Situated a bit outside of the main tourist areas, yet still within walking distance of top attractions like the Night Bazaar, this upscale boutique hotel offers a quiet atmosphere, charming northern Lanna-style architecture, and pretty grounds complete with an attractive outdoor pool. Its 30 guest rooms feature elegant traditional decor and large terraces or balconies furnished with chic seating that overlook the courtyard and pool below. There's a small spa on-site, as well as a fitness room -- though it only offers a couple of machines. The on-site restaurant is open all day, serving Thai and Western fare as well as high afternoon tea, plus there's a poolside bar. The hotel offers a free one-way tuk-tuk drop-off service to top attractions, but travelers wishing to stay within the Old City might want to check out the upscale Sirilanna -- though it's not as quiet.
Situated a bit outside of the main tourist areas, yet still within walking distance of top attractions like the Night Bazaar, this upscale boutique hotel offers a quiet atmosphere, charming northern Lanna-style architecture, and pretty grounds complete with an attractive outdoor pool. Its 30 guest rooms feature elegant traditional decor and large terraces or balconies furnished with chic seating that overlook the courtyard and pool below. There's a small spa on-site, as well as a fitness room -- though it only offers a couple of machines. The on-site restaurant is open all day, serving Thai and Western fare as well as high afternoon tea, plus there's a poolside bar. The hotel offers a free one-way tuk-tuk drop-off service to top attractions, but travelers wishing to stay within the Old City might want to check out the upscale Sirilanna -- though it's not as quiet.
The mid-range Suriwongse is one of the oldest hotels in Chiang Mai, and it is showing its age, though it has undergone upgrade projects in recent years. The location right downtown and near the Night Bazaar is convenient, although this is also an area of heavy traffic that gets rather seedy at night, with girlie bars and tourist hustlers. Fueng Fah Restaurant serves an inclusive breakfast buffet, and Le Bistrot out on the corner has some decent Italian food. The rooms are average, and they don't even include free Wi-Fi, although the ones on the upper floors do have good city views. The hotel added a rooftop fitness center and pool in 2014. The Suriwongse is one of the cheaper options in this category in the heart of downtown, so it may be worth a stay for this reason alone.
The mid-range Suriwongse is one of the oldest hotels in Chiang Mai, and it is showing its age, though it has undergone upgrade projects in recent years. The location right downtown and near the Night Bazaar is convenient, although this is also an area of heavy traffic that gets rather seedy at night, with girlie bars and tourist hustlers. Fueng Fah Restaurant serves an inclusive breakfast buffet, and Le Bistrot out on the corner has some decent Italian food. The rooms are average, and they don't even include free Wi-Fi, although the ones on the upper floors do have good city views. The hotel added a rooftop fitness center and pool in 2014. The Suriwongse is one of the cheaper options in this category in the heart of downtown, so it may be worth a stay for this reason alone.
The 123-room Dhara Dhevi is Chiang Mai's top luxury property, and is much more than just a resort. It was built to resemble an ancient Lanna kingdom or Burmese temple complex, and with horse and carriage transport at the gate, a huge swimming pool sitting under towering castle-like surroundings, and impressive faux temple ruins, it delivers plenty of wow factor. Villas with private plunge pools are made from reconstructed rice barns and overlook working rice paddies, while the Colonial Wing has elegant colonial-style rooms. The features here are spectacular: One of Thailand's best spas is housed in what looks like a giant temple, and gourmet dining options range from haute French cuisine to royal Thai fare. Guests also get access to a library of over 5,000 books and DVDs. This is truly one of Thailand's most romantic and luxurious stays, but also one its most expensive.
The 123-room Dhara Dhevi is Chiang Mai's top luxury property, and is much more than just a resort. It was built to resemble an ancient Lanna kingdom or Burmese temple complex, and with horse and carriage transport at the gate, a huge swimming pool sitting under towering castle-like surroundings, and impressive faux temple ruins, it delivers plenty of wow factor. Villas with private plunge pools are made from reconstructed rice barns and overlook working rice paddies, while the Colonial Wing has elegant colonial-style rooms. The features here are spectacular: One of Thailand's best spas is housed in what looks like a giant temple, and gourmet dining options range from haute French cuisine to royal Thai fare. Guests also get access to a library of over 5,000 books and DVDs. This is truly one of Thailand's most romantic and luxurious stays, but also one its most expensive.
