Phuket is Thailand's largest island and the setting of the Andaman Sea. On this 543 square kilometer island, everything is intertwined: the neon nightlife of Patong that lasts until the morning, the family-friendly beaches of Karon and Kata, the Leonardo DiCaprio legend of the Phi Phi Islands, the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay jutting out of the water, the pastel-colored Sino-Portuguese architecture of the Old Town, the 360-degree panorama from the top of Big Buddha. It's up to you to decide which role you're in — night chaser, honeymooner, family comer.
Staying in Patong is practical for nightlife, but when you wake up in the morning there is still music on the street. If you come with family, switch to Karon or Kata; It's calmer, the waves are more controlled. If you want a romantic getaway, Surin and Kamala beaches in the north have more stylish beach clubs. Everything is within half an hour's scooter distance of Patong.
Remember that Phuket is an island: monsoon season (May-October) rains hit during the day, but the sun comes out half an hour later. The main season is November-April: the sea is glassy, the sky is clear, prices are at their peak. December to February is the busiest but safest. If you can make it in September-October, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an extraordinary experience — there is no other place to see the rituals where Chinese people pass swords through their faces and walk down the street.