Last updated on April 27th, 2024
Looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai? This was my complete accommodation guide to help you find the perfect place to stay in Chiang Mai so that you can plan an unforgettable trip here!
Chiang Mai is one of the popular tourist destinations in Thailand and this city has so much to offer. With around 300 temples scattered around the city, there are endless corners to explore. It doesn’t take very long for visitors to fall in love with its culture, charm, and atmosphere.
When looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai, It can be overwhelming as the city is quite huge. The main area, Old Town is located within a large square that is surrounded by the old city wall and a moat. Most attractions are situated in this area and it is the most popular place to stay in Chiang Mai. But several other interesting neighborhoods have excellent accommodation options that worth recommended.
In this accommodation guide, we have carefully chosen recommendations of the 4 best neighborhoods and hotels if you are looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai. We will share the most popular areas and a few lesser-known areas with the best hotels pick to make your best stay here.
Where To Stay in Chiang Mai
Looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai? The best area to stay in Chiang Mai is Old town, nearby night Bazaar, Nimmanhemin, and Riverside.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai for the first time – Old Town (Within the Moat). The Old City is also the best place to stay for budget travelers, with a plethora of backpackers’ hostels and budget guesthouses.
Best place to stay in Chiang Mai luxury – Nearby Night Bazaar area. There are many international hotels and great accommodations situated in the area. A popular place to stay in Chiang Mai for food, shopping, and nightlife.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai for relaxing – Nimman area and Nimmanhemin (West of the Moat). There are many cool places and hipster cafes can be found in the Nimman area. It is also good to stay for family travelers. A vibrant area for a relaxing stay in Chiang Mai.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai with a family – Chiang Mai Riverside (Ping River). It is quieter and a family-friendly area. Most hotels are built alongside the riverbanks which makes for a great atmosphere.
Below you can find my recommendations for the best areas and hotels pick to stay in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Old Town
Chiang Mai’s Old City (Old Town) is the best place to stay in Chiang Mai for first-time visitors. The Old Town is the heart and soul of Chiang Mai. It’s a perfect square, surrounded by a beautiful moat. The most important highlights and Thailand’s oldest Buddhist temples are located in this area.
Plus, Old Town is a walkable neighborhood. You can find plenty of different shops and a large range of affordable accommodations, restaurants, and bars in the area. All are easily accessible and within walking distance.
So, if you want to see everything that Chiang Mai has to offer, this should be your base during your visit!
Phra Singh Village
High-Range: Phra Singh Village – If you’re looking for a great luxurious place where to stay in Chiang Mai to enjoy some luxury, this one is for you! This superb 5-star hotel is a beautifully designed, peaceful, and luxurious sanctuary. The rooms are clean, spacious, and cozy. The property is located in the heart of the old town making it accessible to all the major temples as well as good shopping and restaurants. A great place to stay in the heart of Chiang Mai.
Chada Mantra Hotel
Mid-Range: Chada Mantra Hotel is a good hotel if you are looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai with an excellent location. The property is situated in the middle of old town and within walking distance to the local market, walking street, and lots of good restaurants and cafes nearby to eat and relax.
Great-sized rooms, large comfortable beds, and the staff are amazing. Most importantly, the price is also very reasonable. A lovely place to rest after a big day exploring.
99 The Gallery Hotel
Mid-Range: 99 The Gallery Hotel – Are you looking for a great mid-range hotel located in the heart of everything? You’ll find it here! This hotel is in a good location, a short walk away from nightlife, bars, and restaurants. The Sunday night market is one street over!
Besides, the property has new and modern facilities and amenities and all the rooms here are very clean and nicely decorated.
The Common Hostel
Budget: The Common Hostel – Wondering where to stay in Chiang Mai on a budget yet close to everything? You should check out this awesome place! This modern and cozy hostel is located in the center and it awaits with a 24-hour front desk, a lounge room, a fresh daily breakfast, and friendly staff. Not to forget complimentary bottles of water, coffee, and tea facilities can be enjoyed throughout the day.
It’s great to make friends and easy to meet new people in the hostel. Everything is clean, spacious, and comfortable. Highly recommended.
