Choosing the best hotel Chiang Mai Old City is crucial if you’d like to fully enjoy your trip there. And we’ve got a few excellent selections in our list that will definitely help you do just that.
Besides safety and comfort, accessibility to attractions should also be considered when picking the best hotel Chiang Mai Old City. Follow along to find out where to stay when you’re spending your vacation in Thailand’s “Rose of the North.”
A Quick Rundown of Our Picks for the Best Hotel Chiang Mai Old City
El Barrio Lanna: A Serene Hideaway
Named after the very first major kingdom of Siam, El Barrio Lanna flaunts a fusion of traditional Thai architectural concepts with a modern twist. Its rooms integrate native, indigenous materials and contemporary elegance to make guests feel the authentic Chiang Mai charm.
This hotel offers a variety of rooms that can easily accommodate anywhere from couples to small families. El Barrio Lanna also provides a number of present-day creature comforts and added perks any tourist would appreciate.
These include high-speed WI-Fi, a personal mini-bar, and even luxury 300-thread count bed linen. Some rooms even have exclusive balconies where guests can have unobstructed views of the mountains and other natural wonders surrounding Chiang Mai.
Besides the aesthetics, what makes El Barrio Lanna one of the best hotel Chiang Mai Old City is its location. It is set in the very heart of Chiang Mai and a walking distance away from most points of interest.
El Barrio Lanna is ideal if you’re planning to check out the Saturday night market in Wua Lai Walking Street. It is also a nice option if you’re looking to explore local hangouts like galleries and bars in the area.
Interestingly, El Barrio Lanna’s rooms and premises are relatively quiet despite its location. If you prefer a downtown hotel that’s close to tourists attractions minus the hustle and bustle, this one deserves consideration.
Address: Prapokklao Road Soi 7, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone number: +66 53 271 465
Email: elbarriolanna@gmail.com
Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel: A Stone’s Throw Away from Tha Phae Gate
Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel owes its name to the Bodhi tree that thrives on the premises. This tree is said to be similar to the one Buddha was resting under upon reaching enlightenment. And this hotel also aims to give guests an enlightening experience when they stay there.
Combining traditional design with modern nuances, tourists staying at Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel will immediately notice the Lanna touch. All of its rooms feature the elegant shades, lines, and curves inspired by the old Thai kingdom. It is also highly-rated among solo travelers and couples.
Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel’s biggest asset is its nearness to the iconic Tha Phae Gate. The latter is deemed as one of the most significant among all of Thailand’s historical landmarks. It was part of the Old City’s fortress in the 13th century to keep away invading armies from neighboring regions.
This hotel is also a walking distance away from a number of tourist attractions in Chiang Mai. These include various temples, the Night Bazaar, coffee shops, entertainment venues, and upscale dining places.
One of the interesting things about Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai Hotel is that it rents out bicycles to guests. Apart from having a personalized tour of the place, this arrangement also helps guests save money on taxi and tuk tuk rides.
Address: 110 Ratchaphakhinai Road, Tambol Phra Singh, Phra Sing, 50200 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Phone number: +66 (0) 53 903-900-1
Email: reservations@bodhiserene.com
Tamarind Village Hotel: Accommodation and Cultural Experience in One Package
The biggest star of Tamarind Village Hotel is the ancient Tamarind tree that peacefully stands guard in the middle of its courtyard. This strong yet gentle-looking tree is said to be already 200 years old and is the hotel’s namesake.
Borrowing the concepts of the Lanna tradition, Tamarind Village Hotel features rooms that have a minimalist design yet radiate a distinct homey feel. This accommodation option is a favorite among families and couples for its wide, airy suites.
Deemed as one of the picks for best hotel Chiang Mai Old City, Tamarind Village Hotel has a somewhat familiar vibe you normally experience when you feel nostalgic.
A unique attribute of Tamarind Village Hotel is its exclusive half-day and whole-day excursions. To give guests an authetic Chiang Mai experience, they will ride on a samlor or a three-wheled bike. The excursion will cover visits to the area’s historic building, temples, and other Buddhist landmarks.
Tamarind Village Hotel also conducts various cultural activities guests can get in on every day of the week. These include paper umbrella painting, flower garland weaving, lotus and banana leaf weaving, and spa herbal compress making.
This hotel even holds a weekly guided “village walk” tour around the place. The activities Tamarind Village Hotel has make spending a vacation in Chiang Mai not only fun but also insightful.
Address: 50/1 Rajdamnoen Road, Tambon Sri Pum, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand
Phone number: (+66) 053 418 896-9
Email: reservation@tamarindvillage.com
De Lanna Hotel: A Few Steps Away to Adventure
De Lanna Hotel is set right in the middle of Chiang Mai. It is deemed as one of the most accessible accommodation choices in the area. This hotel is practically a walking distance away from several tourist highlights in the place.
What sets De Lanna Hotel from its counterparts is its proximity to Wat Phra Singh. This temple was built in the 14th century when Chiang Mai was still the center of the Lanna monarchy. Moreover, it was given the status of first grade royal temple by King Ananda Mahidol back in the 1930s.
Guests only need to stroll for 2 to 3 minutes and they’re already on the Wat Phra Singh premises. That’s how near De Lanna Hotel is to the temple. This accommodation option is also surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, and even entertainment venues to suit your taste and preferences.
Popular among solo travelers and vacationing couples, De Lanna Hotel flaunts rooms that heavily reflect traditional Thai design philosophy. Besides being highlighted with indigenous materials, its rooms are also accented with native furnishings that boost the Chiang Mai ambiance.
Additionally, De Lanna is also near several Chiang Mai shops and markets that guests can check out during their stay.
