The 54-room Nordwind Hotel is a sharp little budget property that's a 10-minute walk outside of the old city. Rooms are clean and have lovely contemporary bathrooms with rainfall showers plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, though guests complain of noise issues due to thin walls. Breakfast is included in rates, though is underwhelming. Bicycles are available for rent and Wi-Fi is free, but the signal isn't always the strongest. While the hotel falls in the budget category, it is still more expensive than some guesthouses that are in the old city. For something with a lot more local character, it's worth considering a property like BaanBooLoo Traditional Guest House, in the heart of the old city.
The 54-room Nordwind Hotel is a sharp little budget property that's a 10-minute walk outside of the old city. Rooms are clean and have lovely contemporary bathrooms with rainfall showers plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, though guests complain of noise issues due to thin walls. Breakfast is included in rates, though is underwhelming. Bicycles are available for rent and Wi-Fi is free, but the signal isn't always the strongest. While the hotel falls in the budget category, it is still more expensive than some guesthouses that are in the old city. For something with a lot more local character, it's worth considering a property like BaanBooLoo Traditional Guest House, in the heart of the old city.
The 13-room Ruen Come In is an upper-middle-range boutique property in a quiet neighborhood away from the tourist hubbub of Chiang Mai. You'll need to budget 10 to 15 minutes by taxi to reach the Old City center. That distance aside, this is a peaceful place, with lovely Northern Thai and Lanna-style wood rooms featuring air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles for tea and coffee. Some have large outdoor spaces overlooking beautiful gardens. The restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine for all meals, including breakfast, which is included in some rates. The outdoor pool is a nice place for relaxing, and yoga classes are offered daily. If you'd prefer something a bit more contemporary and slightly closer to the Old City walls, opt for the Hotel des Artists Ping Silhouette instead.
The 13-room Ruen Come In is an upper-middle-range boutique property in a quiet neighborhood away from the tourist hubbub of Chiang Mai. You'll need to budget 10 to 15 minutes by taxi to reach the Old City center. That distance aside, this is a peaceful place, with lovely Northern Thai and Lanna-style wood rooms featuring air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and kettles for tea and coffee. Some have large outdoor spaces overlooking beautiful gardens. The restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine for all meals, including breakfast, which is included in some rates. The outdoor pool is a nice place for relaxing, and yoga classes are offered daily. If you'd prefer something a bit more contemporary and slightly closer to the Old City walls, opt for the Hotel des Artists Ping Silhouette instead.
The 15-room Vanilla Place Guest House is a bright budget option in the center of Chiang Mai, just a five-minute walk from the city's main Night Market. Comfy, essentials-only rooms have en-suite bathrooms plus air-conditioning, but certain rooms lack windows. A light continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and the owner has an abundance of excellent local knowledge and is a guest favorite. For a budget option inside of the walls of the Old City, travelers should compare rates at Banilah, which has slightly smarter rooms and a Cat Cafe (yes, with actual cats).
The 15-room Vanilla Place Guest House is a bright budget option in the center of Chiang Mai, just a five-minute walk from the city's main Night Market. Comfy, essentials-only rooms have en-suite bathrooms plus air-conditioning, but certain rooms lack windows. A light continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and the owner has an abundance of excellent local knowledge and is a guest favorite. For a budget option inside of the walls of the Old City, travelers should compare rates at Banilah, which has slightly smarter rooms and a Cat Cafe (yes, with actual cats).
The upscale 21-room Sirilanna is in the center of the Old City, just a 15-minute walk from the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Lanna-style rooms have impeccable antique furniture plus rainfall showerheads and jetted tubs in bathrooms, but street noise can be an issue in some rooms. The on-site Thai restaurant and beautiful outdoor pool are highlights -- pools in the Old City are a rarity -- and Wi-Fi, airport transportation, and a simple breakfast are free. Guests should compare rates at the Bodhi Serene Hotel, which has similar features and a slightly less traditional style.
