Neil Aronson These are some of the best walkable hotels we have stayed at and recommend for Chiang Mai city. We have something for everyone from Luxury to Hostels. All these walkable hotels are right in the heart of the city, making it easy to walk around to many attractions. And just because the prices is good doesn’t mean they are not amazing. Most would cost 4 times more in other countries.
There are hundreds of options, so we are curating the best ones we know from experience and family recommendations. Many of our favorites are boutique hotels, which offer all the amenities, but more of a friendly personal touch.
It can be very overwhelming trying to decide where to stay in Chiang Mai for both new visitors and those of us who have been many times. We have staying in and around Chiang Mai on over 30 visits. While it is nice to be secluded in the mountains, staying at one of the walkable hotels in the city has it’s advantages.
My wife and I have found many perfect hotels that allow you to not even need any transportation, just step out on to the street. And getting to attractions outside the city center from here is fairly simple through public transportation, private driver or tours. And if you are in to visiting temples, coffee shops, museums, and great restaurants, this is the place to be.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a cooking class to tours outside the city to places like Doi Inthanon National Park to see some incredible waterfalls.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Luxury- High End
One of the best parts about this city is you can stay at high end resorts for what you would pay for average hotels in many other cities. And if your goal is to stay at one of these, then be flexible because the off season rates can be really good, and more peaceful. All these beautiful places to stay are walkable hotels right in the city.
Tamarind Village Hotel In city center, your higher end resort retreat in the city. Beautiful Asian style grounds with great facilities, rooms and luxury spa. Tamarind Village feels like a secret refuge in the heart of historic Old Town Chiang Mai. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked without even noticing it, because it is hidden behind tall walls and security. We finally stayed there, as you can get good rates.
This charming boutique property takes its name from the magnificent tamarind trees that shelter the hotel in their shady embrace, one of which is 200 years old. Walk down the ancient bamboo-lined lane, and you are in the center of the Old Town with its ancient temples, quaint shopping streets, and lively weekend street markets.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai is an award-winning boutique hotel nestled in a lush residential area near Chiang Mai’s historic Wat Gate Temple and the Ping River. One of the top luxury hotels around. The hotel’s rich colonial heritage is rooted in the original teak homestead from the late 1800s, painstakingly preserved by architectural historians and conservationists.
The hotel offers 30 luxurious suites, each featuring high ceilings, spacious walk-in wardrobes, exquisite bathrooms with Victorian bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, and four-poster beds. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including personal butler service, pillow menus, Bluetooth sound systems, and an indulgent in-room trolley stocked with premium brand spirits and Nespresso coffee machine. The hotel also offers a serene spa, fitness center, and a stunning 25m swimming pool.
Shangri-La: This large hotel boasts the biggest pool in the city, along with 277 guest rooms (designed in a modern Northern Thai style) and four places to eat. If you are looking for more of a Las Vegas style luxury hotels, then this might be for you.
The Shangri-La’s range of facilities makes it ideal for parents travelling with kids — there’s cartoon bedding for younger travelers, playpens, coloring sets, everything you need to feed/bathe a newborn, mini-bathrobes and slippers, a splash zone, kids’ club, and supervised creative activities run daily. Then while the kids are being entertained, you can indulge in a traditional Asian healing treatment at CHI, The Spa.
Meliá Chiang Mai, opened in April 2022, and it is the third Thai property for the Spanish hotel group, with its other Thai luxury hotels located in Phuket and Koh Samui. Meliá Chiang Mai is situated near the Ping River on Charoenprathet Road, this 254-room hotel consists of a striking seven-story podium building connected to a 22-floor tower.
There are seven room and two suite categories ranging from 30 sqm to 113 sqm all offering modern, functional amenities. Dining options include Mediterranean cuisine with Thai twists and a rooftop Mai The Sky Bar. The hotel also features a YHI Spa, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Combining European chic with warm Thai hospitality right in the heart of Chiang Mai makes this an ideal choice for leisure travelers looking for a convenient base to explore the city.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort: Step off a busy Chiang Mai road into the serene world of one of the walkable hotels as an urban retreat, on the banks of the Ping river. The hotel is located on historic Charoen Prathet Road, not far from the Governor’s Residence.
