Chiang Rai, a provincial city in northern Thailand, presents a unique panorama of original and eccentric buildings, demonstrating a remarkable modernity for the country. Smaller than Chiang Mai and less well known, it nevertheless has all the hallmarks of a great city, thanks to its unique temples, a blend of modernity and tradition with a strong artistic touch. Are you coming to this province and don’t know where to stay in Chiang Rai?
We’ve identified 4 main areas where you can easily find the accommodation you’re looking for in Chiang Rai. Whether you’re a city dweller who prefers the historic center or you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’ll find accommodation to suit your needs and your budget.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Chiang Rai, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Chiang Rai:
- $$ this one, in historic center, offers rooms decorated in a contemporary exotic style.
- $$$ this upscale establishment, offers an exceptional view of the Kok River.
Map of different areas to stay in Chiang Rai
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommended hotels or apartments to stay in Chiang Rai. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll be covering in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Chiang Rai accommodation essentials
Places to stay in and around Chiang Rai
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Chiang Rai.
Putting down your suitcases and staying in the historic center: the ideal choice
There are 2 ways to reach Chiang Rai's historic city center: via the highway or via the airport. From the airport, you'll be able to reach the heart of the town in around twenty minutes by car . It's easy to get to this district of the eponymous province and find yourself in its nerve center. Guided by the Golden Clock Tower, Chiang Rai's landmark, you'll be able to visit many places of interest and stay in one of the many places of interest in this southern part of the Kok River.
Even though Chiang Rai stretches beyond the northern bank of its main river, it is mainly concentrated on the southern side of the river, and can offer interesting entertainment in close proximity to one another. It's the ideal place to stay if you're a first-time visitor or a traveler who likes to have everything close at hand. Staying in the historic heart of the city means you'll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as banks, especially on Sanambin Road.
To keep you busy, here's a list of places not to be missed here:
- Wat Phra Kaeo: This temple is famous for its Buddha, formerly made of jade stone. Now replicated, the original is on display in Bangkok.
- Chiang Rai Night Bazaar: A daily, affordable night market offering local culinary specialties and handicrafts.
- Kad Luang Chiang Rai Market: an extensive market offering fruit, vegetables, fish, clothing and local souvenirs.
When it comes to accommodation and price ranges, you'll find plenty to suit your needs, from affordable bed & breakfasts to well-equipped hotels offering the experience you're looking for. Concentrated around the Clock Tower and the night market, it's easy to stay here and explore the city on foot, which remains quite small overall.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located close to the night market, you'll enjoy staying in this clean hostel, which offers dormitory beds or double rooms. The rooms are spacious and make it easy to get around. Scooters and bicycles available for hire.
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In traditional Thai style, this hotel offers accommodation in spacious, luxuriously appointed rooms. Offering excellent value for money, you'll be won over by the impeccable service and golden common areas reminiscent of Buddhist temples.
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In a refined, modern spirit, you can stay in this hotel whose rooms are decorated in a contemporary exotic style. The common areas invite you to rest and meditate, and you can enjoy a beautiful swimming pool planted with trees.
Lodging near the banks of the Kok River: The more expensive part
Chiang Rai's Kok river is where you'll find such a wide range of accommodation if you want to enjoy a beautiful view of the riverbanks. In fact, you'll be able to stay in one of the province's finest hotels, located right next to the river, offering an exceptional panorama of the region. It's the ideal choice if you love nature, want to be close to it and enjoy a quieter atmosphere than in the city center.
If you opt for the south bank of the river, directly connected to the historic heart, you'll be able to stay in some of the finest hotel complexes Chiang Rai has to offer. A perfect place to stay with family or friends if you like top-of-the-range service in a unique setting. Depending on the location of your hotel, you can walk to the markets in around 20 minutes. Be sure to check the location of your accommodation to ensure you don't end up walking for 40 minutes! However, should you find yourself in this situation, hotels offer bike-lending services and you can always order a Grab cab.
The north bank of the Kok River also has an interesting range of hotels. More affordable and less luxurious, with the exception of one large hotel complex, it's easy to stay here for a few dozen euros. There are also other guesthouses further north of the river where you can stay for less. In this area, the Blue Temple is one of Chiang Rai's must-sees, and should be put on your list of places to visit. You'll be very close to it if you choose this part of the city. It takes 40 minutes to reach the center on foot and only 10 minutes by car.
Our recommended accommodations
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On the south shore, this guesthouse offers simple, functional rooms where you can stay peacefully in either a dormitory or a double room. You'll enjoy a swimming pool planted with trees, as well as an affordable catering service. Scooters available for hire.
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On the north bank of the Kok River, this top-of-the-range resort offers accommodation in spacious rooms with sitting areas. From here, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the river and the large infinity pool. Large garden and dining room.