The upscale 21-room Sirilanna is in the center of the Old City, just a 15-minute walk from the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Lanna-style rooms have impeccable antique furniture plus rainfall showerheads and jetted tubs in bathrooms, but street noise can be an issue in some rooms. The on-site Thai restaurant and beautiful outdoor pool are highlights -- pools in the Old City are a rarity -- and Wi-Fi, airport transportation, and a simple breakfast are free. Guests should compare rates at the Bodhi Serene Hotel, which has similar features and a slightly less traditional style.
Swiss-Lanna Lodge is a homey, budget guesthouse with only seven rooms, tucked away on the quiet east side of the Ping River. Though not centrally located -- it's a 10- to 15-minute cab ride to major sights -- there are local restaurants and shops nearby. Housed in a traditional Thai wooden house, rooms are pleasant, ranging from units with shared bathrooms to rooms with air-conditioning and a whirlpool tubs -- but noise from neighboring rooms and creaky floorboards can be an issue. Some rooms have flat-screen TVs and minibars, and all come with free Wi-Fi. A small terrace restaurant serves breakfast, along with drinks and snacks during the day. It's not as cheap as the ZZ House just around the corner, but it has far more character and rooms are nicer.
Swiss-Lanna Lodge is a homey, budget guesthouse with only seven rooms, tucked away on the quiet east side of the Ping River. Though not centrally located -- it's a 10- to 15-minute cab ride to major sights -- there are local restaurants and shops nearby. Housed in a traditional Thai wooden house, rooms are pleasant, ranging from units with shared bathrooms to rooms with air-conditioning and a whirlpool tubs -- but noise from neighboring rooms and creaky floorboards can be an issue. Some rooms have flat-screen TVs and minibars, and all come with free Wi-Fi. A small terrace restaurant serves breakfast, along with drinks and snacks during the day. It's not as cheap as the ZZ House just around the corner, but it has far more character and rooms are nicer.
Green Tiger Vegetarian House is a three-pearl guesthouse in Chiang Mai's historic old city. There are only 32 rooms here, and they are mostly on the small side, but pleasantly decorated with hill tribe-embroidered cushions, and the better rooms have fantastic views out to Doi Suthep and the mountains. Dorms are also available. There's a tiny swimming pool in the back, but the big draw is the large vegetarian restaurant, which serves excellent Asian and Western vegetarian dishes made from fresh organic produce. For something with even more personality, check out one of the traditionally rustic rooms at BaanBooLoo Traditional Thai Guest House, though it lacks a pool and rates may be higher.
Green Tiger Vegetarian House is a three-pearl guesthouse in Chiang Mai's historic old city. There are only 32 rooms here, and they are mostly on the small side, but pleasantly decorated with hill tribe-embroidered cushions, and the better rooms have fantastic views out to Doi Suthep and the mountains. Dorms are also available. There's a tiny swimming pool in the back, but the big draw is the large vegetarian restaurant, which serves excellent Asian and Western vegetarian dishes made from fresh organic produce. For something with even more personality, check out one of the traditionally rustic rooms at BaanBooLoo Traditional Thai Guest House, though it lacks a pool and rates may be higher.
This three-pearl, 29-room boutique hotel is located in the Old City, just a two-minute walk from one of Chiang Mai's most famous temples, Wat Phra Singh. It's ideally located for anyone exploring the area by foot, offering sleek, contemporary interiors and modern facilities. Air-conditioned rooms are designed in a minimalist style and all have flat-screen TVs and small furnished balconies. There's a compact pool for cooling off, though sun loungers are limited. Features are otherwise limited, but guests can help themselves to a free breakfast buffet with excellent hot and cold options. Other freebies include Wi-Fi, bikes, and cold bottled water all day long. Alternatively, the hotel's sister property -- BED Nimman (Adults Only) -- offers similar facilities and a trendy location near Nimmanhaemin Road.
