Neil Aronson (Updated Sept 2025) These are the best hotels Chiang Mai we have experienced in the past 15 years. Choosing one of the best hotels Chiang Mai can be very overwhelming, since it is a spread out city and there are a lot of great options. So lets get right into it. No need to talk about anything else, we have other articles for that.
There are hundreds of good options, so we are curating the best hotels 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.
Having spent over 250 nights in the best hotels Chiang Mai over the past 15 years i know there is really only two things you need to figure out. One is your personality and the other is of course your budget. The good thing is your budget goes a lot further in Chiang Mai than most anywhere, especially in the ‘off seaon’ times.
So you do you want to be in the city center to walk to restuarants, cafes, bars, temples, etc. Or do you prefer more peace in the surrounding mountains of a secluded neighborhood. And if you are traveling with kids that has an impact. But don’t worry, there are a lot of family friendly hotels which we will point out.
My wife and I have found that many of the best hotels Chiang Mai allow you to not even need any transportation, just step out on to the street. Staying in the city center means getting to attractions outside the city center 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.
We will devide up our list of the Best Hotels Chiang Mai by area and budget. Starting in the city, and then out to Mae Rim one of my favorite areas. South of the city in the Hong Dong area going up in the mountains are beautiful mountain resorts along the Samoeng Loop.
Use Interactive Map For More Hotels from Booking.com and More.
Walkable City Center Hotels
A great thing about this city is you can stay at high end resorts for what you would pay for average hotels in many other cities. All these best hotels Chiang Mai are walkable hotels right in the city. The Old City and surrounding neighborhoods are good for those that want to easily explore temples and museums, and walk to cafes and nightlife. This is the most popular area of course.
Luxury City Center
Tamarind Village Hotel (Old City) 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.
Puripunn Hideaway Boutique (Wat Ket) is amazing, just east of the Ping River. We recently stayed here in January 2025. It is on a quiet alley, near a main road, so a quick Tuk Tuk will get you to the city center. You can easily walk as well, and its a quick walk to the riverside restaurants like The Good View.
The property is high end, and very beautiful. And the staff is 100%, and very attentive. Also the breakfast was amazing, and made to order. This is a more peaceful quiet property, with not much for kids.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai (Wat Ket) 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 best hotels Chiang Mai for many years. 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 (Night Market- Family Friendly) 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 (Riverside- Family Friendly) 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 (Riverside-Chang Khlan) 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 (Old City) is a 5 star Boutique resort in the heart of the Old City and considered one of the best hotels Chiang Mai 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.
Marriott Chiang Mai (Riverside-Family Friendly) is a modern leisure and conference destination which sits in the pulsing heart of Chiang Mai’s bustling Night Bazaar District, a short walk from the Old City. One of the few high-rise hotels, it sits by Loy Kroh Road, your destination for late night nightlife if that is what your looking for.
The infinity edge swimming pool boasts one of the finest views of the city. The pool area has a resort vibe, featuring cozy corners to read a book, shallow sunbed ledges for tanning, shady day sofas to lounge on and a bar and restaurant.
A great place to families with suite options, a kids pool and kids play room, gym, and work rooms.
Mid-Range City Center
Even better, the best hotels Chiang Mai are a great bargain. Because of the reletively low costs, 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.
De Lanna Boutique Hotel has become one of my favorite hotels in the Old City. We have stayed here several times in the past year. They price is usually great for the quality. And the location is just next to some of the best temples, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Pantao.
The staff is excellent and helpful, and there is good parking which we like. The pool and common areas are beautiful and best of all the rooms are great. I recommend a deluxe room. There is a nice gym if you want that, and breakfast, and a separate restaurant/bar.
Eurena Boutique Hotel (Kid Friendly-Old City) The entire property was recently remodeled. I think it is one of the best hotels Chiang Mai for its value and location. We have stayed here 6 separate times and loved it each time. 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-Old City) 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. A decent breakfast was included and free laundry machines to use was great.
MD Boutique (Kid Friendly-Old City) Located on Ratvithi Rd, which is central to a lot of things. For mid-range this would be on the top of my best hotels Chiang Mai list. 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-Old City) would be one of the best hotels Chiang Mai we have stayed at in the Old City. 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. Could be concidered luxury, but the price puts it in mid-range.
We have stayed in a standard room which was a little small. However we also have stayed in a 2 bedroom suite, for about $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 nearby. There is also a kids pool.
Kodchasri Thani B&B (Old City) 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 affordable best hotels Chiang Mai.
Like others on the best hotels Chiang Mai list, there are many important temples and historic sites near the hotel. Take a 5-10 minutes walk to Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan On, the Lanna Architectural Museum and the Three Kings Monument.
Por Thapae Gate (Kid Friendly-Old City) is one of my top 3 favorites for location, outdoor spaces and super friendly staff. Top of the best hotels Chiang Mai list. The breakfast is great, rooms are smaller but very nice, clean and modern.
