Where To Stay in Chiang Mai? My Recommended Hotels for First Timers
/I loved Chiang Mai and the chaos that comes with every city in Thailand, but Chiang Mai feels different.
The airport is incredibly close and depending on where you are staying you are going to hear airplanes taking off every now and then.
I stayed in the Old Town area like what most tourists do but if you want a dash of modernity and away from the seedy backpacker and cramped streets, you definitely need to try staying in one of their modern hotels in Nimman area.
For families and first timers, I recommend staying in Old Town area for a few days before moving to Nimman at the end.
Every area of Chiang Mai is thriving — I loved the artisans market, the countless access to Khao Soi and the cafes (omg the cafe scene is next level!)
But having said that, you need to also pick your accomodations wisely — honestly there are so many options but let me walk you through some of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai if you are a first timer.
Also read: 3-5 Days Chiang Mai Itinerary + Why You'll Wish You Stayed Longer
Where To Stay in Chiang Mai? My Top-Rated Places
where to stay in chiang mai? A snapshot of how modern the hotels are in nimman area
If you’re short on time and want a quick overview, here is my take on the best places to stay.
In Old Town Area
Chala Number 6 (luxury): Amazing Lanna-style hotel in Chiang Mai. Piped music and gorgeous settings in the hotel. For the ultimate Chiang Mai experience.
Thai Akara - Lanna Boutique Hotel (mid-range): Breathtaking traditional hotel with the Lanna team. Lovely place to stay!
Huen Hug Chiang Mai (budget): Great value for money hotel in the corner of Old City.
In Nimman Area
Chino at Nimman (Luxury): If you want something with luxury written all over and have access to amazing food & massages, you need to stay here.
The Craft Nimman (mid-range): Amazing value for money place that’s clean and centrally located!
JARITT NyMMANH (mid-range): Such a beautiful place in modern Nimman area. You have to stay here if you love 4 star places that have unique touches!
Bed Nimman (budget): Everyone’s favourite hotel when I was in Chiang Mai because of the value for money that you get — amazing no frills stay!
Why I loved These Hotels in Chiang Mai (My Review of Each Stay)
In Old Town
1. Chala Number 6 (Luxury)
chala number 6 — one of the most gorgeous places to stay in chiang mai
Everything about Chala Number 6 is so beautiful — the grounds, the heritage value of it being a Lanna property in Chiang Mai. I mean there is a reason why it sits at 9.2 out of 10.
The staff goes above an beyond from car rentals to special occassions. The hotel sits right opposite Wat Chedi Luang and literally steps from the Sunday Walking Street market, so you step outside into the chaos and then come back to this quiet Lanna sanctuary built around a rice barn structure at its center.
I also loved the spa and the in-house Thai restaurant. If you're going to spend big once in Chiang Mai, this is the place to be at.
2. Thai Akara - Lanna Boutique Hotel (mid-range)
thai akara - a quiet oasis in chiang mai
I would say Thai Akara is quiet oasis in the middle of the city because Chiang Mai can be overbearing sometimes and if you want something more serene. This is the spot.
The pools are one of the best highlights here. The one gripe is that some rooms can pick up noise, so if you're a light sleeper it's worth asking for something further from the street when you book. But other than it is amazing value for money considering there is spa, hotel breakfast and a large balcony.
3. Huen Hug Chiang Mai (budget)
huen hug chiang mai - a budget place to stay.
If you love, small-guesthouse feel and with a boutique hotel vibe, you will like Huen Hug Chiang Mai.
It sits right by Chiang Mai Gate with a morning vegetable market and night market both nearby, and honestly for the price it is as almost too good for what you get, clean rooms, quiet despite being central, and a shared kitchen downstairs if you want to do your own thing.
The beds and furnishings are modern and there are big jugs of filtered water and banana available too every morning.
Also read: Offbeat Things To Do in Chiang Mai That's Not A Temple Tour!
In Nimman Area
4. Chino at Nimman (Luxury):
chino at nimman - if you want a good luxury place to stay in chiang mai, you have to stay here
Everything about Chino at Nimman is impeccable. It is a 5-star experience with adults-only access which is what you really need for a proper getaway.
It it the best hotel to stay in Chiang Mai like there is welcome drinks, complimentary afternoon tea, and the staff really go out of their way for you. The Sino-Portuguese architecture and design is what makes it worth staying here. It’s tucked in an alley near One Nimman so you're close to the action without being on top of it. This is a genuine contender for best hotel in the city, not just in Nimman.