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Beautiful, large design hotel complex with swimming pool overlooking the river. Spacious, modern rooms with large balconies offer superb views over the entire site. Several lounges and terraces on stilts invite you to meditate in a Zen atmosphere.
Chiang Rai's southern region: peace and quiet
In the south of Chiang Rai, there's also a wide range of places to stay, which may be a good choice if you're looking for a green holiday. Because the southern part of Chiang Rai is full of places to visit in the countryside, close to temples or rice paddies, you'll have plenty to satisfy you for a successful stay in Chiang Rai.
Note that therange of accommodation becomes more disparate once you leave the city. You'll need to decide which is the most interesting for you. To guide you in this search, here's a list of places of interest to see in the southern part of Chiang Rai close to where you'll be staying:
- The White Temple: Chiang Rai's most popular temple. With its mix of contemporary and traditional architecture, this artistic rather than religious temple is a must-see for many visitors.
- Singha Park Chiang Rai: A large park with a small zoo and a restaurant where you can enjoy the view while drinking tea.
- Wat Phrathat Doi Khao Kwai: Beautiful Buddhist temple high up in the Mueang Chiang Rai district, requiring you to climb several staircases. The view over Chiang Rai province is breathtaking.
To visit all these points of interest, you'll need a car or cab, which will make it easier to get to and from the city. Staying in this part of Chiang Rai will be a pleasant and relaxing experience. Please bear in mind the distance from the city center, which is 40 minutes away, so it's best to stay here if you prefer to stay close to the infrastructure, as the southern part of the city offers far fewer local shops.
Our recommended accommodations
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Not far from Singha Park, you'll enjoy this set of fully-equipped bungalows. Simply decorated, you'll love the calm of this rural area and the cleanliness of the rooms. You can enjoy breakfast on the bungalow porch.
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Charming hotel complex offering elegant rooms decorated in exotic woods. You'll appreciate the large swimming pool planted with trees, as well as the terrace and bar. A restaurant completes the hotel's excellent service to perfect your stay.
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Close to the Temple Blanc, this modern, industrial-style guesthouse offers comfortable, well-equipped rooms. Guests appreciated the varied, well-balanced breakfast and the surrounding garden.
Accommodation in the North: Airport and Northern Village
Easily connected to the center of Chiang Rai, the Mae Fah Luang International Airport in the north has replaced the old one in the south, founded at the beginning of the last century. Much larger to accommodate the large number of visitors to northern Thailand, it is served by the freeway that crosses the city from north to south. Nearby, mid-range to top-of-the-range accommodation is available for a stay away from the center. If you're only in the area for a short time and prefer to stay close to the airport, this is the perfect place to stay.
Around Northern Village, the smallest village after Chiang Rai, a little past Sin Amnuai, you'll find affordable hotels, guesthouses and small villas. You'll find hotels, guesthouses and small, affordable villas here, where you're sure to find peace and quiet away from the center, and it's a good choice if you like to get off the beaten track and stay in less touristy areas. However, to the west of the village there's the must-see great white Buddha , Wat Huay Pla Kang, whose colossal size attracts crowds from all over the world.
Elsewhere, you'll find temples and parks such as Wat Pa Or and Somdet Ya Park, Wat Ban Rai and Wat Ban Du.
It's worth noting that you'll need a vehicle to get to Chiang Rai and see its must-see places of worship. If you don't plan to rent a car, you'll have to take this constraint into consideration and opt for the center.
Our recommended accommodations
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Set in a new building opposite a shopping center, this hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities. A gym on the top floor keeps you in shape. Excellent value for money.
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In bungalow-style accommodation, you'll love staying in this resort set in the heart of nature. The rooms are functional and clean, with views of the exotic trees in the garden. Private bathroom in the bungalow.
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Situated between the Great White Buddha and the Blue Temple, this pretty guesthouse offers comfortable, simple rooms, as well as a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a tree-lined garden. The host's breakfast is highly acclaimed, and the service impeccable.
Summary
You now have all the information you need to enjoy your stay in Chiang Rai and know where to sleep! Less invested than its big sister to the south, Chiang Rai has plenty to surprise and disorientate you for a truly relaxing stay in full reconnection with nature and yourself. You’ll appreciate the large number of accommodations offering excellent service at affordable prices.
For a first visit, we recommend staying in the historic city center, with its many guesthouses and youth hostels. Close to all Chiang Rai’s major points of interest, you’ll find it easy to get around, even on foot, to discover the night market and small temples.
The banks of the river offer the most luxurious stay experience, as the finest hotels and resorts are located here. Ideal for families and travellers who like top-of-the-range services, it would be a shame to miss out.
If, on the other hand, you prefer peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city, your best bet is the south of Chiang Rai. Here, close to the rice paddies, pretty guesthouses and hotels integrated into their environment offer a unique experience far from the noise and crowds.