Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for continuously preparing cyclohexanone from phenol making use of a catalyst comprising at least one catalytically active metal selected from platinum and palladium comprising a) hydrogenating phenol to form a product stream comprising cyclohexanone and unreacted phenol; b) separating at least part of the product stream, or at least part of the product stream from which one or more components having a lower boiling point than cyclohexanone have been removed, into a first fraction comprising cyclohexanone and a second fraction comprising phenol and cyclohexanol, using distillation; c) separating the second fraction into a third fraction, rich in cyclohexanol, and a fourth fraction, rich in phenol and, using distillation; d) subjecting at least part of the fourth fraction to a further distillation step, thereby forming a fifth fraction and a sixth fraction, wherein the fifth fraction is enriched in phenol compared to the sixth fraction, and wherein the sixth fraction c