BaanBooLoo is certainly unique in Chiang Mai. This charming and rustic guesthouse, hidden away behind a temple in the heart of the old city, is part of a family home, and the amiable owners strive to recreate the traditional Thai guesthouse feel of old, with plenty of local charm. The six rooms are basic for a boutique hotel, and have open-air or tree-house style, but do provide nice touches like large outdoor bathtubs and plenty of mosquito netting. There is no proper restaurant, but guests are always invited to cook and eat with the family to experience true Thai hospitality. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
BaanBooLoo is certainly unique in Chiang Mai. This charming and rustic guesthouse, hidden away behind a temple in the heart of the old city, is part of a family home, and the amiable owners strive to recreate the traditional Thai guesthouse feel of old, with plenty of local charm. The six rooms are basic for a boutique hotel, and have open-air or tree-house style, but do provide nice touches like large outdoor bathtubs and plenty of mosquito netting. There is no proper restaurant, but guests are always invited to cook and eat with the family to experience true Thai hospitality. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
The Duangtawan Hotel occupies a prominent spot smack in the middle of central Chiang Mai. It's close to the airport, and within easy access of the Night Bazaar. However, this area is also full of noisy traffic and can feel seedy at night, with go-go bars and lots of touts in the area. With 512 rooms, it's one of Chiang Mai's largest hotels. That said, rooms look a bit worn and dim, although they are among the best value for the category in this part of town. The facilities are abundant, ranging from a large outdoor pool to a huge fitness center and spa, but the fitness center is open to the public and can be crowded. There's also an excellent choice of restaurants and bars on-site with cuisine ranging from Chinese to Italian.
The Duangtawan Hotel occupies a prominent spot smack in the middle of central Chiang Mai. It's close to the airport, and within easy access of the Night Bazaar. However, this area is also full of noisy traffic and can feel seedy at night, with go-go bars and lots of touts in the area. With 512 rooms, it's one of Chiang Mai's largest hotels. That said, rooms look a bit worn and dim, although they are among the best value for the category in this part of town. The facilities are abundant, ranging from a large outdoor pool to a huge fitness center and spa, but the fitness center is open to the public and can be crowded. There's also an excellent choice of restaurants and bars on-site with cuisine ranging from Chinese to Italian.
The De Naga is a small and charming boutique hotel located just inside the moat of the historical old city. The location is perfect for those who want to explore old Chiang Mai and its many temples, and there are lot of places to eat and drink in this area. The hotel's small size allows for personalised service from the amiable staff and all of the rooms are done in traditional northern Thai style, with plenty of teak wood and boutique furnishings. It's a great spot to use as a base and for a peaceful night's sleep -- but don't expect too many extras. The pool here is more like a large bathtub (it really is that small!) and there is no fitness center. For art lovers, the hotel has its own gallery, perhaps the only hotel in Thailand to have one.
The De Naga is a small and charming boutique hotel located just inside the moat of the historical old city. The location is perfect for those who want to explore old Chiang Mai and its many temples, and there are lot of places to eat and drink in this area. The hotel's small size allows for personalised service from the amiable staff and all of the rooms are done in traditional northern Thai style, with plenty of teak wood and boutique furnishings. It's a great spot to use as a base and for a peaceful night's sleep -- but don't expect too many extras. The pool here is more like a large bathtub (it really is that small!) and there is no fitness center. For art lovers, the hotel has its own gallery, perhaps the only hotel in Thailand to have one.
The 383-room Le Meridien is one of the top stays in Chiang Mai, with chic, zen-like rooms in eight categories; a location in the heart of downtown, just steps from the Night Bazaar; and superb features, including an elegant Italian restaurant, pampering spa, and modern fitness center. The hotel is one of the tallest in the city, and has outstanding views of Doi Suthep mountain from its beautiful rooftop pool (not to mention some of the rooms). The only drawbacks here come from outside of the hotel, as there is plenty of traffic in the area, and the neighborhood turns a tad seedy at night, with plenty of girlie bars and tourist hustlers around.
