Chiang Mai is the cultural heart of Thailand, surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and jungles, is one of my favorite cities for its incredible markets, stunning temples, delicious, healthy food, friendly residents, and loads of adventure options.
Whether you choose to spend your days relaxing in a quaint cafe in a quaint city or go on endless day trips, Chiang Mai has something for you.
However, where to stay in Chiang Mai? When visiting Thailand’s amazing city, make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
Here are the top best places to stay in Chiang Mai, ranging in price from budget to premium!
Where To Stay In Chiang Mai With Top Best Places
Nimmanhemin
The Nimman region often referred to as the area near Nimman Road, is home to young people, students, digital nomads, and Chiang Mai’s trendiest nightlife. Nimman is full of trendy cafes, restaurants, boutiques, bars, and new hotels—not at all like the Old City.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai? The Nimman neighborhood has many of Chiang Mai’s truly stylish hotels, although the Old City is home to more traditional accommodations.
Nimman has a lot to offer during the day, so it’s not just for cafe life. There are nearly 400 different animals at the nearby Chiang Mai University Zoo, from Chinese pandas to lions. It is unnecessary to go into detail about the museums you can visit here, such as the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders.
If it’s hot outside, head to Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center to browse the shops, dine at the food court downstairs or watch the sunset from the rooftop bar.
The Old City
There are many Buddhist structures here, including temples, pagodas and ancient city walls, which will take you back in time to Chiang Mai’s past. This area is a typical inner city square.
If you want to enjoy wandering around, want to do yoga and want to find your soul but are worried about where to stay in Chiang Mai, then it is in the Old City, a fantastic location to stay. It’s great for photographers as you can take pictures of the moat surrounding area, which is home to more than 300 temples. Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man, and Wat Chedi Luang are some of the top sights around the area.
Riverside
Riverside offers an atmosphere reminiscent of the Old City of Chiang Mai. The hotels are built next to the river, creating a great atmosphere. It can be a good place about where to stay in Chiang Mai for you to stay if you are traveling with family or friends so you can relax and enjoy the luxurious atmosphere together.
Additionally, there are plenty of street food vendors selling grilled chicken, Pad Thai and other Thai delicacies, as well as reasonably priced textiles, fruit and other items from the Warorot Day Market. You might even catch some locals fishing in the river if you’re lucky. Here are the top places for families to stay in Chiang Mai.
Tha Phae Gate
The Old City is raised to a new level thanks to Tha Phae Gate. The wall separating old Chiang Mai from the outside world is represented by this gate, which still stands today. Even if you decide not to stay here, you should definitely go check it out.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai? Tha Phae Gate is a great place to stay if you want to avoid the crowds and completely experience authentic Thailand as it’s not often mentioned when people ask where to stay in Chiang Mai.
Tha Phae Gate is close to many hotels, although almost all of them are high-end hotels, making the area unsuitable for backpackers or backpackers. Even so, it’s conveniently located near both the Night Market and the Old City, so if you want to really soak in some fascinating history, think about staying near Tha Phae Gate.
Night Bazaar Area
The top tourist destination in Chiang Mai is The Night Bazaar. The typical Thai night markets aren’t all that this huge market has to offer, although it’s undeniably impressive as well. The Night Market is a huge event that spans several blocks and has a lot to offer you could want.
Be sure to stop by the Night Market if you’re looking for quality bargains to take home. Head to the Night Market for a bowl of smoky curry noodles or some classic sausage if you’re craving some of the most recognizable and delicious Thai food out there.
The market is so large that you could easily spend hours wandering in it, so many people choose to stay only a few nights there. Fortunately, there are both hostels and hotels near the boundary of the Night Market.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai? An important selling point for many visitors is the accommodation near the vibrant entertainment and live music of the Night Market. The best parties aren’t too far away and you can always go home right after. Because of this, Chiang Mai’s Night Market neighborhood is considered one of the best places to stay.
Wat Ket
You won’t have to worry about the crowds of tourists that often flock to places like Old Town or Nimmanhaemin as Wat Ket has not yet become a popular tourist attraction in Chiang Mai, allowing you to experience this trendy area of the city. Expect great river views and great seafood dining options as it’s right on the river.
Animal lovers should head to the Elephant Parade, where they can discover more about protecting elephants and even create a unique memento to take home.
Elephants are revered in Chiang Mai, which is not surprising given the city’s abundance of elephant sanctuaries. Wat Ket Karam, a well-preserved temple built in the 1400s, is another option.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai? There are many high-end and boutique hotels in Wat Ket, but not many options for visitors. You should probably stay away from this area in Chiang Mai if you are on a tight budget. But be sure to visit and view it!
Conclusion
Without going to Chiang Mai, no journey to Thailand is complete. From Bangkok, it is simple to go by plane or rail to this city. In the enchanted city of Chiang Mai, there is sure to be something for you given the variety of lodging and food options.