And for nightlife you are close to some of more trendy bars and restaurants of the riverside area. Also walk to Wat Ket and the Night Bazaar. This contemporary-style property with minimalist touches is arranged around the former British consulate and offers stylish, retro-fitted rooms and great facilities.
Chala Number 6 is a 5 star Boutique resort in the heart of the Old City. If you want to stay in one of the top luxury hotels in the city and be able to walk to all the sights, then this might be for you. It is located by Wat Chedi Luang, one of the top temples to see. Walk to museums and the Cultural Center, dozens of other temples, and the Sunday Walking Street.
Beside the spectacular grounds and rooms, on site you can indulge in the Waya Spa, a salon, gym, and of course the stylish pool.
Mid-Range Affordable And Recommended
One great advantage of Chiang Mai is that you can stay at luxury hotels in the mid-range price budget. Especially outside of holiday weeks. Many of these walkable hotels are around 1,500 baht for a resort like property.
- Eurena Boutique Hotel (Kid Friendly) The entire property was recently remodeled. It is one of the better values, in fact it is strangely inexpensive for what it is. It sits between Soi 6 and Soi 7 in the old city, near great restaurants, coffee shop and bars.
- Somwang Boutique House (Kid Friendly) Small with nice outdoors and pool. Excellent walking location. Our standard room was very big. Staff is friendly. Only 2 parking spots since most people do not have cars.
- MD Boutique (Kid Friendly) Located on Ratvithi Rd, which is central to a lot of things. Close to Zoe In Yellow if you like to party. And great coffee shops all around. Very nice rooms, parking, and the staff was so friendly when we were recently there.
- Bodhi Serene (Kid Friendly) Our top pick. Incredible value for how nice it is. Great location to walk and friendly staff. The pool is beautiful, as are the grounds. The rooms are super nice. We stayed in a standard room which was a little small. However we also have stayed in a 2 bedroom suite, for less than $100, and it was gigantic with full kitchen, dining room, and two hot tubs. Great for two couples or family. Also walk to excellent restaurants.
- Kodchasri Thani B&B is next to Bodhi Serene, on a great street and next to a few of the best restaurants in town. It looks small from the street, but is a larger property. It is one of higher end of the cheap affordable hotels.
- Por Thapae Gate (Kid Friendly) One of my top 3 favorites for location, outdoor spaces and super friendly staff. The breakfast is great, rooms are smaller but very nice. Right on the Sunday Walking Street.
- Amora Tha Phae Gate High rise resort hotel in great location with super rates. All rooms recently upgraded. This was my first hotel stay ever back in 2010. Since then they have really upgraded with a lot of remodeling to the room and exterior. This is a high rise hotel, which is not my favorite, but the location is great and right by Tha Phae Gate.
- DusitD2 Chiang Mai is conveniently located just off the famous Chang Klan Road in downtown Chiang Mai. It is more expensive than many on this list. It is located in the city’s famous night bazaar, with restaurants and hot spots within a stone’s throw. It is also close to Chinatown and the Warorot Market. The style is more modern, so it does not have the old Thailand feel or style.
- Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa (Kid Friendly) features spacious rooms set in landscaped grounds. The resort offers beautiful Thai-style interiors and attentive service. Providing 3 dining options, it features an outdoor pool, fitness facilities, open-aired lobby and a spa. Each room opens up to different sceneries such as the rice field, the old rice barn, the Thai house, the terrace under the old longan tree or the mountain range in the distance.
The Panna Spa has couples treatment rooms. The resort’s spa offers deep-tissue massages, sports massages, and Thai massages. Types of treatments available include aromatherapy, body scrubs, body wraps, and detox wraps. Other on-site facilities include a steam room.
Villa Thapae is another boutique hotel in the center of Old Town. This small and personal spot is is less than a 3-4 minute walk from Sunday Walking Street and Tha Phae Gate. Beside the fact we like it, other guests online give it a 9+ rating.
