Where to stay in Chiang Mai – The best Chiang Mai hotels
Welcome to our guide on where to stay in Chiang Mai! After visiting this charming Northern Thailand city numerous times and staying in accommodation options for all budgets, we’ve assembled a handy guide to help you find the perfect place to stay. Do you like the sound of a traditional, boutique hotel with bamboo furnishings and authentic Thai food? Maybe you’d prefer a large resort with lots of facilities?
In this guide, we compare some of the best Chiang Mai hotels for every budget. Each hotel is rated 4.5+ on Tripadvisor and is well-located for exploring. Without further delay, here’s some inspiration for where to stay in Chiang Mai.
The best Chiang Mai hotels
The Inside House (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
If you want to stay in the most luxurious hotel in Chiang Mai, look no further than The Inside House. This colonial-style boutique hotel is right in the centre of town near the main old town attractions. It’s quaint, intimate and has an amazing selection of room options. Many of its suites have their own uniquely designed plunge pool, and not just any plunge pool. The most premium of The Inside House’s suites have large pools where you can swim out straight from your room; you can even see the inside of the pool from your bed.
The hotel features a bright white design throughout, with neatly manicured gardens and ornate French furnishings. It feels grand and decedent, but on a smaller ‘boutique’ scale. We recommend Inside House for special occasions such as a honeymoon.
Shangri-La Chiang Mai (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Another luxury Chiang Mai hotel with a grand reputation is Shangri-La. The hotel brand is known worldwide for its luxury appeal, featuring properties with bold golden furnishings and lots of dining options. Chiang Mai’s Shangri-La is no different. In fact, a stay here will cost you significantly less than Shangri-La’s in other global cities.
Located just south of Chiang Mai’s night market, the hotel is close enough to be within walking distance of main attractions. However, it’s also secluded enough to feel like a paradise away from the city. It’s a large hotel complex with a huge pool area, multiple dining options, tennis courts and other leisure facilities. It boasts more amenities than most of the other hotels in Chiang Mai. Therefore, it suits those that want to spend lots of time in the resort.
Le Meridien Chiang Mai (Luxury)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Instantly recognisable for its tall tower building that dominates the skyline in the east, Le Meridien is one of the most popular places to stay in Chiang Mai. It’s a 5-star hotel with panoramic views of the city, featuring classic Asian décor, recently renovated rooms and lots of amenities. Our favourite thing about Le Meridien is its rooftop pool and relaxation area. You really can’t beat the views from its infinity edge!
Le Meridien is a hotel that suits both business and leisure travellers, regularly hosting events for weddings, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and other occasions. It has a ‘Hilton / Marriot’ appeal, suiting those that like large tower hotels over smaller boutique accommodation.
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort (Moderately-priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Nestled on the banks of the Ping River, Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort is a charming place to stay, away from the hustle and bustle. It’s rated 5-star but with prices that are very affordable. The gardens of the resort are beautiful, with traditional Thai buildings that form together to create a village-style resort. As suggested by its name, the hotel is wonderfully intimate; the perfect setting for couples on a romantic getaway.
In addition to Na Nirand’s well maintained rooms, grounds and common areas, you’ll find a large swimming pool. It’s the perfect spot for some relaxation after hours of sightseeing in Chiang Mai. We recommend this hotel for those that want a quiet, luxury retreat that’s not too far away from the city. You’re not in the centre of the action, but are only a short walk away.
El Barrio Lanna Hotel (Moderately-priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
El Barrio Lanna is one of the best Chiang Mai hotels for those that want a modern and trendy place to stay, but with a touch of Thai tradition. Rooms are moody and spacious, featuring wooden furnishings and large bathtubs. You then have an outdoor pool with sun loungers and some nice outdoor seating areas. El Barrio Lanna is small and inviting, never feeling crowded. It’s exactly how a boutique hotel should be.
One of the most important reasons to choose this hotel is its central location. It couldn’t be better located for sightseeing! Step outside of the hotel and you’ll be able to explore the many Chiang Mai markets, shops, restaurants and temples, all in a few minutes’ walk. As you’ll soon find out, you’ll do a lot of walking during your visit. Therefore, having a central hotel on hand will be a life saver, especially considering you also have a pool to relax in.
Rimping Village (Moderately-priced)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Located on the other side of the Ping River to Chiang Mai city, Rimping Village is hidden in a quiet, scenic neighbourhood. Unlike many of the other more centrally located hotels on our list, the Rimping Village area feels very green, quiet and peaceful. You’ll feel like one of the Chiang Mai locals in this hotel. It’s a complete contrast to the busy traffic of the city centre.
As you’d expect for such a location, the hotel is a tranquil place to relax. It has a large outdoor pool area that never feels crowded. Its wooden, traditional décor perfectly suits those that want an authentic Thai hotel, yet it still has the modern amenities and luxuries of any trendy boutique hotel. We personally loved the buffet breakfast selection and intimate atmosphere of Rimping Village. You can borrow a bike at reception for when you want to explore. Alternatively, cross the river bridge on foot and you’ll reach Chiang Mai Night Market in only 10-minutes.
