Nordwind Hotel

Among hotels in the budget category near the center of Chiang Mai, this hotel has a bit more style than most. From the outside, the building is pretty nondescript: a rather small eight-story tower with large glass windows. A long carpark area sits underneath it, with a small patio for smokers, plus a fleet of rental bicycles parked outside. A set of wooden stairs leads up to the second-floor lobby, a funky space that sets the tone for this slightly upmarket value property. Light floods in through large windows, and the bright, pleasant space has an eclectic look created by low-slung furniture that's packed with bright silk pillows, while dramatic lattice ceiling panels offer a hint of Old Thai charm. A light fixture composed of stained-glass barrels hangs overhead, while an eye-catching collection of vintage paintings hangs on the wall. There's also a large and attractive carved wood panel with mythical animals covering the wall behind the front desk, stretching up to the high ceiling. Despite the sharp decor, there's little in the way of features here, which is a shame as the style of the place would make it a nice spot to kick back after a day touring Chiang Mai. Plenty of couples pass through here, though families and small groups of friends make their way here as well. It's also a popular pick with Chinese tour groups.

Nordwind Hotel is located slightly south of Chiang Mai's main downtown area, though there are plenty of restaurants and street food all around the hotel. It sits on a quiet side street, so it's a convenient escape from the traffic and noise -- but travelers will have to walk or take a taxi to reach the historic old city and downtown. The night market can be reached within 15 minutes on foot, while the closest entrance into the old city is a 10-minute walk. It's worth noting that once inside the old city, many of the main temples and other sights are farther and may take over 20 minutes to reach. Expect a 40-minute drive to Wat Doi Suthep, the sacred hilltop temple outside of Chiang Mai, with excellent views over the city -- it's particularly popular at sunrise. The railway and bus stations are about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, as is the airport. 

There are 54 rooms at the Nordwind Hotel, most of them entry-level Superior Rooms, with a selection of double, twin, or even triple beds available. The rooms are clean and pleasant, with a blend of modern and classic details. The main body of most rooms have sharp tile floors with floral-pattern sections. Other rooms have flooring done in both tile and wood-laminate sections. Dark hardwood furniture makes a sharp statement -- much of it with thick, classic lines -- while wicker panels add a rustic element to the look. Funky patterns and bright colors in pillows and other soft furnishings offset all of the white and brown tones throughout the spaces. However, it's worth noting that we did spot a bit of wear on some pieces of furniture, and some guests do complain of noise issues due to thin walls. Modern amenities include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, safes, electric hot water kettles, air-conditioning, limited free bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms also have tiny balconies. Bathrooms are particularly attractive, and offer some combination of white marble, geometrically patterned white tiles, and shimmery gray mosaic panels. They have sharp vessel sinks and slick fixtures plus walk-in rainfall showers. Suites are, not surprisingly, the most spacious. They are divided by a partition with a swivel panel that holds the flat-screen TV and divides the bed area from the living space. The sitting area is furnished with a small sofa as well as a wet bar with a sink, mini-fridge, and electric water kettle. The Nordwind Suite has a larger kitchen area, but doesn't come with any extras like cutlery, glasses, or cooking facilities. Norwind Suites also have larger bathrooms with separate tubs and rainfall showers. Both suite categories have large bay windows that let in plenty of light. The views are not impressive, though rooms on one side of the hotel do look out towards the fancy Shangri-La Hotel nearby. 

This small hotel doesn't offer many facilities, which is a shame given its generally impressive style. There is a small breakfast room next to the lobby where the free daily breakfast buffet is served. Reviews are mixed and the variety can be underwhelming -- it's a mix of Asian and Western dishes. Lunch and dinner are not offered. Tour assistance is available at the front desk. The hotel has a fleet of bicycles available for rent. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but there have been some complaints of poor service.