Right on the Sunday Walking Street and main road through the Old City, the walkability score is 100. Walk to all the best temples, coffee shops, restaurants, and museums. The only issue is it can be fully booked a lot of the time, so hard to get last minute.
Amora Tapae Hotel 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. You get great views from all rooms.
DusitD2 Chiang Mai (Night Market) 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-Wat ket)) 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 (Nimman) is in a perfect location to walk to everything in that area of town and my favorite of the best hotels Chiang Mai for this 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 (Nimman) 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.
Hotel Yayee offers elegant accommodations and an adults-only bed and breakfast experience with a terrace, bar, and free WiFi. Guests enjoy mountain and city views, ensuring a relaxing stay.
We recently stayed here for the first time and it was great. The rooftop bar was the highlight. The rooms are small but nice with a balcony. And the staff was great. In a quiet area, but just a few blocks walk to the action.
Yayee Rooftop Bar is located on the 5th floor of Hotel Yayee. A laid-back and chilled out place, the bar has a warm and cozy vibe that goes well for sunset cocktails while admiring the views. The focus on simple decoration and interior design is complimented by their custom wooden furniture that bring a sense of style to proceedings.
Budget & Hostels City Center
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.
Hostel Lullaby (Adults Only) 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.
Mountains-Suthep-Hang Dong
Villa Mahabhirom (Luxury) Located in the Suthep area, a 10-minute drive from central Chiang Mai, this stay is a welcomed escape from city life and a blissful break in a jungle landscape. Tall bamboo canes and palms line the paths to the 24 traditional Thai teak wood homes, of which 14 are used for guests.
With space for only 28 guests at a time, it feels more like a home than a hotel. The villas were once Thai family homes and date back over 120 years, carefully restored and renovated. Built on stilts, each has an open-air living area, dimly lit bedrooms, marble bathrooms, and cozy balconies on the upper level. Larger villas have private pools and garden space.
Veranda High Resort Chiang Mai (Hang Dong Route 1269) is a luxurious property located in the serene and picturesque area off the Samoeng Loop. It is on everyone’s best hotels Chiang Mai list. The resort boasts a contemporary design with a touch of Thai charm, featuring lush tropical gardens and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Belle Villa Resort (Hang Dong Route 1269) This pretty villa and its charming essence surely won’t disappoint visitors who stop by. At a pool entrance fee of only 100 baht, you can get a sweet taste of paradise for such a small price. If you are planning to check-in, there is a spa room available with a huge selection of spa treatments, a fitness center, as well as a restaurant and mini bar which sits on a large terrace by the pool.
And if you want to roam outside and do a little touristing, you can visit some elephants at the Patara Elephant Camp nearby the resort.
Lanna Resort (Hang Dong Route 1269) is one of these amazing places we discovered by accident. Just driving down the road we decided to stop for a coffee. Not realizing it was a bit of paradise in the middle of nowhere. Turns out there was one of the best hotels as well.
When you pull in to the resort, it opens up in this jungle valley with a large creek running through the property, and next to the restaurant and coffee shop. There are beautiful patios, and you can walk through the creek and relax on the rope swing. The hotel features beautiful suites.
This huge propery also features a Loy Krantong Festival Event every year. Also a popular wedding venue.
Mountains-North- Mae Rim
Mae Jo Golf Resort and Spa Located on the east side of the Mae Rim valley set against the hills. Fantastic golf and spa resort. A little bit outside of the area we are focusing on, but an option if you also want to play golf.
Four Season Chiang Mai ( Mae Rim) Located north of city center in Mae Rim Valley close to nature, golf, Mae Sa waterfall, zipline, and many more things to do. This stunning Northern Thai Lanna-style retreat is set amidst a luscious garden dotted with lily ponds. This may be considered one of the top luxury hotels in Chiang Mai.
Proud Phu Fah Resort (Mae Rim) is concidered one of the best hotels in the area. And it is located right on the Mae Rim – Samoeng Road. Attain a feeling of zen by walking through its lush pathways and flowing streams, calming your spirit and clearing your mind of any daily stresses.
Checked-in guests will find no problem with keeping themselves occupied with the numerous activities and services provided which includes: watercolor painting, thai cooking classes, thai massage, ATV tour, and a refreshing pool with an Aqua Pool Salt system- activities which energizes your body and mind.
O n s e n At M o n c h a m is a cultural retreat where guests will find themselves at one with nature while experiencing a harmonious blend of Japanese Onsen Rituals and Northern Thai Culture. The resort retreat is located further past Mae Rim, halfway up the mountain going to Mon Jam Hilltribe community.
Guests can indulge in massages at the spa, and international cuisine is served at Onsen At Moncham, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This luxurious hotel also features a bar/lounge, a terrace and a garden.
Cool Downs Resort (Mae Rim) is a place we just stayed at recently. It is a small boutique hotel just off route 1296 and in a perfect location to access all the attractions. The staff, pool, rooms, and breakfast were great. I highly recommend staying here.
I hope this helps you plan your visit and choosing one of the best hotels 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.
