Where to Stay in Chiang Mai 2026 | Best Areas + Hotel Map

Chiang Mai is Thailand's cultural capital - a city of 300+ temples, incredible food, and increasingly a global digital nomad hub. The ancient moated Old City contains most temples, while trendy Nimman attracts the laptop crowd. Unlike Bangkok, Chiang Mai is relaxed and walkable within neighborhoods, though you'll need transport between areas. The city rewards longer stays.

Editor's Pick for First-Timers

Old City

The quintessential Chiang Mai experience - wake up to temple bells, explore ancient wats on foot, and join the famous Sunday Walking Street market. Budget-friendly with excellent guesthouses, and central to everything. First-timers should experience this before exploring elsewhere.

First-Timers & Temples

Old City

Digital Nomads & Cafes

Nimman

Couples & Dining

Riverside

Budget & Local

Santitham

Boutique & Nature

Hang Dong / Countryside

Mountain & Temples

Doi Suthep Foothills

Quick Guide: Best Areas

Old City (Inside the Moat): Temples, walking street markets, traditional Lanna culture, central location
Nimman (Nimmanhaemin): Trendy cafes, boutique shopping, nightlife, digital nomads, Maya Mall
Riverside (Charoen Prathet Road): Riverside restaurants, Night Bazaar, Anantara resort, evening strolls
Santitham: Local neighborhood, best local food, budget stays, authentic life
Hang Dong / Canal Road: Boutique resorts, rice paddies, countryside feel, antique shopping
Doi Suthep Foothills: Mountain views, Doi Suthep temple access, nature, quiet retreats

Things to Know

  • • Some Old City guesthouses on main roads (Moon Muang, Ratchadamnoen) suffer from traffic noise
  • • Nimman can feel more like Bangkok than traditional Chiang Mai - depends on your priorities
  • • Night Bazaar area is touristy and can feel aggressive - not recommended for staying
  • • Burning season (February-April) brings serious air quality issues - consider this when booking

Understanding Chiang Mai Geography

Chiang Mai centers on the square moated Old City, home to most temples. West of the moat is trendy Nimman near the university. East is the Ping River with Night Bazaar. The airport is 15 minutes southwest. Doi Suthep mountain rises to the west. No rail system - transport is by songthaew (red trucks), tuk-tuk, or Grab.

Main Districts Old City: Temples, guesthouses, Sunday walking street. Nimman: Cafes, boutiques, nightlife, digital nomads. Riverside: Night Bazaar, upscale dining. Santitham: Local neighborhood between Old City and Nimman. South/Hang Dong: Boutique resorts, countryside.

Accommodation Map

Check availability and prices across Booking.com, Vrbo, and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Chiang Mai

Old City (Inside the Moat)

Best for: Temples, walking street markets, traditional Lanna culture, central location

$16+ $49+ $130+
Budget
First-timers Culture History Budget

"Ancient walled city with temples, guesthouses, and traditional Lanna atmosphere"

Central - walk to major temples
Nearest Stations
Central Old City (no rail - songthaews/tuk-tuks)
Attractions
Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Singh Sunday Walking Street Three Kings Monument
8
Transit
Moderate noise
Very safe, tourist-friendly area.

Pros

  • Temple hopping
  • Walking street markets
  • Budget-friendly
  • Central

Cons

  • Can feel touristy
  • Limited nightlife
  • Hot during day
  • Noisy main roads

Nimman (Nimmanhaemin)

Best for: Trendy cafes, boutique shopping, nightlife, digital nomads, Maya Mall

$27+ $65+ $162+
Mid-range
Digital nomads Foodies Shopping Nightlife

"Trendy modern Chiang Mai with hip cafes and international crowd"

10 min to Old City by songthaew
Nearest Stations
No rail - songthaews/Grab
Attractions
One Nimman Maya Mall Think Park CAMP coworking
7
Transit
Moderate noise
Very safe, modern neighborhood.

Pros

  • Best cafes
  • Modern amenities
  • Good nightlife
  • Near university

Cons

  • Less traditional
  • Traffic
  • Pricier
  • Less authentic

Riverside (Charoen Prathet Road)

Best for: Riverside restaurants, Night Bazaar, Anantara resort, evening strolls

$32+ $86+ $270+
Mid-range
Couples Foodies Relaxation Shopping

"Peaceful riverside with upscale dining and traditional markets"

10 min to Old City
Nearest Stations
No rail - riverside access
Attractions
Night Bazaar Ping River restaurants Warorot Market Iron Bridge
6.5
Transit
Low noise
Safe area along main riverside road.

Pros

  • Beautiful river views
  • Night Bazaar access
  • Upscale dining
  • Peaceful

Cons

  • Needs transport to temples
  • Can feel touristy
  • Limited budget options

Santitham

Best for: Local neighborhood, best local food, budget stays, authentic life

$16+ $43+ $108+
Budget
Budget Foodies Local life Long stays

"Residential area between Old City and Nimman with local eateries"

10-15 min walk to Old City or Nimman
Nearest Stations
Songthaews along main roads
Attractions
Local markets North Gate food stalls Wat Lok Molee
7
Transit
Low noise
Safe local residential area.

