9 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai

I’ve been to Chiang Mai a couple of times now and I have to say it’s one of my favourite places. Not only in Thailand but the world.

I first went on my own back in 2018 and fell in love with it. The blend of local culture, colourful markets and the laid-back charm.

Rach and our son came with me in November 2024 and since then we’ve been desperate to go back. It’s a destination that we continue to recommend people to visit. 

Chiang Mai is known as the “Capital of Northern Thailand” and is a great place if you wish to escape the hustle of Bangkok. 

The great thing about Chiang Mai is that there is something for everyone. You have the tranquillity of the old town or you can go to areas such as Nimman, a trendy, modern district. And no matter your style or budget, there are some amazing hotels in Chiang Mai to choose from 

Finding The Best Hotels In Chiang Mai

There are so many hotels to choose from if you decide to stay in Chiang Mai. I found it a little overwhelming when I was planning both my trips. 

Its worth remembering that the main city is near Chiang Mai airport. So it wont be too hard or cost to much to get to your hotel. 

The first thing you need to decide on is what type of hotel you want to stay in. Do you want to stay somewhere traditional like old city or perhaps somewhere trendy and modern such as Nimman. 

You also need to think about your budget.

I’ve done a lot of research since then, so I wanted to put together this list of the top 9 best hotels in Chiang Mai. 

All of these hotels are located near the best areas of the city, perfect for exploring Chiang mai. 

Hopefully this will help make your choice easier. 

I’ve selected hotels that offer a mix of luxurious hotels, mid-range hotels, and unique stays. Whether you’re looking for a charming boutique hotel, a luxury hotel, or the best budget options, there’s something for every type of traveler. 

Thats the great thing about Chiang Mai hotels, theres something for everyone.

1. U Nimman Chiang Mai

Best For Families

Click Here To Check Availability At U Nimman

I stayed at U Nimman Chiang Mai with my wife and son November 2024. 

One of the main reasons we booked this hotel was because it was located in Nimman. Since I was going to Thailand for work, my wife and son where going to be spending a decent amount of time in Chiang Mai without me. 

Nimman is a great area, with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants for them to explore. It was also a lucky coincidence that next to the hotel is a kitty cafe. 

U Nimman Chiang Mai is a modern hotel but combines traditional looking Thai styles. 

The entrance to the hotel is where you’ll find reception and the downstairs bar. The décor is stylish and has plenty of cosy seats.

We booked into the 2 Bedroom suite. Mainly so Edwin had plenty of room to run around and play. 

There was plenty of room, the bathroom was clean and it was well stocked up with soaps etc. They even provided bath bombs, incase you wanted a nice soak in the bath after a long day exploring.

One of the great things about the U Nimmon Chiang Mai is the rooftop bar and pool. Decent drinks, tasty food and some great views from the infinity pool. 

If your a foodie then you’ll love the free breakfast. Plenty of options and all fresh. It has to be one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a hotel.

Location wise you cannot go wrong, its on Nimmanhaemin Road. Its directly opposite Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center. Something my wife was very happy about, so she could have a little shopping session. 

Some of Chiang Mai’s best cafes, bars and restaurants are just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel. When we went there was a open market just next door, which was fun to explore. 

U Nimman Chiang Mai is not the cheapest hotel but at the same time its not the most expensive. It is however luxury but well worth it. 

Its the only hotel I’ve been to where they emailed before I arrived to pick what type of pillows I wanted on the bed. 

A really nice and personal touch!

This is certainly our favourite place to stay, which is why its top in our recommended hotels. 

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2) Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel

Best For Solo & Business Travel

Click Here To Check Availability At Marriott

The Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel is the first hotel I’ve stayed in when visiting Chiang Mai back in 2018. I stayed for just over a week on a solo trip and it was really enjoyable.

The rooms are clean, spacious and thanks to the big windows very light. Since the Chiang Mai Marriott is a tall hotel you get to see some incredible views. 

I could see all the way to the mountains, a view I could spend hours and hours enjoying. 

