Must-see hotels in Chiang Mai

  • Dhara Dhevi

    Chiang Mai

    At first sight it's hard to tell if Dhara Dhevi is a resort or an ancient temple complex. In fact the structures were built in the 2000s, yet they're jaw…

  • Tamarind Village

    Chiang Mai

    This refined, atmospheric Lanna-style property sprawls across the grounds of an old tamarind orchard in a prime location off Th Ratchadamnoen. Walkways…

  • Baan Orapin

    Chiang Mai

    Set within the historic Wat Ket district, Baan Orapin has been a family affair since the owner's relatives first occupied the stately teak house and…

  • Hotel des Artists Ping Silhouette

    Chiang Mai

    An elegant, minimalist boutique hotel channeling the Chinese and European roots of its neighbourhood with chinoiserie details throughout, including two…

  • Banthai Village

    Chiang Mai

    True to its name, Banthai does indeed resemble a country village transported to the modern city. The hotel sprawls over a series of wooden buildings with…

  • Sri Pat Guest House

    Chiang Mai

    A standout flashpacker guesthouse with all the trimmings: wi-fi, pool, wood-decked communal areas, scattered Buddha carvings and smart tiled rooms with…

  • Purple Monkey

    Chiang Mai

    This sister hostel to the wildly popular namesake in Pai opened just outside the eastern edge of Chiang Mai's old city in 2019. Rooms in the five-storey…

  • Na Nirand

    Chiang Mai

    A magnificent, giant, century-old rain tree anchors this romantic boutique property perched at the edge of Mae Ping. A restored teak house contains the…

  • Awana House

    Chiang Mai

    The pick of the guesthouses around the medieval city gate of Pratu Tha Phae has rooms for every budget – all kept spotless – and a mini swimming pool…

  • Anantara Resort & Spa

    Chiang Mai

    Where James Bond would stay if he came to Chiang Mai, the Anantara sprawls across the grounds of the handsome former British Consulate, and it offers a…

  • Raya Heritage

    Chiang Mai

    This new, 38-room beauty is still ironing out kinks with service and construction, but its charming setting on the bank of Mae Ping 20 minutes north of…

  • Chai Lai Orchid

    Chiang Mai

    If you've ever wanted to be woken up by an elephant at your window, here's your chance. This collection of comfortable jungle huts is planted in the…

  • Tri Yaan Na Ros

    Chiang Mai

    South of the main tourist bustle on Th Wualai, and tucked away behind a restaurant, this charming boutique hotel features elegant period decor – perhaps…

  • Mo Rooms

    Chiang Mai

    Mo Rooms is designer in the urban mould, all exposed concrete and sculptural timbers juxtaposed with natural materials. Each of the Chinese-zodiac-themed…

  • Hostel by Bed

    Chiang Mai

    Although you can find a room in Chiang Mai for the same price as these dorm beds, you get a lot of flashy facilities for your baht here, including a good…

  • Thanatee Boutique Hotel

    Chiang Mai

    In a quiet residential setting southeast of the old city, this four-storey oasis will please travellers looking for luxury at an affordable price. Rooms…

  • U Chang Mai

    Chiang Mai

    Tucked efficiently into the heart of the old city, this graceful boutique hotel stands out for its excellent service and stellar location. The apartment…

  • Buri Gallery

    Chiang Mai

    Seconds from Wat Phra Singh, Buri Gallery is a perfect base for exploring the old city. Rooms, set around a lovely pool that's ideal for families, are…

  • Diva Guesthouse

    Chiang Mai

    An energetic, vaguely bohemian spot on busy Th Ratchaphakhinai, Diva offers the full backpacker deal – dorm beds, budget boxrooms, adventure tours, net…

  • Villa Duang Champa

    Chiang Mai

    In a prime piece of real estate for the Sunday Walking Street market, the airy rooms here have polished-concrete floors, antique wooden French doors,…

