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.
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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.
Old City
Nimman
Riverside
Santitham
Hang Dong / Countryside
Doi Suthep Foothills
Quick Guide: Best Areas
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.
Neighborhood Overview
Explore different areas by price range. Click a neighborhood to learn more.
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
"Ancient walled city with temples, guesthouses, and traditional Lanna atmosphere"
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
"Trendy modern Chiang Mai with hip cafes and international crowd"
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
"Peaceful riverside with upscale dining and traditional markets"
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
"Residential area between Old City and Nimman with local eateries"
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
"Rural outskirts with boutique resorts and Lanna countryside"
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
"Forested hillside with mountain temple access"
Pros
- Mountain views
- Cooler temperatures
- Near Doi Suthep
- Peaceful
Cons
- Far from center
- Need transport
- Limited dining
Accommodation Budget in Chiang Mai
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
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
Award-winning social hostel in the Old City featuring semi-private pod-style dorms and a lively downstairs bar. Famous for its nightly group activities and helpful local staff, it's a top choice for solo travelers seeking a community vibe.
ibis Styles Chiang Mai
City Center
Stylish, colorful modern budget hotel offering bright comfortable rooms, fun contemporary design, swimming pool, and superb central location steps from Night Bazaar, temples, and restaurants.
$$ Best Mid-Range Hotels
Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel
Nimman
Art-filled boutique hotel with gallery spaces, rooftop pool, and prime Nimman location. Perfect for creative types.
Tamarind Village
Old City
Serene courtyard hotel around 200-year-old tamarind tree. Traditional Lanna design with modern comfort.
$$$ Best Luxury Hotels
137 Pillars House
Riverside
An award-winning luxury boutique hotel centered around a meticulously restored 1889 teak wood colonial house. Located in the historic Wat Ket district, it offers opulent suites, a dramatic 25-meter green wall pool, and refined butler service.
Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Riverside
Contemporary luxury on the Ping River with infinity pool, excellent spa, and sophisticated Lanna design.
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Mae Rim (countryside)
Legendary rice paddy resort 30 minutes from city with pavilion suites, cooking school, and water buffalo.
Khum Phaya Resort & Spa Boutique Collection
Hang Dong
Sprawling Lanna-style resort with traditional wooden houses, koi ponds, and authentic cultural experience.
✦ Unique & Boutique Stays
Yesterday Hotel
Old City
A unique boutique hotel in the trendy Nimman area, featuring a blend of Thai and Colonial architecture with authentic 1950s vintage decor. Guests enjoy an on-site specialty cafe and proximity to hip boutiques and galleries.
Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
San Kamphaeng
Extraordinary resort recreating an authentic Lanna kingdom village with rice paddies, traditional wooden architecture, cultural workshops, world-class spa, and lush gardens along the Ping River.
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
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Chiang Mai.
Updated: February 25, 2026
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Overview
Complete travel guide for Chiang Mai: top things to do, itineraries, and typical costs.