5. The Craft Nimman (mid-range)
the craft nimman in chiang mai
This is a low-key place that I keep coming back to for value for money. The theme is simple and understated luxury — compared to how fast Nimman itself has grown, this is a place you can’t go wrong with.
The included breakfast at the small in-house Craft Cafe gets specific praise, and the courtyard is also really nice to chill around at. There is no pool here but for what you get as a mid-range stay, I think it worth it.
6. JARITT NyMMANH (mid-range):
jaritt by nymanh - you have to stay here!
So if you are someone who loves small-boutique hotels with little touches, you will love Jaritt NyMmanh. There are antiques, individually decorated rooms here and a small property.
It's tucked right by Chiang Mai University rather than deep in the Nimman strip and requires a bit more walking to the main attractions. If understated, design-forward luxury with a personal touch is what you're after, this is a good place to stay.
7. Bed Nimman (budget)
bed nimman - perfect for a budget hotel
Everyone’s favourite hotel when I was in Chiang Mai because of the value for money that you get — amazing no frills stay!
It is almost like a bed and breakfast but for a 9.3 rating it is pretty good mainly because of how comfortable the rooms feel and the staff going out of the way to help with guests.
It's adults-only, has the only proper open-air pool among the budget options in the area, and comes with free-flowing water, fruit, and snacks on every floor. I would stay here if you want something convenient for a short stay.
What To Look For in A Hotel in Chiang Mai
what to look for in a hotel in chiang mai
1. Airport noise
I think this is almost unavoidable considering how you can hear the airplanes flying over every night.
Chiang Mai's airport is right in the middle of the city, so depending on where you book, you're going to hear takeoffs at some point, especially in Nimman since it sits closer to the flight path. If you're a light sleeper, look for reviews that specifically mention this, some hotels hand out earplugs as a workaround.
2. Old Town vs Nimman
Old Town gives you the temples, the walking street markets and ofcourse you can visit so many places within walking distance.
Nimman gives you the cafes, the modern hotels, and a break from the backpacker crowd. Neither is objectively better, it depends what kind of trip you're on. If it's your first time or you've got family with you, staying in Old Town first means you're not wasting time getting to the sights, then move to Nimman for the back half of the trip once you've done the temple-hopping.
3. Walkability to what you actually want to do
Don't just look at "distance to city center", look at distance to the specific things on your list. A hotel that's technically in Old Town but a 15 minute walk from the Sunday Walking Street market is a different experience than one that's two minutes away.
Same goes for Nimman, some hotels are right on Nimmanhaemin Road, others are tucked a few streets back near the university, which is quieter but means more walking to the cafes and restaurants everyone talks about.
Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai (And Why It Matters for Where You Stay)
i visited in december in chiang mai and i loved it - it was cool and perfect!
Cool season (November to January): the sweet spot
This is peak Chiang Mai, clear skies, cooler evenings, mountain views actually visible from your hotel balcony. It's also when everyone else knows to book, so rooms fill up faster and prices creep up, especially anything in Old Town near the main temples. If you're eyeing one of the luxury picks like Chala Number 6 or Chino at Nimman for this window, book earlier than you think you need to.
Burning season (February to April): know before you book
This is the one nobody warns you about until you're already there and generally I would avoid. It is not pleasant!
Farmers across Northern Thailand and neighboring countries burn fields to clear them for planting, and it blankets the whole region in haze, usually worst through March. Air quality is so bad!! If you're travelling during this window and it matters to you, it's worth checking whether a hotel has air purifiers in the rooms, some of the mid-range and luxury places have started adding them because guests specifically ask.
Songkran (mid-April): plan around it
Right as the haze usually starts clearing, Thai New Year hits and the whole city turns into a giant water fight called Songkran Festival. It's genuinely one of the best times to experience Chiang Mai, but it also means the city is packed and loud, so if you want a quieter stay, this isn't it. If you do come for Songkran, Old Town is where most of the action happens, so factor that into which area you pick.
Rainy season (late April to October): underrated and quieter
I like this season also a lot because prices are lower and everything is so greeeeen! Omg the waterfalls are also worth visiting during this time. The annoying this is the afternoon downpours that can mess with outdoor plans, so it's less ideal if hiking or trekking is the main point of your trip. But for hotel hunting specifically, this is when you'll find better rates even on the places that are usually fully booked in cool season.
Read my other Chiang Mai and Thailand guides:
3-5 Days Chiang Mai Itinerary + Why You'll Wish You Stayed Longer
Doi Inthanon National Park Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Thailand's Highest Peak
Offbeat Things To Do in Chiang Mai That's Not A Temple Tour!
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