  • 137 Pillars

    Chiang Mai

    This elegant resort is built around Baan Borneo, an old teak house once managed by Louis Leonowens, Rajah Brook and others as a timber trading centre…

  • Riverside House

    Chiang Mai

    Plain yet spotless and rather large rooms are spread across three blocks; you pay top baht for the central block, by the pool and away from the traffic…

  • Lab Poshtel

    Chiang Mai

    A laboratory-themed boutique hostel that takes this theme very seriously. The bright, stylish common space is somewhat creepily decorated with things like…

  • Kantary Hills

    Chiang Mai

    Immaculately turned-out Kantary Hills offers stylish apartment-style rooms with kitchens in a vast, self-contained complex set back a bit from the…

  • Vieng Mantra

    Chiang Mai

    A proper hotel tucked into winding Soi 1, Vieng Mantra creates a little oasis with its courtyard pool and landscaped gardens. Rooms range from simple…

  • BED Phrasingh Hotel

    Chiang Mai

    This is our favourite of the near-identical, towering black, sleekly modern hotels in this small chain now in four locations in Chiang Mai. Hidden behind…

  • Rachamankha

    Chiang Mai

    Entering Rachamankha is like walking into an ancient monastery or a medieval village. Interlinked courtyards lead past perfectly manicured gardens to…

  • Artel Nimman

    Chiang Mai

    We're suckers for hotels with slides, so the Artel delivers in spades. The modernist building is all round windows, polished concrete, geometric forms and…

  • Natlen Boutique Guesthouse

    Chiang Mai

    Quirky rooms are spread over several colourful houses at this low-key guesthouse just outside the city walls. Our favourite feature is the pale-blue pool…

  • Baan Huen Phen

    Chiang Mai

    Near the northern Thai restaurant of the same name, this upgraded Thai house has large, comfy rooms with immaculate bathrooms, and sit-on balconies out…

  • Hotel Noir

    Chiang Mai

    The prime Nimman location, tranquil and leafy courtyard and friendly service are the big selling points at this quaint little boutique hotel. Rooms are…

  • Baan Say-La

    Chiang Mai

    Set in a Nimmanhaemin shophouse, this boutique guesthouse has stylish rooms in a mixture of styles – modernist, heritage, flowery colonial – and the…

  • Good Morning Chiang Mai Tropical Inn

    Chiang Mai

    A relaxing pool, superior breakfasts and a tranquil location south of Wat Phra Singh all score points for this comfortable guesthouse in a vaguely Spanish…

  • Baan Hanibah

    Chiang Mai

    Protected by a garden of fragrant frangipani trees, Baan Hanibah is a relaxed boutique escape on a quiet lane in the heart of the old city. Behind an…

  • Yesterday Hotel

    Chiang Mai

    In the heart of the action on Th Nimmanhaemin, Yesterday offers a quick trip back to the near past. Communal spaces are decorated with vintage prints, old…

  • Banjai Garden

    Chiang Mai

    Set in an orderly wooden house, Banjai Garden has a calm air and a pleasant garden for hanging out. Take your pick from simple but clean and great-value…

  • 60 Blue House

    Chiang Mai

    This appealing, clean and colourful hostel has one eight-bed dorm and clean private rooms with shared bathroom. Owner Khun Tao is a mine of local…

  • Thapae Gate Lodge Guesthouse

    Chiang Mai

    An upgrade of a typical Thai house, with simple but good-value backpacker rooms, some quite large and/or with balconies. It was purchased and remodelled…

  • Sakulchai Place

    Chiang Mai

    Hidden away down a lane north of Th Huay Kaew, this self-contained tower offers rooms that positively gleam. Reached via calm, cool corridors, rooms come…

  • Le Meridien Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai

    This corporate hotel delivers a sleek modern package on the doorstep of the Night Bazaar. Cool, silent corridors open onto spacious, contemporary rooms…

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