The 383-room Le Meridien is one of the top stays in Chiang Mai, with chic, zen-like rooms in eight categories; a location in the heart of downtown, just steps from the Night Bazaar; and superb features, including an elegant Italian restaurant, pampering spa, and modern fitness center. The hotel is one of the tallest in the city, and has outstanding views of Doi Suthep mountain from its beautiful rooftop pool (not to mention some of the rooms). The only drawbacks here come from outside of the hotel, as there is plenty of traffic in the area, and the neighborhood turns a tad seedy at night, with plenty of girlie bars and tourist hustlers around.
The Holiday Inn Chiang Mai might look slightly worn compared to some of the competitors in town, not to mention being on the opposite side of the Ping River from downtown and the tourist attractions, but it does have the largest rooms in all Chiang Mai, as well as excellent views out toward the mountains. The large hotel, with over 500 rooms, is popular amongst tour groups, offers good value for the money, and gives guests plenty of space to sprawl out. While there is no spa and the swimming pool if far too small for the number of guests, there is a fitness center, a Chinese restaurant, and an international buffet at the River Terrace.
The Holiday Inn Chiang Mai might look slightly worn compared to some of the competitors in town, not to mention being on the opposite side of the Ping River from downtown and the tourist attractions, but it does have the largest rooms in all Chiang Mai, as well as excellent views out toward the mountains. The large hotel, with over 500 rooms, is popular amongst tour groups, offers good value for the money, and gives guests plenty of space to sprawl out. While there is no spa and the swimming pool if far too small for the number of guests, there is a fitness center, a Chinese restaurant, and an international buffet at the River Terrace.
The Dusit D2 is a spiffy urban-chic hotel located right in the heart of downtown Chiang Mai right across the street from the famous Night Bazaar. While the rooms are small, they have sleek, modern design, rain showers, pillow menus, DVD players, and flat-screen LCD televisions. The Moxie Restaurant serves up included buffet breakfasts and the Mixx Bar's star bartender has won several national awards. The choice location does mean that there is plenty of traffic, noise, and tourist hassles to deal with just outside the door.
The Dusit D2 is a spiffy urban-chic hotel located right in the heart of downtown Chiang Mai right across the street from the famous Night Bazaar. While the rooms are small, they have sleek, modern design, rain showers, pillow menus, DVD players, and flat-screen LCD televisions. The Moxie Restaurant serves up included buffet breakfasts and the Mixx Bar's star bartender has won several national awards. The choice location does mean that there is plenty of traffic, noise, and tourist hassles to deal with just outside the door.
The upscale, 30-room Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel has one of the more picturesque locations in Chiang Mai, sitting right along the banks of the Ping River. The backyard garden is a great spot to sit and watch the river go by and enjoy peace and quiet. The resort is a 25-minute walk from the center of downtown, and the hotel offers free shuttle service to the night markets. However, lovely setting aside, the resort doesn't offer too many other enticements. There is no fitness center, the swimming pool is tiny, the rooms are dim, and unless one splashes out for the Elephant Suites, not of great value. Those looking for a small, peaceful hotel will enjoy it here, and the free bicycles the resort has for guest use make getting around Chiang Mai a breeze.
The upscale, 30-room Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel has one of the more picturesque locations in Chiang Mai, sitting right along the banks of the Ping River. The backyard garden is a great spot to sit and watch the river go by and enjoy peace and quiet. The resort is a 25-minute walk from the center of downtown, and the hotel offers free shuttle service to the night markets. However, lovely setting aside, the resort doesn't offer too many other enticements. There is no fitness center, the swimming pool is tiny, the rooms are dim, and unless one splashes out for the Elephant Suites, not of great value. Those looking for a small, peaceful hotel will enjoy it here, and the free bicycles the resort has for guest use make getting around Chiang Mai a breeze.