Exploring Patong with Teens: Our 10-Night Experience

After a busy start to our holiday in Bangkok we arrived in Phuket ready to slow things down. We booked 10 nights at the Graceland Resort & Spa Patong. We stayed in one of the swim-up rooms and it was even better than we expected and worth every penny. We booked trough booking. The room opened directly onto the pool. We made full use of the facilities every day.

The resort is beachfront so it was easy to switch between the pool and the sea. We spent long afternoons swimming relaxing and watching the sun go down. The beachfront path was lined with smoothie stalls which became a daily favourite for the kids. There was something new to try every night from mango blends to dragon fruit and coconut shakes.

In the evening we loved being able to walk to nearby restaurants night markets and food stalls. We visited both the OTOP Market and Malin Plaza regularly. Both offered a great mix of local food souvenirs and clothes. The atmosphere was relaxed and it felt safe enough for our teens to wander on their own while we sat nearby with a cocktail. It was the perfect balance plenty to do but no pressure to rush anywhere.

Phuket gave us space to recharge enjoy some quiet family time and settle into the slower pace of beach life exactly what we needed after a packed start to the trip.

Celebrating Our Son’s 13th Birthday in Phuket

We wanted our son’s 13th birthday to feel really special and Phuket delivered in every way. We worked with our hotel ahead of time to arrange a birthday balloon package. When we returned to the room that afternoon it was beautifully decorated. Balloons were everywhere and a surprise birthday cake waiting for him. It was such a thoughtful touch and really set the tone for the day.

For his birthday adventure we had pre booked a combo ATV ride and zipline experience with Viator. The boys (our son and husband) were picked up from the hotel in the morning. They spent the whole day riding ATVs through the jungle, zipping across treetops and exploring the terrain it was exactly the kind of active, adrenaline filled experience teens love. They came back muddy, smiling and full of stories.

That evening we booked a birthday dinner at Three Monkeys a stunning restaurant set in the jungle treetops with views overlooking the hills. To top it all off we added the birthday package with balloons and cake! The atmosphere was lively the food was great and the setting made the whole evening feel like something out of a movie.

While the boys were off on their adventure during the day my daughter and I took the opportunity to have some relaxation time. We booked the 4-hour “Morning Spa Package”, we booked through viator which included transport and lunch the treatments included a full body scrub, traditional Thai massage, pedicure and facial. The spa itself was peaceful and beautifully designed and the treatments were heavenly. It was the perfect mix of self care and quality time together.

It was a special birthday celebration filled with adventure, relaxation and a few unexpected surprises definitely one our family won’t forget.

Day Trip to Phuket Old Town and Naka Weekend Market

One of the highlights of our trip was a day spent exploring Phuket Old Town. Located inland from the beach areas this part of the island has a completely different feel more relaxed and full of character. The streets are lined with colourful Sino Portuguese buildings, local boutiques, street art, and cosy cafés. It’s a great place to wander, take photos and soak in a bit of culture beyond the beach.

We planned our visit to coincide with the Naka Weekend Market which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in the evening. This is one of Phuket’s largest and most popular night markets. The atmosphere was buzzing and the stalls offered everything from handmade crafts to souvenirs, clothes, tech accessories and some of the best knock off gear we saw anywhere in Thailand all at very affordable prices.

If you’re traveling with teens this market is a hit. It’s full of budget friendly shopping and fun to explore. We found everything from branded T shirts to replica sneakers and gadgets all at prices lower than we’d seen elsewhere on our trip.

We used Grab to get there and back, which made the whole trip easy and stress free. It’s a reliable option for families who want to explore beyond their hotel without worrying about local taxis or haggling over fares.

12 Fun Things to Do in Patong with Teens

1. Learn to Surf Right on the Beach
   Chill surf schools and a FlowRider simulator make catching your first wave super doable (and totally Instagrammable).
2. Jet Skis, Parasailing & Banana Boats
   If you’re chasing thrills, Patong’s got jet skis, parasailing for epic views and banana boat rides for unforgettable wipe outs just stick to operators with good safety gear.
3. Splash Around at Waterparks
   Cool off at Andamanda where giant slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones keep the energy high without the sand.
4. Snorkelling & Diving Trips
   Explore nearby islands like Racha Yai or Racha Noi for better visibility, coral and the chance of spotting turtles.
5. Island-Hopping Adventures
   Hop on a speedboat to dreamy spots like Phi Phi Islands, Freedom Beach, or Banana Beach peaceful, picture perfect escapes.
6. Watch a Muay Thai Fight
   Head to Bangla Boxing Stadium for a live Muay Thai showdown. It’s cultural, action-packed and was even featured in The White Lotus (Season 3).
7. Night Markets & Shopping
   Go treasure hunting at Royal Paradise Night Market or enjoy air conditioned browsing at Jungceylon Mall.
8. Fly Through the Trees at Hanuman World
   Swing through the jungle on ziplines and bridges nature and adrenaline in one.
9. Chill at Nearby Beaches
   Switch up the scene at Kamala, Kata or Karon Beaches all peaceful, scenic spots great for downtime.
10. Big Buddha & Phuket Old Town
    Climb up for sunset views at the Big Buddha then wander Phuket Old Town’s colourful streets and cool cafés.
11. Simon Cabaret Show
    A glitzy, family friendly cabaret with spectacular costumes and energy. Reviews say it’s a “Las Vegas-style” delight and often sells out so booking early is wise!
12. Treat Yourself to a Spa Package, Phuket is packed with spas offering affordable packages think foot scrubs, Thai massages and aloe vera body wraps for after sun care. Many welcome teens, especially if you choose gentler treatments like facials or foot massages. It’s the perfect way to recharge after busy beach days.
13. At Phuket Botanic Garden, you can step onto huge Victoria Amazonica water lilies that are strong enough to hold your weight (yes, really!). It’s one of those “wow” moments perfect for a family photo or a quirky Instagram post.

Our Final Families Thoughts on Patong

We really enjoyed our time in Phuket and staying in Patong worked well for our family overall. It’s very central, which made getting around easy. There were plenty of food options, shops, and activities right on our doorstep which helped keep things simple when traveling with teens.

That said 10 nights in Patong felt a little long for us. By the end we were definitely ready to move on and explore other parts of the island. In hindsight we probably would have preferred around 7 or 8 nights just to break things up a bit and avoid feeling too settled in one spot.

As for the nightlife scene yes, Bangla Road has a reputation and it’s definitely an eye opener especially for teens. But it’s easy to avoid if that’s not your thing. We didn’t find it particularly confronting unless we walked through it later in the evening. It didn’t bother us and in many ways it was just another part of the local experience.

Would we stay in Patong again? Probably, yes especially for the convenience and variety but for a slightly shorter stay next time.

I’ve included links in this post to the tours we booked on Viator, our flights via Skyscanner and our accommodation through Booking.com. If you decide to book using these links it will not cost you anything extra but I may earn small commission as an affiliate, which helps support this blog. Thank You!