This three-pearl, 29-room boutique hotel is located in the Old City, just a two-minute walk from one of Chiang Mai's most famous temples, Wat Phra Singh. It's ideally located for anyone exploring the area by foot, offering sleek, contemporary interiors and modern facilities. Air-conditioned rooms are designed in a minimalist style and all have flat-screen TVs and small furnished balconies. There's a compact pool for cooling off, though sun loungers are limited. Features are otherwise limited, but guests can help themselves to a free breakfast buffet with excellent hot and cold options. Other freebies include Wi-Fi, bikes, and cold bottled water all day long. Alternatively, the hotel's sister property -- BED Nimman (Adults Only) -- offers similar facilities and a trendy location near Nimmanhaemin Road.
Kampaeng Ngam Hotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel that's a five-minute walk from the night market, and a 10-minute walk to the old city. The owner, an artist, has turned this into a boutique hotel full of his paintings and design touches, like his collection of Japanese manga comic books that can be found in rooms and lining shelves in the stylish common areas. The 44 rooms are bright and spacious, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but wet-room style bathrooms are tiny. The hotel has a small swimming pool as well as a restaurant and bar, though unfortunately breakfast isn't included (it is cheap, though). It's worth considering the 99 The Gallery Hotel, an artsy boutique property right in the old city, but rooms are small.
Kampaeng Ngam Hotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl hotel that's a five-minute walk from the night market, and a 10-minute walk to the old city. The owner, an artist, has turned this into a boutique hotel full of his paintings and design touches, like his collection of Japanese manga comic books that can be found in rooms and lining shelves in the stylish common areas. The 44 rooms are bright and spacious, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but wet-room style bathrooms are tiny. The hotel has a small swimming pool as well as a restaurant and bar, though unfortunately breakfast isn't included (it is cheap, though). It's worth considering the 99 The Gallery Hotel, an artsy boutique property right in the old city, but rooms are small.
The upper-middle-range, 60-room Grand Napat is in the residential Chang Phueak neighborhood of Chiang Mai, a five-minute drive from the historic Old City. Modern serviced apartments all have balconies and kitchenettes, and some have lovely mountain views, though we did notice a lingering smoky odor when we visited. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and airport transportation are free, and there is an on-site Thai restaurant plus a marvelous outdoor pool with a children’s area plus a spacious fitness center. Guests looking for an upscale downtown hotel should consider the Le Meridien Chiang Mai, with its luxurious vibe and rooftop pool.
The upper-middle-range, 60-room Grand Napat is in the residential Chang Phueak neighborhood of Chiang Mai, a five-minute drive from the historic Old City. Modern serviced apartments all have balconies and kitchenettes, and some have lovely mountain views, though we did notice a lingering smoky odor when we visited. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and airport transportation are free, and there is an on-site Thai restaurant plus a marvelous outdoor pool with a children’s area plus a spacious fitness center. Guests looking for an upscale downtown hotel should consider the Le Meridien Chiang Mai, with its luxurious vibe and rooftop pool.
The 74-room Siripanna is an elegant boutique resort with several unique touches. Located outside of the city center, it feels like a rural retreat, although it isn't more than a 10-minute drive from downtown. The resort features its own rice field that guests can help farm, a gorgeous traditional Thai teak house in a garden setting that can be used for weddings and romantic dinners, and lovely grounds. Rooms here incorporate plenty of teak, and have balconies, bathtubs, and huge 42-inch LCD televisions. The restaurant serves a mix of Western and Thai cuisine for all three meals, but the cloudy pool here is more like an artistic canal and isn't all that swimmer-friendly.
The 74-room Siripanna is an elegant boutique resort with several unique touches. Located outside of the city center, it feels like a rural retreat, although it isn't more than a 10-minute drive from downtown. The resort features its own rice field that guests can help farm, a gorgeous traditional Thai teak house in a garden setting that can be used for weddings and romantic dinners, and lovely grounds. Rooms here incorporate plenty of teak, and have balconies, bathtubs, and huge 42-inch LCD televisions. The restaurant serves a mix of Western and Thai cuisine for all three meals, but the cloudy pool here is more like an artistic canal and isn't all that swimmer-friendly.