Address: 44 Intawarorot Rd., Sri Phum, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Phone numbers: (66) 053-326266, (66) 053-326278, (66) 053-326279
Email: reservation@delannahotel.com
Aksara Heritage: Giving You the Opportunity to Meet Kings
Aksara Heritage is a relatively new hotel in Chiang Mai, but it already has a small following of fans. Apart from its homey Northern Thailand-inspired overall design, it is also very near to some of the area’s temples.
Guests will admire this hotel’s old world charm even though it is only recently constructed, Traditional Thai arts and handicrafts are skillfully integrated with each of Aksara Heritage’s rooms giving a nostalgic feel. They’re ideal for solo travelers and couples.
This hotel is just a walking distance away from some of Chiang Mai’s most famous landmarks. These include the Three Kings Monument, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh, all historical in nature.
You should definitely check out the Three Kings Monument when you’re in the place. It is a bronze sculpture of the fathers of Chiang Mai, namely King Ngam Muang, King Ramkamhaeng, and King Mengrai. Locals say majestic palaces used to stand in the area where the monument is now located.
Moreover, Aksara Heritage is literally right next to the Wua Lai Walking Street. Guests can experience the shopping the place is famous for just by taking a few steps. This accommodation option is also lauded for its gastronomic delights, which feature age-old Lanna cooking principles.
Address: 73/1 Rachadamneon Road, Phra singh Sub-District, Muang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Phone number: +6653 279 224
Email: reservation@aksaraheritage.com
Makkachiva: Chiang Mai Poetry and Art in Motion
Known for its furnishings that also serve as art pieces, Makkachiva is a hotel that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity . You will have the feeling that you stepped back in time because of its classic accents and adornments.
A contender for the best hotel Chiang Mai Old City, Makkachiva meshes present-day conveniences with age-old Thai aesthetics to pull the whole thing off.
One of this boutique hotel’s biggest asset is its location. It is practically set in the heart of Chiang Mai. Guests only have to walk a few steps to get to the points of interest like the Tha Phae Gate. It’s not far from the majority of the temples in the area, too.
Interestingly, there is a Buddhist temple right across the hotel itself. Getting to the major tourist spots will only require only a few minutes of walking. This will help you save money on tuk tuk fare. Moreover, you will also pass by a lot of dining places, bars, and coffee shops.
If you’re a fan of art, then Makkachiva is definitely the place to stay. It features an exclusive art gallery that features pieces from some of Thailand’s popular visual artists. Makkachiva’s interior and exterior utilizes plants as highlights. These give the place an unpretentious yet sophisticated aura.
Address: 144 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone number: +66 53 285 196
Reservation link: makka.co.th/CHIVA/RESERVATIONS.php
Phra Singh Village: Paying Homage to Regal Beginnings
The ancient kingdoms of Lan Xang and Lanna inspired the overall design of Phra Singh Village. In fact, it combines subtle earth tones with lines and curves that seem to dance when you look at them. The whole place is aimed to be a reflection of Chiang Mai’s regal roots.
Phra Singh Village is just a few meters away from most of the area’s top attractions. You can stroll to the markets, museums, pagodas, as well as temples during your stay here. Additionally, the Sunday Walking street is also nearby ready for you to explore.
Phra Singh Village offers bicycles to its guests. This arrangement was established so they can have a more intimate and personalized tour of the landmarks and historical sites.
Address: No.5 Ratchamankha Rd alley 8, Phra Singh, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200
Phone number: +66(0)53 272480
Email: rm@phrasinghvillage.com
The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel: Offering More Than Seven Decades of Comfort
The concepts and designs of a manor of more than seven decades was the inspiration for the Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel. The said manor used to stand on the exact spot where the hotel is nowadays. The family of Khun Suphat Jantarasup owned this manor.
Nestled on the Rachamankha Road, the Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel is practically a few meters away from historic temples and other tourist attractions. There’s even a temple right across it for you to visit as soon as you check in.
Address: 184 Ratchamanka Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Phone number: +66 53 278 780
Email: info.oldtown@thechiangmai.com
The Inside House: An Authentic Chiang Mai Welcome
The Inside House got its name from its location. Most of Chiang Mai’s top attractions are located practically a few meters away. Guests can already experience most of the area’s temples, historical landmarks, and other places of interest within a 3-kilometer radius.
This hotel features an architectural design, which is an homage to traditional Thai concepts with modern nuances. It’s radiating with simplicity yet flaunts a sophisticated charms that makes you feel right at home.
In addition, the Wat Phra Singh (Gold Temple), Wat Chedi Luang, Muennguenkong Temple, and the Phajao Mengrai Temple are some of the must-see places you need to visit when you stay in the Inside House.
Address: 56 Samlarn Road T.Phra Sing A. Muang Chiangmai, Old City, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
Phone number: +66 53 904 699
Email: info@the-insidehouse.com
Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts Hotel: Nothing Beats Classic
The Phor Liang Meun Terracotta Arts Hotel is very near the city center and highly-accessible. It is an ideal place to stay if you are a temple buff. This is because it is not more than a few hundred meters away from some the area’s historic temples and sites.
From the hotel’s entrance, you are only 40 meters away from the Bann Phor Liang Meun. It is only about 110 meters away from the Bumrung Buri Market. Moreover, Wat Pan Waen, Wat Duang Dee, and Wat Phra Chao Mengrai are just around the corner, too.
And in case you are wondering…yes, the whole place resembles a massive terracotta piece. One that you could stay in for days just for its welcoming atmosphere.
Address: Pra Pok Klao Road Soi 2, Old City, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
Phone number: +66 81 881 6644
Email: terracottahotel@gmail.com