Chiang Mai Hotels

Kaomai Lanna Resort

 
Chiang Mai is full of hotels, as well as a very large number of guest houses. Most hotels used to be tourist class, clean and comfortable but not necessarily anything special. That has changed in recent years with the opening of several new five star properties, with apparently more on the way. Hotels are concentrated in two areas, one along the river and the other along the road leading to Suthep mountain.

Our favorite area to stay is around the Night Bazaar. As there are several hotels near the bazaar, it's easy to find one in your price range and there are a number of tourist services in the district. I've stayed at a lot of hotels in Chiang Mai over the years. See all of my Chiang Mai hotel reviews.

We've listed a few selected hotels below. For more hotels, see our comprehensive list of Chiang Mai hotels, which you can also view price, class or location.
 

Last Minute Chiang Mai Reservations

If you're planning a trip at the last minute and need to make reservations for a stay in the next 20 days, then check out our selection of last minute Chiang Mai hotels available from RatesToGo.com.

Location, Location, Location - Chiang Mai Hotels Near the Night Bazaar

The pool at the Chedi, with the spa and guest rooms behind.

 
As mentioned above, we prefer a hotel near the city's famous night bazaar. Even if you're not very interested in shopping, the area is full of restaurants and other entertainment venues, making it easy to make several pleasant evenings without having to navigate yourself to other parts of the city. Taxis tend to gather around the bazaar, so even if you do want to go someplace else, it's easy to find transportation.

There are hotels around the night bazaar in all price ranges. We've listed a few options below. At the top end the D2 is right in the middle of things, with it's urban chic extreme make-over of the old Chiang Inn. Joining the D2 is the Chedi, a posh new hotel on the river-side built around the old 1912 home of the British Counsel.

Cheaper options include the Pornping Tower, a very good tourist class hotel, and the Suriwongse Hotel right in the middle of the night market.
 

Stars	Hotel Name	Location	Rate
	D2 Hotel Chiang Mai	Night Bazaar	From: $ 184
	The D2hotel chiang mai is within walking distance of the buzzing Night Bazaar, five kilometres from the train station and just seven kilometres from the bus station and Chiang Mai International Airport. Numerous restaurants and bars are only a short stroll, and the hotel also provides easy access to the Tapae Gateway, home of the ancient temples (Italics). The striking design of the D2hotel chiang mai incorporates natural materials and textures in a high-tech functional living environment where the emphasis is on spaciousness and serenity. Contemporary patterns complement the minimalist simplicity of the hotel rooms, while bold design strokes of artwork energize the senses and root life in the modern world. Each room in the D2hotel chiang mai features a 25-inch flat-screen colour television, safe-deposit box, dual phone line with voicemail, minibar and high-speed Internet access that add to guests' ease and comfort when staying here. It's not just downtown Chiang Mai that is known for its restaurants and bars, as D2hotel itself features a varied selection of dining and drinking options. Guests will find Oriental and Western cuisine served in Moxie, the 100-seat restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. The Mix bar in the Lobby offers cocktails and light refreshments until 1:00 am. The ballroom is located on the basement level and is the perfect venue for small seminars, executive meetings and medium-sized conferences being held in this northern capital, as well as parties and informal gatherings. State-of-the-art meeting equipment is available from the hotel if required. The D2hotel chiang mai also offers guests various relaxing treatments in the Devarana Spa, as well as the DFiT health club and an outdoor swimming pool. Check rates for the D2 Hotel Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the D2 Hotel Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the D2 Hotel Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Pornping Tower Hotel	Riverside	From: $ 33
	Conveniently located in the heart of Chiang Mai, a short walk from the Mae Ping River and the city`s famous Night Bazaar, Pornping Tower features a wide choice of restaurants, serving local, Asian and Western cuisine, plus a choice of bars and night spots. Efficient and experienced management is complemented by the gracious service and hospitality for which northern Thailand is so famous. Pornping Tower, at the heart of the ancient Kingdom of Lanna Thai, offers a truly memorable stay in the charming city of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Review of Pornping Tower Hotel Check rates for the Pornping Tower Hotel at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Pornping Tower Hotel at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Pornping Tower Hotel at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai	Night Bazaar	From: $ 31
	Here visitors can enjoy the near year-round cool Northern Thailand weather where days are filled with bright sunshine with clear blue skies and the nights are tropically balmy with a cool, crisp breeze that allows outdoor dining all year round. The hotel is conveniently located right in the urban area of downtown Chiang Mai near the famous Night Bazaar, but also within easy reach to the other key attractions of Chiang Mai.There are plenty of temptations for the visitors to this fabled Northern tourist destination: exotic day trips trekking in the lush mountain terrain, visits to nearby elephant camps or to the colorful orchid and butterfly farms, or to the many temples with their bright glistening ceramic tiled roofs and golden pagodas, or to shopping in the numerous handicraft centers or the famous Chiang Mai night bazaar where all sorts of local wares, clothing and other bargains can be found.Located at the city center of downtown Chiang Mai, Suriwongse Hotel is conveniently accessible by all means of transport. At Suriwongse Hotel, you will be impressed with an enthusiastic, hearty and warm welcome as well as the hospitality of the friendly hotel staff. Cozy rooms, relaxing lobby bar and spacious restaurant are provided along with the best of heart-warming service.From the hotel windows, the fascinating panoramic view of Doi Suthep which is a natural landmark of Chiang Mai is widely visible. Our spacious yet cozy restaurants offer various choices of foods and drinks ranging from northern Thai food to Chinese and European menu. After a long day of sight seeing or shopping, you can enjoy relaxing in the crystal clear swimming pool or traditional Thai massage.The night-life around the popular night bazaar where a variety of goods and services are available at night-time is even more interesting and exciting for shoppers and tourists. The beer garden at Le Bistrot Terrace Caf� - where a variety of drinks, coffee and snacks served - is an ideal rendezvous for the people who want to enjoy meeting friends in the evening.Conference and banqueting facilities are available for every occasion, from large wedding receptions to private cocktail parties or business meetings and seminars. Check rates for the Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	The Chedi Chiang Mai	Riverside	From: $ 306
	The Chedi Chiang Mai Hotel is on the banks of the Mae Ping River. The night bazaar is just a few minutes stroll away. The Chedi Chiang Mai Hotel is designed in an impressive, modern, contemporary Thai style. The restaurant is in a colonial, wooden building, was formerly the British Consulate. For relaxation, apart from the pool the spa offers a host of treatments and massages. Check rates for the The Chedi Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the The Chedi Chiang Mai at Reservations 24.