Nearby Night Bazaar
One of the great places to stay in Chiang Mai is the nearby night Bazaar. It’s a very popular area for tourists, especially for those who looking for shopping places. The place is always getting crowded at night and great place for party people looking for nightlife as well. The location is not located far away from the city center either, which is a great plus.
If you feel like this is the right place for you, here are the best hotels I have chosen for you in nearby the Night Bazaar.
Shangri La Hotel Chiang Mai
High-Range: Shangri La Hotel Chiang Mai is one of the best hotels if you wish to stay nearby with the night market. The location is superb and within a 10-minute walk to the main night market area. Else, finding a cab or tuk-tuk takes just 1 minute as there are available outside the hotel. The rooms are extremely cozy and well-maintained. Breakfast is tremendous with a large variety and top quality. Staffs are very nice and helpful. I definitely recommend it for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Besides, this is a kids-friendly hotel with activities catered for kids and is highly recommended for families.
Le Meridien Chiang Mai
High-Range: Le Meridien Chiang Mai is located in downtown on Changklan Road with a short walking distance from Tha Pae Gate and Warorot Market. The famous Night Bazaar with about 2 minute walk.
The room is spacious, perfectly clean, and comfortable. Breakfast is also opulent. Professional and friendly staff. Staying here for the great location, amazing views of the city, and many luxurious facilities!
My Chiangmai Boutique Lodge
Mid-Range: My Chiangmai Boutique Lodge is another great mid-range hotel located in the perfect place. It’s quiet but still so close to the downtown center and night Market. Everything is possible to get on foot and you can rest assured that you’ll be in the best location ever.
The property provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a bar, and a terrace. Perfect for holiday gateway if you are looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai.
Villa Thapae
Mid-Range: Villa Thapae is a cute little boutique hotel in the heart of Chiang Mai. The property is less than a 2-minute walk from Sunday Walking Street and a 5-minute walk from Chiang Mai Night Market. It is also within walking distance of many small restaurants, street food markets, and breakfast places. Still, the place is really quiet and relaxing although in the city center.
Villa Thapae is simple but cozy and decorated with great attention to detail. Super lovely and relaxed.
Night Bazaar Inn
Mid-Range: Night Bazaar Inn is another budget-friendly option if you are looking for where to stay in Chiang Mai on a budget. It has a great location and right next night bazaar, restaurants by the river. The property has lovely old-style Thai decorations that would please travelers. The rooms here are very clean and comfortable. Great value for money.
Nimman Area and Nimmanhaemin Road
Situated on the Northwest of Old Town is the trendy district of Nimman, which is also called Nimmanhaemin. I definitely recommend the Nimmanhaemin to anyone that wants a central location but they don’t want to stay in the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.
Many hip cafes, restaurants, bars, trendy shops, and hotels have established themselves here. There are hardly any significant sights in Nimman, but the area is perfect for cafe hopping. There are also many family-friendly hotel for family travelers. A vibrant cool area with a wide range of great accommodation options for all budgets.
U Nimman Chiang Mai
Luxury: U Nimman Chiang Mai is a stylish 5-star hotel with an outdoor pool and views of the mountain. The location is excellent which is located next to U Nimman. Everything is within easy walking distance. Rooms have a terrace and hotel facilities include a pool bar, restaurant, and sauna.
The breakfast is very nice, the variety of foods, taste are above expectation. Everything was fresh and just made was excellent. The price is also reasonable for this type of service. Extremely popular and best to reserve your room at U Nimman Chiang Mai early!
Moose Hotel Nimman
High-Range: Moose Hotel Nimman is a great option for family travelers with kids. It is located in the best location in Nimman, and opposite U Nimman. Everything you want is within walking distance. The hotel is new and clean. the room was very clean and spacious as well and the beds were also comfortable. Friendly services with nice complimentary snacks every day.
Stay with Nimman Chiang Mai
High-Range: Stay with Nimman Chiang Mai is a great hotel in Nimmanhaemin that has beautiful panoramic views of the city, free Wi-Fi all around the building, a fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool. Guests can enjoy access to a garden and a terrace. All the rooms have air-conditioning, satellite flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with a bidet. It’s also surrounded by plenty of awesome places for eating and drinking!
