199/42 Changklan Rd., Changklan, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand | (888) 399-9863
In a quiet area just south of downtown and convenient for the airport
Deluxe and Executive Rooms have good views of the mountains and surroundings
Swimming pool is one of Chiang Mai's biggest
Thai restaurant and Chinese restaurant with dim sum buffet
Large conference and function facilities
Small gym with a sauna
Massage room
Fee for Wi-Fi for guests booking through outside sites
Lobby and restaurants can get crowded
Superior Rooms have dated decor
With 375 rooms, the upper-middle-range Empress Hotel is one of the biggest hotels in Chiang Mai. It's located just south of downtown in a quieter and more relaxed area than many similar hotels in the city, but with easy access to local attractions. The rooms here have been recently renovated and are in good shape, and offer flat-screen TVs and views out over Chiang Mai. Standard Superior rooms don't come with many extras, but other categories include safes, robes and slippers, and electric kettles. The swimming pool is one of the largest in the city and is good for laps, and there's a small gym with a sauna. There's also a Thai restaurant and a Chinese restaurant on-site, as well as large conference facilities. Although it's an older hotel, recent renovations and reasonable prices make it a good choice for those wanting to stay in a larger property. Wi-Fi is free only for guests who book directly with the hotel.
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Scene
Huge hotel popular with business and leisure travelers, including large groups
The large lobby is decorated with classic Thai touches like ornate red and gold chairs, carved wood, and a glass table held up by three gold elephant statues. Overhead, the wood ceiling is hand-painted with Thai patterns and set with a tiered wooden chandelier.
There is always plenty going on at the huge Empress Hotel. The Chao Nang Coffee Shop is always packed at breakfast, and you'll find hundreds of business travelers and locals coming in for meetings and to use the giant ballroom and conference rooms. For overseas tourists, the swimming pool -- one of the biggest in Chiang Mai - is a huge draw. It's surrounded by lounge chairs and there's also a busy poolside bar. Guests here come from all places and walks of life, from flashpackers to business guests.
Location
In a quiet area, a 15-minute walk from the city center
The Empress Hotel is located on the quieter end of Chang Khlan Road, 10 to 15 minutes on foot from downtown. It's a 10-minute drive to the historic Old City and about 15 minutes to the airport. While there are plenty of small restaurants and mom-and-pop businesses open during the day, the area around the hotel quiets down at night, so those wanting nightlife or evening dining will be better off heading to the busier Night Bazaar area, a 15-minute walk away.
Rooms
Spacious, renovated rooms with flat-screen TVs
The Empress Hotel is an older hotel but the guest rooms have been renovated. Deluxe and Executive Rooms have faux-wood floors and brightly colored decor, and both room types come equipped with bathrobes and slippers, safes, electric kettles, and tables with chairs. Superior Rooms are more basic and have patterned carpeting instead of wood floors, and lack safes, kettles, and robes/slippers. All rooms include flat-screen TVs. Superior Room bathrooms have walk-in showers, while Deluxe Rooms have the addition of tubs. Executive Rooms come with rainfall showerheads.
Higher room categories are housed on higher floors, but almost all rooms in the high-rise hotel have pleasant views of the mountains and city. Wi-Fi is free only to guests who book directly through the hotel website; three-hour access coupons are sold at the front desk for everyone else.
Features
Huge swimming pool, multiple restaurants, fitness center, and extensive meeting facilities
The Empress features one of Chiang Mai's largest swimming pools that's long enough for swimming laps and is surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs. There 's also a poolside bar and an adjacent fitness center and sauna with an attached massage room.
The Empress also has some of the largest and most extensive meeting and conference facilities in town, including a huge ballroom. The property hosts a steady stream of business events as well as weddings.
The enormous Panda Palace serves Cantonese cuisine at lunch and dinner. It's popular for its dim sum buffets during the day and has a la carte selections by night. The Chao Nang Coffee Shop is also gargantuan, and is where the breakfast buffet is served. Thai lunch and dinner items are served and there are private dining areas along with a huge main section. La Brasserie has French food, but is closed for renovation as of March 2015 and may not reopen until 2016.