Thai Style -- Out of the Ordinary Chiang Mai Hotels

Chiang Mai was something of a pioneer in creating hotels that displayed traditional design ideals, while still incorporating all the modern conveniences that international travelers expect. Any of the following will definitely make your stay unique.
 

Stars	Hotel Name	Location	Rate
	Manathai Village Chiang Mai	Night Bazaar	From: $ 78
	Manathai Village is only a 10 minutes drive from Chiang Mai International Airport. Manathai will provide all international and local travellers who visit the colourful ancient city of Chiang Mai with a uniquely Lanna experience. We look forward to welcoming you to our charming Village, presented by "Manathai Hotels & Resorts". Review of Manathai Village Chiang Mai Check rates for the Manathai Village Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Manathai Village Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Manathai Village Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai	Old City	From: $ 141
	The Rachmankha is much more than just a hotel. It is an experience. For the owner, who are two of Thailand's most famous designers and architects, it is a creation of love and a treasury of Lanna art and Chinese antiquities, which can be found in every guest room and throughout the hotel. The combination of Lanna art and interior design, and the temple style architecture has created a haven of peace – the kind that penetrates you and touches you heart. This is an ideal hotel for people in need of rest and relaxation. The design of the hotel is taken from the viharn (chapel) of one of Thailand's most beautiful of temples, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Lampang province, which is why the hotel look and feels like a temple. The hotel is planned according to ancient principles of Chinese architecture because the architecture and interior designer want the hotel to reflect the Chinese roots of Thai architecture. The interior design is based on northern Thai Lanna culture, which is a of Chinese, Dai, Laotian, Lua, and Burmese culture. This accounts for why the hotel is full of Chinese antiques and exemplifies the art and architectural features of all of these cultures. Altogether, the hotel is a cultural masterpiece. One of the uppermost aims of creating the Rachamankha was to enable tourists to experience – feel and touch – genuine Lanna culture, even though it will take many years to recoup the enormous cost of construction and decoration. No expense has been spared to create this experience, and indeed, many items of Lanna furniture and many of the decorative pieces of Lanna culture were bought in China, Burma and Lao Check rates for the Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai	Old City	From: $ 136
	The Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai is a peaceful and picturesque establishment located in the center of Chiangmai`s old town. With 40 spacious rooms fitted with all of the amenities and offers a level of comfort you would expect from a hotel of this class. Divided into three private courtyards, the Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai creates a rustic ancient village feel and maintains the meticulous standards required by travel and tour operators worldwide. For those travelers who look forward to a combination of class and comfort, the Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai is simply the perfect choice with its variety of facilities and high level of personalized service. Check rates for the Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Tamarind Village Hotel Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel	Silver Village	From: $ 67
	Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House was opened in January 2004 and provides 8 tastefully decorated and comfortable rooms. The hotel is decorated with genuine Lan Na style pieces of art and decorative items. It`s located in Wualai, the old handicraft neighborhood of Chiang Mai famous for its silverware and lacquerware cottage industries. The night market and Tapae gate can be reached by taxi or bicycle within about 5 minutes. The hotel features a pool as well as a small restaurant which serves Thai and Western food. All rooms are decorated in fine wood, silk and traditional northern Thai handicrafts. They have satellite TV and telephone, air-conditioning, and a modern bathroom with a large terracotta bathtub. Review of Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel Check rates for the Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.