Yesterday Hotel
Mid-Range: Yesterday Hotel offers charming accommodations with contemporary Thai and Colonial architecture with antique furnishings. All the spacious rooms are comfortable, with colonial-style decor. The property is well-located on Nimmanhaemin Road, a bustling, lively street of bars and restaurants but the street noise does not disturb the peace in the hotel. Bicycles can be rented for free for guests to explore the beautiful estate at leisure.
POR Santitham
Mid-Range: POR Santitham is a great area to stay if you’re looking for very good mid-range places in Chiang Mai. The property provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, and a garden. It has all the facilities and amenities you might need for a pleasant stay. The room is clean and spacious and the bed was very comfy. Staffs are extremely friendly and helpful. The location is also very convenient where you can find lots of street food nearby.
Sakulchai Place
Budget: Sakulchai Place is a great budget-friendly hotel located near Nimmanhaemin Road and within walking distance of the night markets and Maya shopping mall. It is very convenient for guests who would like to go to Nimman and the old town area. The rooms are simple but comfortable with great facilities.
Chiang Mai Riverside (Ping River)
Chiang Mai Riverside is one of the oldest parts of Chiang Mai and it has the feel of old Chiang Mai. The area is located on the right next to the Ping River (Maenam Ping) and most hotels are built alongside the riverbanks which makes for a great atmosphere. The location is a bit far away from the center but it can be easily reached by taxi or tuk-tuk.
There are some excellent resorts and accommodations that worth to recommended for laid-back travelers who looking for a quieter atmosphere. This area is also my highly recommended for people who are traveling with their family and kids.
Besides, Riverside is also a great places to stay during Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival.
Empress Premier Hotel Chiang Mai
Luxury: The Empress Premier Hotel Chiang Mai – This beautiful 5-star hotel is another great choice for all those of you that want to be spoiled during your stay in Chiangmai! The rooms are spacious and extremely gorgeous, incredibly clean, and very comfortable. Staying here also means that you’ll be surrounded by great restaurants and cafes. It’s located in the Riverside area, within a 15-minute walk to Old Town and to the night market. A perfect place to stay in Riverside, Chiangmai.
Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai
High-Range: Centara Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai is a great option that offers views of the Mae Ping River and Doi Suthep Mountain. The property has a tasteful and modern design throughout the rooms and shared areas. All the rooms are soundproofed and very comfortable. Free shuttle service to Night Bazaar and Weekend Walking Streets is provided which is a great plus!
Rustic River Boutique
Mid-Range: Rustic River Boutique – This boutique hotel is housed in a nicely renovated house that provides a beautiful, quiet and comfortable stay. The location was perfect with proximity to great restaurants and the river. Everything was clean, the beds were comfortable and the rooms spacious. The staff is incredibly friendly and courteous. You will feel at home from the first moment and would stay here again any time. Great place with great value for money.
We Briza Hotel Chiangmai
Mid-Budget: We Briza Hotel Chiangmai – Don’t expecting much as the accommodation is very budget and cheap. But still, You get what you paid for! The room is cleas and quite spacious. Simple breakfast, indoor swimming pool, and free parking in hotel area with budget price. Staff is accommodating and helpful. In short, a great place to stay in Chiang Mai that good value for money.
Overview: Best Place To Stay in Chiang Mai
All in all, we hope that by now you already found the best place to stay in Chiang Mai. From luxury to budget, many great accommodation options are perfectly fit for all preferences and budgets. I am sure that every type of traveler will find your dream accommodation in one of my lists above.
But if you’re still undecided between the countless options we went through, we highly recommended Chada Mantra Hotel. It is a great mid-range hotel in the main Old Town area and has easy access to attractions and food. Great-sized room and is incredibly clean. A perfect stay in Chiang Mai at a reasonable price tag!
Did you enjoy this Chiang Mai accommodation guide? We have more Thailand travel stories to share for your holiday. Free feel to check it out.
Travel to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai:
- Chiang Mai Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
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- Things To Do in Chiang Rai Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Chiang Rai: Best Hotels Pick
Travel to Bangkok:
- Bangkok Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Bangkok: Best Areas and Hotels
- Bangkok Food Guide: Where and What To Eat in Bangkok
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