Nimmanhaemin Area Hotels
- Buri Suri– In Nimman, is in a perfect location to walk to everything in that area of town. Very nice, and great pricing for they quality you get. The style is European Boutique, with well designed rooms and a great pool and outdoor space.
- Victoria Nimman Hotel is across the street to Buri Suri. Similar to Buri Suri, and has a very popular bar out front on the street. One of the walkable hotels to One Nimman Mall and amazing restaurants all around.
- The Empire Nimman has modern rooms with private balconies, fitness center, rooftop terrace. Large rooms with views, but no pool. Under-building parking. You can of course walk to everything, shopping, bars and restaurants.
- Hotel Noir is a little more budget friendly for this area. It offers a fantastic location, where you can walk to Nimman Road and MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center as well as One Nimman Shopping. Along with Wi-Fi they have free bike rentals, and a terrace.
Art Mai Gallery Nimman is an Art Deco style hotel in trendy Nimman. This 80+ room property features accommodations in a boutique hotel well-decorated with art works from the renowned local Thai artists. You have an outdoor pool with a view, a fitness center and massage services. And their on-site tour desk and helpful staff at the 24-hour front desk.
U Nimman is a trendy hotel in the Nimmanhaemin area, close to cafes and One Nimman shopping. It offers a pool with views of Doi Suthep mountain, as well as rooms with a sun terrace and sauna. Guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.
Budget & Hotels
Duangtawan Hotel is near the famous Night Bazaar and on the popular Loy Kroh Road. Offers outdoor pool, three restaurants, four bars, spa, and fitness center. It is sort of in between mid-range and budget. In off season you can book for a very good rate.
Smile Robotist Hostel This would be your budget dorm style backpackers spot with shared bathroom. Great location to walk everywhere.
Sri-Pak Guesthouse is in my favorite area, which is the northeast corner of the old city on Moon Muang Soi 7 by Eurana Hotel. Walk to alleys of great restaurants, coffee shops and temples.
The Eight Ratvithi House is a family owned guesthouse on a great alley (Ratvithi Rd Lane 1) that has access to everything by foot. There is also a fantastic coffee house next door called Mountain Coffee. During Covid they remodeled and expanded.
Kittawan Home & Gallery guest house lies in quieter area east of the Ping River. 1.8 km from Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and 3.2 km from Tha Phae Gate. It is situated 4.3 km from Chiang Mai Bus Station and features luggage storage space. Free private parking is available and the guest house also provides car hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. All units feature air conditioning and a satellite flat-screen TV.
Yindee Stylish Guesthouse is practically right across from The Eight mentioned above. This guesthouse is down a small alley also on Ratvithi Rd Lane 1. Hidden in a quiet alley with friendly staff. The rooms a fairly basic, and has several nice outdoor spaces to hang out.
Changpuak Budget hotel north of the walled city by a few blocks with a nice pool.
Hostel Lullaby Located in a perfect location in the city center. Walk to everything. Free bikes and classes including cooking and yoga. There are lots of communal spaces to hang out, both indoors and out as well. It’s right in the middle of the Old City so it’s super easy to get around from here.
Mad Monkey Chiang Mai is super lively, with lots of things happening every night, from bar crawls to drinking games. Making this a great spring break location. It is more expensive than other hostels. You get a free drink on arrival, which really sets the tone for the hostel. It’s super easy to meet people here. There’s a saltwater pool as well as a bar and restaurant on site as well as lots of common spaces, including a gym and yoga space.
ECO Resort is one of the cheap affordable hotels east of the Ping river over in the trendy riverside area. This area is popular with the younger crowd, and more expensive restaurants along the river like The Good View. Great area for live music.
Hug Earth Hotels
These hotels are committed to sustainable practices that help reduce the impacts of climate change. Each certified hotel meets 12 green operation standards, including energy conservation, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting low-carbon tourism activities.
I hope this helps you plan your visit to Chiang Mai. Remember, to get Travel Insurance for your trip as well.
For more on hotels and one of the best areas outside the city for nature, things to do like zipline and waterfalls, read our post on Mae Rim. Just 30 minutes north of the city center, there are things to do for everyone, and some amazing hotels.