Chiang Mai Hotels to Pamper Yourself

It's not a temple, it's the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi

 
Sometimes you just have to pull out all the stops and stay in a place where you can totally enjoy yourself. It wasn't long ago that there were very few options for places to stay that were a cut above tourist class, but now there are more and more hotels in the four and five star class available.

The Four Seasons Resort was among the first of the new high end resorts. It's located about 20 minutes outside of Chiang Mai, in a valley of rice fields backed by forested mountains. In 2004 it was joined by the Mandarin Oriental, which is slightly closer to town. There's no easy way to describe the Mandarin Oriental. It's a fantasy design incorporating the look of temples and palaces from several cultures and periods of Northern Thailand. Lastly, there's the only truly top-end hotel in the city proper, the Chedi Chiang Mai. The Chedi built a new hotel with their trademark spa not far from the night bazaar. The hotel is built around the 1912 residence of the British Counsel, now restored for use as the hotel's restaurant.
 

Stars	Hotel Name	Location	Rate
	Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai	Airport	From: $ 449
	Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is a world of its own. Located in the beautiful Mae Rim Valley, The Regent Resort pays tribute to Chiang Mai artistic and cultural heritage. Clusters of Lanna-style pavilions, each a roomy 70 square meters (750 square feet) and decorated with rich Thai materials and fabrics, overlook gardens, terraced rice paddies and mountain views. Eleven palatial Residence Suites housed in three or four storey villas offer master, guest and children bedrooms with private plunge pools or rooftop penthouse and come complete with your own Mae Baan (live-in house keeper.) Close to orchid and butterfly farms, hill tribe villages, elephant trekking, an interesting and eclectic collection of shops and excellent golf courses, our guests will enjoy many new experiences, including world-class spa facilities. Formerly known as Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa. Check rates for the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel	Riverside	From: $ 448
	Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is spread over 60 acres of peaceful, natural landscapes, incorporating serene paddy fields and exotic plantations. We offer a self contained world of beauty, wellness and a cultural museum dedicated to the Lanna kingdom.    Whilst the Dheva Spa is our spiritual soul, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is also the perfect retreat to experience the rich heritage of Northern Thailand. Ban Sam Lang, our cultural centre is dedicated to maintaining the many fading traditions offering a glimpse of life in the past; we offer our Oriental Culinary Academy and our Lanna Kids Club that will expand the imagination of all young explorers. And when you stay with us, whether you choose our suites, villas or Residences you will find architectural tributes to the ancient kingdom of Lanna.   Check rates for the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel at Reservations 24. Compare rates for the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel at all on-line sites using HotelsCombined.
	The Chedi Chiang Mai	Riverside	From: $ 306
	The Chedi Chiang Mai Hotel is on the banks of the Mae Ping River. The night bazaar is just a few minutes stroll away. The Chedi Chiang Mai Hotel is designed in an impressive, modern, contemporary Thai style. The restaurant is in a colonial, wooden building, was formerly the British Consulate. For relaxation, apart from the pool the spa offers a host of treatments and massages. Check rates for the The Chedi Chiang Mai at AsiaTiv.com. Check rates for the The Chedi Chiang Mai at Reservations 24.

Special Hotel Features

There are places you won't find on the major hotel reservation sites. These include small guest houses within Chiang Mai as well as unique resorts in the countryside. Below are some of the places we've come across in our travels that we think you might want to know about.

Baan Orapin

West of the Ping River, near Wat Gate, is a beautiful bed and breakfast residence built around a 90 year old teak house.
[Update November 2005:] Recent guests report that Baan Orapin just gets better. They've paved the courtyard and are even planning to add a pool. Everyone we've heard from has nothing but raves for the place.

Kaomai Lanna Resort

Those looking for a truly unique experience will want to consider Kaomai Lanna Resort, which was built within old tobacco curing barns.

Seven Suns Guest House

Within the walls of the old city, near some of the city's largest old temples, is a guest house with a bit of a difference. Seven Suns is operated as a non-profit business to help fund vocational development and AIDS education among the disadvantaged of northern Thailand and Burma.