Bed Chiang Mai Gate (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
In our opinion, Bed Chiang Mai is one of the best budget-friendly hotels we’ve ever stayed in. They do budget accommodation better than anywhere else on earth (and we’ve been to a lot of places!). Small and boutique in design but with lots of added amenities, Bed Chiang Mai Gate suits those that want a comfortable place as a sightseeing base. Rooms are small, but they’re modern and well equipped.
Other major draws to Bed Chiang Mai are its excellent home-cooked breakfasts, the small but well-appointed pool area and the many complimentary snacks and drinks you get whilst staying here. Tea, coffee, water, fruit and other snacks are available 24/7 from the reception-area fridges. Bed Chiang Mai Gate is one of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai for both value and location.
Bed Nimman Hotel (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Just like the Bed brand hotel we featured above, Bed Nimman Hotel is an equally as impressive budget hotel, but in the trendy Nimman neighbourhood. This area of Chiang Mai is a great place to stay for those that want a trendy, hip and modern base for exploring. It’s popular with both digital nomads and expats and has a great nightlife and shopping scene. You’re only a 20-minute walk from Chiang Mai Old Town too.
Bed Nimman has all of the same facilities of Bed Chiang Mai Gate hotel, including complimentary drinks and snacks, modern rooms, a great breakfast and some nice relaxation and working areas. A major highlight to this hotel is its swimming pool and loungers. It’s very rare to find a pool of this calibre in a hotel as affordable as Bed Nimman.
Shewe Wana Boutique Hotel (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
The further you travel away from the centre of Chiang Mai, the cheaper hotels are. You get a lot more for your money. If you’re a budget traveller but want to experience a little bit of luxury during your stay, consider Shewe Wana Boutique Hotel. This 4-star hotel has very affordable nightly rates, offering a swimming pool, restaurant, nicely decorated rooms and all of the usual hotel facilities you’d expect. Its wooden style is traditional, romantic and full of character.
A walk to Chiang Mai Night Market from this hotel will take 19-minutes, with the centre of town taking around 30-minutes. Those walking steps can soon add up; admittedly the hotel isn’t the most centrally located. However, it’s very cheap and easy to order a taxi in Chiang Mai. Being a little further out shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The cost-to-quality of the hotel makes it worth the extra travel time!
The Astra Condo Serviced Apartment (Budget-friendly)
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
If you prefer an apartment over a hotel for your stay in Chiang Mai, be sure to check out The Astra Condo. A serviced apartment building with both rentals and owned apartments, Astra offers the amenities of a hotel but with more living space. Apartments are large, with 1 and 2-bedroom options. You also have a kitchen area to cook some of your own meals.
Other amenities at The Astra Condo include a rooftop infinity pool, a well-equipped gym, steam room and a tour booking office. It’s located a short walk from Chiang Mai Night Market to the east of the city. We recommend this apartment complex for longer stays and for those on a budget.
Our top tips for booking a Chiang Mai hotel
- Location is very important in Chiang Mai. Stay in a hotel within the four walls of the old town to be within walking distance of all attractions. This area is great for first timers. The outer areas of Chiang Mai are great for longer stays and larger ‘resort style’ hotels and apartments. Aim to stay in a hotel that’s within walking distance of one of the entrance gates to the old town.
- Check if breakfast is included in your hotel rate. Some hotels include complimentary breakfast. In others, you have to pay.
- Getting around in Chiang Mai is easy with Taxis, Tuk Tuks and ride share apps. Don’t worry if your hotel looks a little further out on a map. We personally used the apps ‘Bolt’ and ‘Grab’ for quick and affordable taxi rides.
- Consider how much time you’ll spend in your hotel and how much exploring you’ll be doing. If you plan on being out most of the time, you can save money by getting a less fancy hotel. Equally, if you want to spend a lot of time in your hotel, consider upgrading to a more luxurious room.
- If visiting Chiang Mai during a popular period, such as New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year or one of the lantern festivals, book your hotel as soon as possible. Hotels prices soar during popular times and rooms can sell out.
- Some hotels offer a paid or complimentary transfer from the airport. See if this is available before arranging your own transfers.
- Are you planning a longer trip to Chiang Mai? Consider renting an apartment for an extended stay. You’ll have more living space than a hotel room. Apartments in Chiang Mai can be very good, with private gyms, pools and other amenities.
We hope we inspired you with hotel options and you now know exactly where to stay in Chiang Mai. As long as you choose a hotel with good reviews that’s near or within the four walls of the old town, you’ll have a great time exploring everything the city has to offer. Chiang Mai has some excellent accommodation options for all budgets, but be sure to shop around for the best prices. Read our hotel booking guide to learn how to find the best rates.
If you have any questions about any of the Chiang Mai hotels on our list, or visiting Chiang Mai in general, be sure to post a comment below. 😊
By Ricky
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.
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