I love a good bath and the one in my room was massive, I loved the fact that I could use the remote control to lift up the blind so I could chill in the bath whilst looking at the views. 

The bed was super soft and comfy, plus huge so I had plenty of space. 

In a lot of the hotels I’ve stayed in, I can never get the air conditioning right. Here though it worked perfectly, keeping me cool in the night. This was certainly needed after the hot daytime adventures.

One of the things that makes this hotel worth booking is the roof top bar. Well its kind of roof top, its not at the top of the hotel but halfway up. Although you get some great views from the pool.

Theres also a bar next to the pool, perfect for a refreshing Chang whilst soaking up the sun. 

The bar down on the ground floor is also really nice, with plenty of seating options. 

The Chiang Mai Marriott is perfect for couples, families and also those travelling on business. They even have a few meeting rooms you can book out. 

It is a little more out of the way than other hotels but that wouldnt put me off. Overall a great hotel, one that I would be more than happy to stay at again.

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3) Amanor Hotel Chiang Mai

Best For Rooftop Vibes

Click Here To Check Availability At Amanor Hotel

I stumbled on Amanor Hotel when I first went to stay in Chiang Mai, back in 2018. I went to a rooftop party there and oh my god I fell in love with it, the rooftop infinity pool looks amazing. 

The three of us went back when we visited as a family and we watched the sunset whilst enjoying a few cocktails. 

Amanor hotel is modern but has a boutiqe vibe, the curved seating area is very elegant. 

The hotel rooms are very spacious and are very well decorated. One of the most common things reviewed on the hotel rooms are how comfortable the beds are. 

On our second visit we also went to the on site restaurant for dinner, they serve a mixture of Italian and Thai dishes. The food was very tasty and the service was excellent.

The great thing about this hotel is its location. Its in Nimman, so plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. 

Its also only a short ride to Chiang Mai old city, making it one of the best areas to stay. 

They’ve got a gym with new equipment if you want to keep up your fitness routine. If you’d rather relax, you can book a massage in your suite—pretty tempting after a day of walking around.

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4) Na Nirand Resort

Best For Romance

Click Here To Check Availability At Na Nirand Resort

If you’re looking for a romantic boutique hotel in Chiang Mai, the Na Nirand Resort is the one to stay at. 

Its colonial style architecture mixed with Northern Thai decor really stands out. 

The resort is located on the edge of the ping river, giving you some of the most amazing and peaceful views. 

Na Nirand is full of history and even has the famous Giant Rain Tree, which is said to be over a hundred years old. 

They’ve got this old house called “Baan Thab Phaya” with a story about a Lamphun princess and her Bangkok lover—kind of romantic, right? The staff showed classic Thai hospitality and made me feel at home right away.

The rooms are incredibly spacious and decorated in Lanna decor. One of the nicest things about this hotel is the pool. With sunbeds in the water, perfect for cooling down on those very hot days. 

Na Nirand romantic boutique resort feels quiet but still close to all the main spots in Chiang Mai. Its about 10 minutes walk from the night market, ideal for a little retail therapy.

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5) Shangri-La Chiang Mai

Best For Families & Location

Click Here To Check Availability At Shangri-La

Shangri-La Chiang Mai and found it elegant but still really welcoming. The hotel sits right in the heart of the city, close to the Night Bazaar and not far from the Old City.

The mountain views are stunning, especially in the mornings. The pool here is huge—the biggest I’ve seen at a Chiang Mai hotel—and it’s perfect for unwinding after a day out.

The rooms are spotless and quiet, with thoughtful details and a comfy bed. There are plenty of options for families, and they often have special packages that include breakfast and other extras.

I have to mention the Szechuan restaurant; the food was flavorful and well-presented. Staff throughout the hotel were professional and made everything from check-in to arranging day trips super easy.

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6) Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Best For Relaxation & Wellness

Click Here To Check Availability At Anantara Resort

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is located in a peaceful setting right on the Mae Ping River. Waking up to those river views would be a great way to start the day.

