This Le Meridien is one of Chiang Rai's top hotels. Located outside of town on the banks of the Kok River, this luxury resort has 159 elegant rooms with large furnished balconies, luxe bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, and modern amenities -- but Wi-Fi isn't always free. The resort has a huge riverside swimming pool with a large kids' pool, as well as a kids' club. There's also a modern fitness center, spa, two restaurants, and two atmospheric bars. Unfortunately, the hotel is well outside the city center, though it does offer a shuttle bus into town (which isn't included in room rates). It's worth considering A Star Phulare Valley Resort Chiang Ra, which has fewer amenities, but rates are cheaper and its gorgeous grounds include a sheep and strawberry farm.
This Le Meridien is one of Chiang Rai's top hotels. Located outside of town on the banks of the Kok River, this luxury resort has 159 elegant rooms with large furnished balconies, luxe bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, and modern amenities -- but Wi-Fi isn't always free. The resort has a huge riverside swimming pool with a large kids' pool, as well as a kids' club. There's also a modern fitness center, spa, two restaurants, and two atmospheric bars. Unfortunately, the hotel is well outside the city center, though it does offer a shuttle bus into town (which isn't included in room rates). It's worth considering A Star Phulare Valley Resort Chiang Ra, which has fewer amenities, but rates are cheaper and its gorgeous grounds include a sheep and strawberry farm.
A Star Phulare Valley Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl resort a 30-minute drive north of Chiang Rai, surrounded by fruit orchards and gardens. The 131 rooms include Pool Villas, though all rooms are spacious and have private balconies. However, the utterly spartan modern decor and noticeable wear on some furniture are a bit of a let down. Wi-Fi is free. The resort has an infinity pool with hill views, plus a poolside restaurant and two bars, but no fitness center or spa. The sheep and strawberry farms are both special additions -- making this a popular spot for families -- and there are bicycles and ATVs for rent. The nearest competition is Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, which is pricier, but delivers far more facilities.
A Star Phulare Valley Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl resort a 30-minute drive north of Chiang Rai, surrounded by fruit orchards and gardens. The 131 rooms include Pool Villas, though all rooms are spacious and have private balconies. However, the utterly spartan modern decor and noticeable wear on some furniture are a bit of a let down. Wi-Fi is free. The resort has an infinity pool with hill views, plus a poolside restaurant and two bars, but no fitness center or spa. The sheep and strawberry farms are both special additions -- making this a popular spot for families -- and there are bicycles and ATVs for rent. The nearest competition is Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, which is pricier, but delivers far more facilities.
The 40-room Le Patta is a mid-range boutique hotel located in the heart of Chiang Rai, just down the street from the Clock Tower and close to the night market, bus station, restaurants, and shops. Rooms are bright and spacious, with simple decor, furnished balconies, and perks like free nonalcoholic minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a small saltwater swimming pool, a fitness room, and a cozy restaurant serving Thai and European food. Free bicycles are available, plus the hotel offers free breakfast. Travelers might want to compare with the nearby Nak Nakara, which is a bit less stylish and doesn't have a fitness room, but rates are cheaper.
The 40-room Le Patta is a mid-range boutique hotel located in the heart of Chiang Rai, just down the street from the Clock Tower and close to the night market, bus station, restaurants, and shops. Rooms are bright and spacious, with simple decor, furnished balconies, and perks like free nonalcoholic minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel has a small saltwater swimming pool, a fitness room, and a cozy restaurant serving Thai and European food. Free bicycles are available, plus the hotel offers free breakfast. Travelers might want to compare with the nearby Nak Nakara, which is a bit less stylish and doesn't have a fitness room, but rates are cheaper.
De Hug Hotel & Residence is a budget city hotel set a five-minute drive from Chiang Rai's city center, on a busy street surrounded by lots of local restaurants and shops. Sixty rooms are clean and functional, with large refrigerators, free Wi-Fi, and small balconies. The hotel caters to domestic travelers coming to work or stay long term in Chiang Rai, so there aren't any facilities like a swimming pool or fitness center, and the restaurant is only open for a free breakfast. Cutesy doll statues and stuffed animals and dolls in the lobby are cheerful, but at core the style here is simple. Rates can be far cheaper than many competitors, including Nak Nakara, where there's a pool but prices are higher.
De Hug Hotel & Residence is a budget city hotel set a five-minute drive from Chiang Rai's city center, on a busy street surrounded by lots of local restaurants and shops. Sixty rooms are clean and functional, with large refrigerators, free Wi-Fi, and small balconies. The hotel caters to domestic travelers coming to work or stay long term in Chiang Rai, so there aren't any facilities like a swimming pool or fitness center, and the restaurant is only open for a free breakfast. Cutesy doll statues and stuffed animals and dolls in the lobby are cheerful, but at core the style here is simple. Rates can be far cheaper than many competitors, including Nak Nakara, where there's a pool but prices are higher.
Nak Nakara is a mid-range, family run hotel set in downtown Chiang Rai, within walking distance of several main attractions and close to restaurants and shops. The hotel has 69 rooms, some of which are fairly plain and simple (though there are plans for renovation in mid-2016), while upper-category units feature nice northern Thai decor and vivid murals. Modern conveniences include flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. The resort has a small swimming pool, a street-side restaurant, and a tiny bar in the lobby. It's hard to beat the location here, though La Patta is worth a look. It's also smack in the middle of town and has slightly more contemporary rooms, though rates will be higher.
Nak Nakara is a mid-range, family run hotel set in downtown Chiang Rai, within walking distance of several main attractions and close to restaurants and shops. The hotel has 69 rooms, some of which are fairly plain and simple (though there are plans for renovation in mid-2016), while upper-category units feature nice northern Thai decor and vivid murals. Modern conveniences include flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. The resort has a small swimming pool, a street-side restaurant, and a tiny bar in the lobby. It's hard to beat the location here, though La Patta is worth a look. It's also smack in the middle of town and has slightly more contemporary rooms, though rates will be higher.
The Legend Chiang Rai is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 78-unit resort on the banks of the Kok River, just outside of downtown Chiang Rai. Rooms are spacious, with large private balconies or terraces, with lots of rustic charm, though some details were looking a bit worn when we visited. There are even Pool Villas with their own private plunge pools. Features include an infinity pool with a hot tub, a small spa and beauty salon, an Italian restaurant, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a reading room with computers. There's even a small, modern fitness room. While The Legend is certainly charming and romantic, it's pricier than fellow riverside competitor Le Meridien, a luxury hotel that has far more extensive facilities and a bit more polish.
The Legend Chiang Rai is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 78-unit resort on the banks of the Kok River, just outside of downtown Chiang Rai. Rooms are spacious, with large private balconies or terraces, with lots of rustic charm, though some details were looking a bit worn when we visited. There are even Pool Villas with their own private plunge pools. Features include an infinity pool with a hot tub, a small spa and beauty salon, an Italian restaurant, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a reading room with computers. There's even a small, modern fitness room. While The Legend is certainly charming and romantic, it's pricier than fellow riverside competitor Le Meridien, a luxury hotel that has far more extensive facilities and a bit more polish.