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Best Chiang Mai hotels to book in 2021

Find the perfect hotels for your northern Thailand foodie adventure, animal encounter or cultural escape.

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Stephanie Yip
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Less chaotic than the Thai capital but packed with things to do from cooking classes to jungle treks, Chiang Mai has something for everyone – and an accommodation offering to match. With dozens of hotels and a host of luxury offerings, and everything in between, we've narrowed down the list of Chiang Mai accommodation to help you find the perfect place to stay.

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How did we pick these Thailand hotels?

Our editorial team selected the Thailand hotels on this list based on price, location and real customer feedback from hotel booking sites and review platforms. Where applicable, we used our own personal experiences to make recommendations.

Where are the best places to stay in Chiang Mai?

Best cheap accommodation in Chiang Mai

Prices in Thailand tend to get more expensive the further south in the country you travel, and luckily, Chiang Mai is just about as far north as you can get on the tourist trail.

Here, beds in dorm rooms in hostels go for less than $10 per night, while basic hotel accommodation can easily be found in the $20-$40 range. Cheap accommodation options in Chiang Mai are a dime a dozen, but finding the best bang for your buck can be a bit of a challenge. We've trawled through reviews, prices and ratings to find some of the best cheap accommodation options in the city.

Our top picks for cheap Chiang Mai hotels: Varada Place, Rustic River Boutique

Best Chiang Mai hotels in the Old City

Many of Chiang Mai's attractions are centred in and around the old city, which is set within crumbling brick walls and a moat that have been surrounding the area for more than 200 years.

Staying here will let you easily get to places like the Night Bazaar, Tha Phae Gate and Wat Chedi Luang on foot to save on taxi and tuk tuk fares.

Our top picks for Chiang Mai accommodation in the Old City: 99 The Heritage Hotel, U Chiang Mai

Best 5-star Chiang Mai hotels

If you've ever wanted a taste of true royalty, staying in a 5-star hotel in Thailand is it. From private villas to incredibly attentive staff, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury.

We've read reviews, gushed over pictures and considered the locations for these top picks of upscale Chiang Mai hotels that offer the perfect mix of location and luxury.

Our top picks for 5-star Chiang Mai hotels: Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars House

Alternate Chiang Mai accommodation options

Skipping a hotel altogether opens up a wide range of alternative accommodation options in Chiang Mai. Airbnb has a wide range of hosts offering apartment stays, which could be perfect for longer stints in the city, and rooms in local homes and guesthouses that provide a taste of how the locals live, including Lanna style homes.

If you're on a tight budget, or looking to meet other travellers, Chiang Mai offers hundreds of backpacker options. Narrowing them down isn't easy, but after combining ratings on Hostelworld and TripAdvisor, some of the top-ranked ones include The Tanita House and Hostel Lullaby.

Which Chiang Mai hotels are near the Night Bazaar?

Some of the closest hotels to the market are Le Meridien Chiang Mai, Movenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai and the aptly named Chiangmai Night Bazaar Boutique Hotel and Night Bazaar Inn.

That said, while these are the closest, most hotels within Chiang Mai that sit between the eastern city wall and the Ping River will be within walking distance of the Night Bazaar.

Which hotels are near Chiang Mai airport?

Chiang Mai International Airport doesn't have an official airport hotel, but VC Suanpaak Boutique Hotel & Service Apartment, The Airport Greenery, The Prio Condo by Loto and the backpacker-friendly The Better Hostel are all within easy reach.

If you've been staying in Chiang Mai's Old City and are hoping to stay near the airport before an early flight, it may not be worth the effort of moving – the airport is an easy 5km from most places within the old city and the drive will only take about 10-15 minutes by car.

Which sites let me book Thailand accommodation with free cancellation?

These sites let you make a refundable booking for your trip to Thailand, so there's less risk of losing the cost of your stay or deposit. Some sites only offer free cancellation on select Thailand hotels or at a slightly higher rate, so it's best to check the terms on your booking before confirming your stay.

Most sites, like Wotif or Expedia, will clearly state whether each Thailand hotel is non-refundable.

See the latest coupon codes

Which sites let me use a coupon code to book Thailand accommodation?

Using one of our coupon codes at these sites will save you money on your Thailand stay. Some may ask you to pay for your stay upfront rather than on arrival in order to apply the code to your Thailand booking, but the same cancellation policy does apply so if you are able to cancel, you'll be able to get refunded.

Which sites let me book Thailand accommodation without a credit card?

If you don't have a credit card to make your Thailand booking, but would like to reap the rewards of one, compare credit cards that offer hotel rewards here.

Which Thailand hotel booking sites have rewards programs?

Get access to cheaper prices, collect points toward free stays and get extra perks like Wi-Fi or breakfast if you book your Thailand accommodation on sites like these:

  • Wotif: Part of the same family, Wotif lets you access the same benefits as the Expedia Rewards program. You'll get access to lower rates and earn points, which can be used toward discounted stays in the future. Depending on how often you make bookings, you'll be able to get bigger discounts and earn more perks like breakfast.
  • Agoda: PointsMAX lets you earn up to 6,000 points for your stay that you can put toward a preferred loyalty or frequent flyer program, including KrisFlyer and Velocity.
  • Trip.com: Trip Coins is Trip.com's rewards program where you can earn $1 for every 100 Trip Coins. It's free to join the program. Membership tiers from Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond have different perks to enjoy.
  • Hotels.com: Collect one stamp for every night's stay. Once you stay for 10 nights, you'll be able to redeem one free night up to the average value of your previous 10 nights.
  • Expedia.com.au: Access lower rates as a member and earn Expedia points on bookings, which can be used toward discounted stays in the future. Different levels of membership get you access to deeper discounts and perks, such as free breakfasts.
  • Marriott: The Marriott Bonvoy Benefits program lets you earn points towards free nights, access special member rates, get free Wi-Fi with your stay and check into your room via the mobile app. There are different status levels depending on how often you stay, starting with Silver Elite (10 nights per year).

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