Known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is a destination full of beautiful temples to admire, including one of the country’s most famous. Situated inland, Chiang Mai is divided into a number of areas, all of them pleasant but with different assets. To make the most of your stay, it’s important to consider where to stay in Chiang Mai, and to choose the best areas for accommodation.
In this guide, we’ll establish the different places to stay in Chiang Mai, according to your budget and desires. For each one, we’ll share with you its geographical location, the must-sees in the surrounding area, its advantages in terms of location, modes of transport and general atmosphere. A selection of hotels we recommend also awaits you, as well as the essentials you need to know about this city where to go in Thailand.
Things you need to know
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Chiang Mai, 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 Mai:
- $ this hotel in the historic center offers good value for money.
- $$ this one is a stone’s throw from Chedi Luang temple.
- $$$ this establishment offers refined decor and is located in the same area as the previous two.
Map of different areas to stay in Chiang Mai
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommended hotels or apartments to stay in Chiang Mai. 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.
Essentials to stay in Chiang Mai
Places to stay in Chiang Mai
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Chiang Mai.
Staying in Chiang Mai's historic center, the ideal solution
The main district, shaped like a “square”, the Old Town is at the heart of Chiang Mai. It's a great place to stay, as it's an essential stopping-off point. Buddhist culture and history are strongly present.
The advantage of this area is that you're in the tourist area, next to most of Chiang Mai's points of interest. This is where you'll find the largest number of temples: Wat Phra Singh, the most sacred, Wat Chiang Man, the oldest, Wat Chedi Luang and the Monument to the 3 Kings.
This “city of 300 temples” has a lively, friendly atmosphere. As a dynamic area, you'll be able to enjoy the many events on offer, including concerts, festivals, exhibitions and markets.
When it comes to transport, the easiest and most practical way to get around is by tuk-tuk, the emblematic Asian form of transport. There are plenty of them here, especially at tourist sites.
It's clearly here that you'll find the most accommodation: there's a much wider range than in the rest of the city.
offer is much wider than in other districts. It's almost entirely made up of hotels, including some of the most beautifully decorated establishments. They're all affordable, although prices can rise slightly during the high season.
All in all, this is the place to stay if you want to be in the heart of Chiang Mai with all the must-sees and an undeniably vibrant atmosphere. So it's the best choice for a place to stay.
Our recommended accommodations
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Small and welcoming, this low-cost establishment boasts a beautiful swimming pool. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the location is ideal. A good place to stay on a budget.
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Featuring a swimming pool, gym and restaurant, this sublime boutique hotel is right in the center of the district. Pleasant and spacious, its decor is typical of the area.
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A magnificent establishment with typical Thai decor. It features a swimming pool, large suites and a restaurant. If you're on a budget, this is the place to stay.
Lodging near the Ping River, near the night markets
Staying near the banks of the Ping River and the surrounding area, to the east of the old town, is also an attractive option. A dynamic and unmissable district, it offers many advantages in terms of accommodation.
In terms of things to do, this is a quiet area, mostly residential, but with plenty of shops nonetheless. The alleyways are pleasant to wander, and you can discover the two main markets:
- the Warorot Market, the largest covered market in the north of the country, where you can buy local foods such as spices and tea, as well as clothing, flowers and traditional objects.
- the Night Bazaar, a market frequented by many tourists. In the evening, travellers canenjoy Thai street food at the food court stalls. It's a great place to take a stroll before heading back to your hotel for the night.
Staying here is also very convenient. You're less than a 20-minute walk from the historic center, and about ten minutes by tuk-tuk. In Chiang Mai, it's better to use this means of transport than a rental car or scooter.
As for accommodation, there's less choice than in the old town, but you'll still find quite a fewcomfortable hotels at lower prices.
In short, staying in this area is a good option if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the historic heart while staying close to the must-sees.
Our recommended accommodations
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Inexpensive place to stay in Chiang Mai with a good location. It has simple, pleasant decor, free parking and a restaurant.
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Beautifully decorated hotel in a typical, well-placed setting, with swimming pool.Free parking. Restaurant and gym.
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Sublime upscale establishment with swimming pool, spa, airy common areas and spacious rooms. It's a good 5-star place to stay in Chiang Mai.
Stay in Suthep, a trendy and dynamic district
Lodging in the west of Chiang Mai, beyond the ramparts of the old city, is ideal, as the area abounds in advantages. In fact, as well as being next to one of Chiang Mai's greatest monuments, you'll be in one of its trendiest districts.
You'll also be able to stay “near” one of Chiang Mai's must-sees, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. At least close to the departure point of the songthaew (“bus” in a jeep) that takes you there. Located at the top of the mountain, it's one of Thailand's best-known temples. You're bound to visit it during your stay. Nearby is the Bhubing Palace and many other sights.
The Suthep district contains Nimmanhaemin road, the chic street and its surroundings. Chiang Mai's trendiest area, travelers will find upscale boutiques, trendy restaurants and cafés. With its university, it's also home to Thailand's youth: festive bars and a lively atmosphere await you here. The airport is also located here.
The range of accommodation on offer is broad and accessible. You'll find apartments to rent as well as hotels with swimming pools. To get around, always opt for the tuk-tuk, unless you know how to drive a scooter and rent one. To give you an idea, the foot of the mountain is around 15 minutes away by two-wheeled vehicle.
As you can see, you may not be in the historic heart of Chiang Mai, but it's a very good compromise for staying in Chiang Mai.
Our recommended accommodations
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Featuring a swimming pool and gym, this is a pleasant, spacious hotel. Parking is available at an additional cost, and an airport shuttle is available if you arrive by plane.
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Enjoy the rooftop pool and stunning mountain views. The hotel is spacious and offers modern decor, room service and free parking.
Summary
This guide is coming to an end. You now know where to stay in Chiang Mai, which area suits your desires and which to choose.
The historic center, the first choice if you can, for its various temples and to be in the heart of the city. As a second choice, you can also head east, near the Ping River, with its two markets and lively atmosphere, or Suthep for its chic, trendy spots. The north is residential and quieter, a little less interesting.
One last point: if you’re planning to visit during the Lantern Festival, which takes place every year in November, make sure you book your accommodation early. The city is very popular with tourists at this time of year!