Specialty Lodging in Chiang Mai

You’re probably familiar with Agoda and Booking.com. These sites list around 2,000 accommodations in Chiang Mai, plenty of choice — which can sometimes lead to a bit of decision fatigue.

For around 1,000 THB per room, you’ll find some nice hotels. The prime spots are of course the Old City — everything inside or near the city walls — as well as the area just east of the Old City, between the walls and the river. From there, all the main attractions are within walking distance.

If you prefer something hip and modern, the Nimman neighborhood northwest of the Old City is a great place to stay.

Moving more toward the river in the southeast, you’ll find some hotels as well, but you’ll be quite a distance from the city center.

During peak weeks, the city can fill up early. In Thailand, this is usually around Loi Krathong in November (Nov 5-7 in 2025 / Nov 24-26 in 2026) and the Christmas/New Year period. Prices tend to be higher then, too.

Below is a small selection of unique places to stay — often a bit pricier, but still incredibly affordable compared to European hotels.

Note: All links to hotels and hostels on this page are sponsored.