look at Kata, Kamala or the north of the island instead.

Practical tips: Patong is loud late into the night, so light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street and pool. Muay Thai sessions depend on trainer availability, so check the schedule at reception when you arrive, and book ahead for weekends and high season, when dorm beds sell out.