Pros

  • Authentic local food
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quiet residential
  • Near both areas

Cons

  • Less scenic
  • Few tourist attractions
  • Needs local knowledge

Hang Dong / Canal Road

Best for: Boutique resorts, rice paddies, countryside feel, antique shopping

$38+ $97+ $302+
Mid-range
Couples Relaxation Boutique hotels Nature

"Rural outskirts with boutique resorts and Lanna countryside"

20-30 min to Old City by car
Nearest Stations
Car/taxi needed
Attractions
Royal Park Rajapruek Baan Tawai handicraft village Rice paddy scenery
3
Transit
Low noise
Safe rural area.

Pros

  • Beautiful resorts
  • Peaceful setting
  • Rice paddy views
  • Less touristy

Cons

  • Need transport
  • Far from city
  • Limited dining options

Doi Suthep Foothills

Best for: Mountain views, Doi Suthep temple access, nature, quiet retreats

$32+ $76+ $216+
Mid-range
Nature lovers Spirituality Quiet Views

"Forested hillside with mountain temple access"

15-20 min to Old City
Nearest Stations
Songthaew to Doi Suthep
Attractions
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Chiang Mai Zoo Huay Kaew Waterfall
4
Transit
Low noise
Safe but isolated roads at night.

Pros

  • Mountain views
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Near Doi Suthep
  • Peaceful

Cons

  • Far from center
  • Need transport
  • Limited dining

Accommodation Budget in Chiang Mai

Budget

$22 /night
Typical Range: $16 – $27

Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities

Most Popular

Mid-Range

$43 /night
Typical Range: $38 – $49

3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations

Luxury

$108 /night
Typical Range: $92 – $124

5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities

💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.

Our Top Hotel Picks

€ Best Budget Hotels

Stamps Backpackers

Old City

★ 8.7

Stylish hostel in traditional Lanna building with dorms and private rooms. Excellent rooftop bar and social atmosphere.

Solo travelersSocial atmosphereBudget-conscious
Check Availability

Yesterday Hotel

Old City

★ 8.9

Charming boutique guesthouse with vintage Thai decor and excellent breakfast. Peaceful courtyard garden.

CouplesBudget boutiqueCharacter
Check Availability

€€ Best Mid-Range Hotels

Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel

Nimman

★ 9

Art-filled boutique hotel with gallery spaces, rooftop pool, and prime Nimman location. Perfect for creative types.

Art loversDigital nomadsNimman access
Check Availability

Tamarind Village

Old City

★ 9.2

Serene courtyard hotel around 200-year-old tamarind tree. Traditional Lanna design with modern comfort.

CouplesTraditional charmPeaceful retreat
Check Availability

€€€ Best Luxury Hotels

137 Pillars House

Riverside

★ 9.5

Colonial teak house from 1889 with suites overlooking the Ping River. Exceptional restaurant and old-world elegance.

History loversLuxury seekersSpecial occasions
Check Availability

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Riverside

★ 9.3

Contemporary luxury on the Ping River with infinity pool, excellent spa, and sophisticated Lanna design.

Luxury seekersSpa loversRiver views
Check Availability

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Mae Rim (countryside)

★ 9.6

Legendary rice paddy resort 30 minutes from city with pavilion suites, cooking school, and water buffalo.

Ultimate luxuryNature loversHoneymoons
Check Availability

✦ Unique & Boutique Stays

Khum Phaya Resort & Spa

Hang Dong

★ 8.8

Sprawling Lanna-style resort with traditional wooden houses, koi ponds, and authentic cultural experience.

Culture loversPeaceful retreatTraditional architecture
Check Availability

Smart Booking Tips for Chiang Mai

  • 1 Book 2-3 months ahead for Yi Peng/Loy Krathong festival (November - floating lanterns)
  • 2 Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) is water festival madness - book early or avoid
  • 3 November-February has best weather but higher prices and crowds
  • 4 Many guesthouses have excellent long-stay monthly rates for digital nomads
  • 5 Air quality December-April can be poor - consider air-conditioned rooms with purifiers
  • 6 Low season (May-October) brings rain but 30-50% price reductions

Why you can trust this guide

We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.

Curated locations based on walkability & safety
Real-time availability via live partner maps
Jan Krenek

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Chiang Mai?
Old City. The quintessential Chiang Mai experience - wake up to temple bells, explore ancient wats on foot, and join the famous Sunday Walking Street market. Budget-friendly with excellent guesthouses, and central to everything. First-timers should experience this before exploring elsewhere.
How much does a hotel cost in Chiang Mai?
Hotels in Chiang Mai range from $22 per night for budget accommodation to $43 for mid-range and $108 for luxury hotels. Prices vary by season and neighborhood.
What are the main neighborhoods to stay in Chiang Mai?
Old City (Inside the Moat) (Temples, walking street markets, traditional Lanna culture, central location); Nimman (Nimmanhaemin) (Trendy cafes, boutique shopping, nightlife, digital nomads, Maya Mall); Riverside (Charoen Prathet Road) (Riverside restaurants, Night Bazaar, Anantara resort, evening strolls); Santitham (Local neighborhood, best local food, budget stays, authentic life)
Are there areas to avoid in Chiang Mai?
Some Old City guesthouses on main roads (Moon Muang, Ratchadamnoen) suffer from traffic noise Nimman can feel more like Bangkok than traditional Chiang Mai - depends on your priorities
When should I book a hotel in Chiang Mai?
Book 2-3 months ahead for Yi Peng/Loy Krathong festival (November - floating lanterns)

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