The rooms feel spacious and bright, thanks to the modern design and big windows.

There’s a unique heritage house on the grounds that used to be the British consulate, so you could enjoy a nice afternoon tea or a tasty steak dinner.

The riverside restaurant, Bodhi Terrace, serves a fresh breakfast buffet with both Thai and international dishes. Relaxing at the pool was easy, especially with the quiet garden surroundings.

If you want more privacy, you can book a suite with a plunge pool. 

Spa treatments are easy to book, and there are daily wellness activities if you’re into that. With some great hotel offers.

The hotel is only about 15 minutes from the airport, which made things convenient. It’s family-friendly, but the vibe stays pretty relaxed and never feels crowded.

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7) The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel

Best for Culture Lovers

Click Here To Check Availability At Chiang Mai Old Town

An area of Chiang Mai I would recommend staying in is the Old Town. Its often more budget friendly when comparing it to places such as Nimman. Its also a great place to stay for exploring the city. 

The Chiang Mai Old Town Hotel is tucked away within the old city walls. T

Its worth mentioning that Old Town is also very family friendly, so if you’re travelling with children then this would certainly be one of the best options. 

This makes it close to all of the action but quiet enough for you to relax when back at the hotel. 

It’s easy to wander out to temples or markets, then come back and unwind. The suites are spacious.

I liked how they mixed modern touches with local style. 

If you wanted a chilled out evening at the hotel and take a break from exploring Chiang Mai’s culinary delights, you could eat at the on-site restaurant Vorra Bistro. Its an Italian restaurant and the dishes are surprisingly authentic and hit the spot.

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8) Chala Number 6 Hotel

Best for Foodies & Style

Click Here To Check Availability At Chala Number 6

Chala Number 6 is one of the best boutique hotels in Chiang Mai. It’s in a lovely part of the old city and has an amazing lanna contemporary decor. 

The building itself feels fancy but not over the top, plenty of plants at the entrance to bring the outside in. 

Its located opposite Wat Chedi Luang, one of the most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai. 

Whether your traveling on a holiday or for business, this hotel is a great choice.

The Chala Number 6 Hotel has an amazing long pool with plenty of sun beds around the side. 

Perfect for cooling off in the late afternoon

If you’re looking for somewhere that has a good selection of food and drink, this is one of the best places to stay.

The main restaurant serves traditional Thai dishes throughout the day, their signature dish is the Lanna Platter which sounds amazing! 

You can also get afternoon tea from the Rice Barn House. They also do live cooking demonstrations.

Why not finish the day with some tasty drinks at the Rice Barn Bar, where you can enjoy beer, wine and a wide range of cocktails. 

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9) Melia Chiang Mai

Best for Views & Nightlife

Click Here To Check Availability At Melia

The Melia Chiang Mai is the perfect hotel if you want amazing views of the River Ping or be close to the Chiang Mai night bazaar. It is definitely one of the things to do in chiang mai. 

Melia is a great hotel if you want something that is modern, comfortable but also has that bit of extra luxury. 

I’ve not stayed here personally but I have been, it has the most amazing roof top bar.

The lobby is modern but I loved how relaxed it was, you really felt a calm vibe from the moment you walked in.  

One thing that does make the Malia stand out to some of the other unique hotels in Chiang Mai is that its very much influenced by Spain. The restaurant Laan Na Kitchen and even MAI Sky Bar has Thai dishes but have a Mediterranean twist.

Having said that though, you can certainly see the Northern Thailand decor and receive incredible service that the Thai hospitality is known for. 

If your planning a trip to Chiang Mai, hopefully this has given you some ideas and will help you decide where to stay. 

Chiang Mai is a destination that captures hearts with its blend of culture, cuisine, and charm.

Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious riverside retreat or a cozy boutique hotel in the Old City, these hotels will make your trip unforgettable. 

Book your Chiang Mai adventure today, and let us know in the comments which hotel you’re most excited to try

As a family we love Chiang Mai and cannot wait to return.