Old favorite beachside resort Kata Thani decided to forgo the costs of renovating their existing rooms and just built new ones instead. Added in mid-2010 are 48 new pool villas at The Shore at Kata Thani (www.theshore.katathani.com), perched on the hill overlooking the Kata Beach. Designed and decorated with a modern tropical ambience (warm colors, plenty of wood), choices range from 130-sq-meter one-bedroom pool villas to 260-sq-meter two-bedroom pool villas. Introductory rates are from B22,500-42,500 per night inclusive of breakfast. Until Mar 11.

Over at Nai Yang Beach, next to the national park, Indigo Pearl (076-327-006, www.indigopearl.com) has introduced its new D-Buk Spa Suite for vacationing couples and D-Buk Family Suite for families of weekenders, both decked out in contemporary designs inspired by Phuket’s historic tin mine culture. Rates start from B13,900 for both suites until Apr 30.

Centra Ashlee Patong (www.centarahotelsresorts.com), a budget hotel brand under Centara Hotels Group, also opened its doors in Dec 2010, offering guests a low-cost shelter around the bustling shopping and nightlife vibes of Patong. Though not exactly on the beachfront, guests can get there in ten minutes on foot. The use of black and red colors creates a fun ambience in all 111 36-sq-meter guestrooms. Introductory rate is B1,660.