Kampaeng Ngam Hotel

In 2015, the Kampaeng Ngam was renovated from an old hotel into a stylish boutique option in a local-feeling area of Chiang Mai. The wood and brick building features wood balconies and columns, and is fronted by several lacquered parasols on a wooden deck. Inside, the lobby features a mix of textures, with both mosaic tile and glossy wood floors, as well as wooden panelling mixed with some exposed red brick walls. Rattan furniture and black leather sofas provide seating, while large white lanterns hang from above and a selection of local art products is displayed in a glass case. The owner is an artist and his personal touches can be seen throughout the property. His paintings hang on the walls in the hallways and elsewhere, along with stacks of Japanese manga comic books from his personal collection. Small statues and hanging masks are dotted throughout, imbuing the chic spaces with an artsy vibe. This compact property has broad appeal, and guests include families, couples, and small groups of friends on vacation.

Kampaeng Ngam Hotel is located between downtown Chiang Mai and the historic old city. It's an interesting area to base one's self, and offers a more authentic take on Chiang Mai life than the touristy old city. A three-minute walk north leads to Tha Phae Road, which is home to some trendy clusters of dining and shops, like Street Pizza and The Wine House. The city's buzzing night market and kickboxing stadium are also just five minutes away on foot. The eastern edge of the old city -- the Tha Phae Gate -- is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, where guests will find sites like Wat Chedi Luang temple (a 15-minute walk), the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center (a 20-minute walk), and the Wat Phra Singh temple (a 25-minute walk). Chiang Mai International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the train station can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. Overall, it's a decent location, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, however, it's worth noting that this part of town is slightly seedy at night, with a lot of girlie bars and rather dubious massage shops. 

There are 44 rooms at Kampaeng Ngam Hotel, most of which fall into the Standard Room category. Rooms are spacious and bright, with fairly simple but pleasant decor that includes red or white tile floors, white walls, teak wood furnishings, and plenty of light. Accent pillows on white bedding provide pops of color, and we love details like wood-beam ceilings and large wood-slat headboards. Simple floral wall art hangs on white walls, and furniture has a chunky, rustic quality, done in dark wood veneer surfaces. Deluxe Rooms offer more space and have either a private balcony overlooking the street or a private "library" sitting room. 

All rooms have modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric hot water kettles, electronic safes, free bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms also have a stack of Japanese manga comic books, part of the owner's massive collection. Bathrooms are small, but clean, with rainfall showers and wall-mounted soap dispensers. Bathrobes are designed by the artist owner. It's worth nothing that these are wet-room bathrooms, and the shower empties into the rest of the bathroom, meaning everything may get wet, despite there being a curtain that sections things off. Unfortunately, because of this, there's a ton of wear on the wooden surfaces in the bathrooms.

Kampaeng Ngam Hotel is small, but it offers a fine enough selection of facilities for guests. There is a tiny swimming pool at the back of the hotel, which can only be accessed on one side. The pool doesn't get much sun, but does have three loungers and a large, umbrella-shaded loveseat for those looking to relax poolside.

The hotel's restaurant offers both an indoor air-conditioned room, as well as a partially open-air space overlooking the swimming pool. The restaurant has long handcrafted wood tables and a coffee bar, and it serves a range of Thai and Western dishes, plus room service is available. While breakfast is not included in room rates, it is quite cheap, and has a decent selection of a la carte options. There is also a bar located out front, set on a wood deck overlooking the street. There are stools here, as well as umbrella-shaded tables set just above the sidewalk.

The hotel has a stylish common area filled with designer chairs, comfortable sofas, snazzy lighting, and a large collection of DVDs and CDs on the wall. It's a great spot to read, enjoy a drink, or escape the heat outside. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and computers are available for guests' use. Parking is available for a fee.