The Best Affordable Hotels in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's best-kept secrets: affordable hotels that don’t compromise on quality
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With its ancient old town, hidden temples and famous night markets, it’s no wonder Chiang Mai features high on everyone’s Thailand itinerary. Our curated list of the best affordable hotels in Chiang Mai showcases a variety of options that offer comfort, style and exceptional value, all for less than £100 / $130 per night.
1. El Barrio Lanna
This beautiful teakwood mansion captivates you as soon as you step foot inside. The lush gardens are a quiet oasis in an otherwise bustling city, while inside, spacious rooms are artfully designed, with exposed brick walls, sleek lines and bamboo accents. This is a comfortable, peaceful hotel, located right in the heart of Old Town. The on-site restaurant serves up a delicious buffet breakfast each morning, while the outdoor pool is open year round, surrounded by tropical ferns, palm trees and sun loungers. Their dedicated tour desk can arrange trips and excursions – choose from cooking classes, jungle treks, waterfalls and Muay Thai boxing matches to name a few. El Barrio has a timeless charm, much like Chiang Mai itself.
Rooms from: £77 / $100 per night
Location: Heart of Old Town
2. Bella Nara
Situated along the hip Nimmanhaemin Road, Bella Nara is a boutique hotel that makes a statement, fusing modern design with Northern Thai aesthetics. The spacious, airy interiors feature high ceilings and open layouts, with large windows that flood the rooms with light. The white-washed walls are accented with dark teak wood and rattan furniture, while the rooms are furnished with four poster beds, living areas and tiled bathrooms. The courtyard pool is surrounded by lush greenery and while the hotel doesn’t have a bar or restaurant, its location in the popular Nimman area means you’re never far away from a wine bar or trendy cocktail joint.
Rooms from: £80 / $104 per night
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road
3. Makka Hotel
The pointed archways that greet you as you enter Makka are just the beginning of an architecturally unique, elegantly designed boutique hotel lying in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old Town. The hotel is based on the concept of living in an art gallery; spot over 60 paintings and artwork from local Thai artists dotted around the hotel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with dark hardwood floors and oasis-like terraces filled with ferns and tropical plants. The interiors are reminiscent of a teakwood Lanna-style mansion, and you can enjoy delicious food from their on-site Thai restaurant. Our favourite part has to be the rooftop terrace, where you can sit and watch the sunset over the city, surrounded by a lotus-filled pond.
Rooms from: £70 / $91 per night
Location: Heart of Old Town
4. Smile Lanna Hotel
Set in manicured, tropical gardens and surrounding an idyllic swimming pool, Smile Lanna is a gem that lies just on the edge of Old Town. In amongst the busy city of Chiang Mai, the team have created an oasis that feels worlds away from what lies outside. The rooms are pared pack and modern, with dark teakwood beds and balconies to savour your morning coffee on. Try and grab a room with a bathtub if you can, they’re deep and luxurious. Unusually for central hotels, the pool is large and irresistible, with floating loungers and water features to relax on after a day of temple hopping. If relaxing isn’t your thing, they have a good-sized gym and free shuttles to the famous night markets.
Rooms from: £95 / $124 per night
Location: Just outside Old Town
5. KIRI Hotel
A refreshing change from the traditional, teakwood hotels that line Old Town Chiang Mai, KIRI hotel is sleek, modern and contemporary, with spotless interiors, a beautiful swimming pool, restaurant with outdoor terrace and views over the city to the forested mountains beyond. Its excellent location is less than 500m from Tha Phae Gate, putting you near all the main attractions while still having a quiet sanctuary to retreat to. The rooms are spacious and meticulously designed, with black floors and stripped back furniture creating a hip, industrial vibe without compromising on comfort.
Rooms from: £60 / $78 per night
Location: In the heart of Old Town
6. G Nimman
This extraordinary design-led hotel is situated in the trendy Nimman area, near to the Old Town and right next to some of the hottest restaurants and bars in the city. The incredible pool, with its atrium-like surrounds feels as though it could be part of a contemporary art gallery in Bangkok, complete with floating loungers. The bedrooms have some of the comfiest beds in Chiang Mai. If you can, opt for a suite, with Japanese-like wooden accents and an Onsen inspired bathroom. This is contemporary minimalism at its best, without compromising on atmosphere or warmth. The best part? Their surprise happy hour. Get here before word gets out.
Rooms from: £63 / $82 per night
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road
7. Rimping Village
If you’re looking for a quiet oasis away from the noise of the city, Rimping Village should be on your radar. With rooms and suites surrounding a central pool, this is only a 10 minute walk from the night bazaar yet far enough away to feel like a calm retreat in the city. Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the mornings, before taking one of the complimentary bicycles for an exploration of the city streets. End your day with a cocktail by the pool and a delicious home-cooked meal in their on-site restaurant, beneath the yang tree. Exceptional service from the warm and friendly staff, plus large rooms with beautiful touches of Northern Thai design, make this a gem in Chiang Mai.
Rooms from: £85 / $111 per night
Location: On the Ping River
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