Chiang Mai Boutique Hotels

Our room at the Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House Hotel.

Since 2002, an amazing array of small hotels have opened in Chiang Mai, a city where until then most of the accommodations were decidedly tourist class. Almost all of the new properties attempt to capture some aspect of Northern Thai style, in one way or another. Many of these hotels are quite small - less than ten rooms - so you're advised to book as early as possible to secure your special room.

Baan Nam Ping

This small nine room hotel is located right on the river (the "Nam Ping" of the name), about 15 to 20 minutes from Chiang Mai's city center. Most 'rooms' are separate bungalows. You can compare rates at the Baan Nam Ping web site.

Baan Orapin

Near Wat Gate on Charoen Rat Road is a charming 90 year old teak house set in shady grounds that have been converted to a bed-and-breakfast styled residence. There are villas as well as large spacious rooms for rent. Although the facilities are a bit basic, the location and attentiveness of the owners get rave reviews from everyone who has stayed there.

Bann Tazala

Bann Tazala is a tiny, quaint eight room hotel located right next to the huge and outrageous Mandarin Oriental Dara Dhevi. The decoration exudes northern Thai style with colonial touches here and there. You can compare rates at the Bann Tazala web site.

Kao Mai Lanna

Located 29 kilometers from Chiang Mai, Kao Mai Lanna Resort is probably not the place to stay for first time visitors to the north. However, if you're looking for some place unique to get away from it all, the resort may be exactly what you're looking for. The resort's 36 rooms are built into old brick barns formerly used to cure tobacco. The tall square silos house just two rooms each. A walkway connects the buildings and provides access to the second store rooms. All around the grounds are richly planted with many different trees and flowers. You can compare rates at the Kao Mai Lanna web site.

Puripunn Hotel

The Puripunn is hidden away in a narrow alley near the riverside restaurant and shopping area on the east bank. While the standard rooms are quite ordinary, the "Puripunn Deluxe" rooms are quite large, with huge bathrooms. See our review of the Puripunn Hotel for more information.

Rarin Jinda

Rarin Jinda bills itself as a "wellness spa resort" located right near the riverside restaurants and shops. The spa can be used on a daily basis, or there are 30 luxurious rooms with all the modern conveniences for you to stay in.

Tamarind Village

Tamarind Village was among the first of the new generation of 'boutique' hotels sporting a distinctive northern styling (opened in 2002). The buildings and grounds are exceptionally pretty, but the rooms are a bit plain, although I understand that they were upgraded in 2006. The hotel is located in almost the exact center of the old walled city, so you can explore most of the temples and museums on foot quite easily.

Tri Yaan Na Ros Colonial House

Tri Yaan Na Ros is an extremely small cluster of just eight rooms around a tiny garden and pool. The rooms are tiny, but well appointed and with very large en-suite bathrooms -- almost as big as the bedrooms. The location is just outside the south wall of the old city, in the traditional silver making district. Tourists don't usually stay in this area, but it has a lot to offer those willing to just walk and explore. See our review of Tri Yaan Na Ros for more information.

Yaang Come Village

Opened in February 2006, this small (42 rooms) hotels has a lot going for it. The location, a short five minute walk from the Night Bazaar area, is about as good as you can get in a city hotel. Tee collection of low-rise buildings were built in the shade of several huge banyan trees. See our review of Yaang Come Village for more information.