Hotels

The Dusit Island Resort near Chiang Rai town.

When considering where to stay in Chiang Rai, you basically have to first decide how close you want to be to town. You can stay in the older tourist-class hotels in the center of town, or at newer resort-style accommodations at the edge of the city, or you can get completely away from it all at some isolated resorts in the Golden Triangle area.

The choice really comes down to how much comfort you want and how close you want to be to shopping and dining opportunities. The "Center of Town" hotels are just a short walk from the Night Bazaar and the restaurants lining Phaholyothin and Jedyod Roads. The "Edge of Town" hotels are nicer, but a short cab ride away from the center of town. The Golden Triangle hotels are about an hour away from the city, so dining out is usually not an option.