6 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A French restaurateur and his Thai wife renovated this sturdy old Chiang Mai residence into a clean and comfortable guesthouse. They describe their accommodations as "small and not-so-small," so don't expect palatial digs, but the rooms have all been furnished in perky Lanna style. The price is definitely right, and the delightful hosts dedicate themselves to making your stay memorable. They'll hook you up with the perfect tour guide, book you a superb massage, advise you about the area's restaurants and nightlife—whatever you need.

A sacred Bhodi tree stands sentinel outside this attractive hotel that looks out directly onto Wat Chedi Luang, one of Chiang Mai's most historic temples. A pond stocked with Chinese carp borders the airy lobby, whose lofty ceiling and plump sofas and armchairs evoke a French-Indochinese mansion. Rooms are similarly styled, with the accent on dark wood and Thai silk.

Each of the wooden Thai houses on stilts that make up the lodgings at this property have a rustic coziness, making for an utterly enchanting place to stay. Most of the snug teak rooms overlook the Wang River—ask for Room 4, especially attractive for its northern Thai style. The Italian owner, Lorenza, has lived in Lampang for a long time and has a deep knowledge of the area, which she gladly shares with guests.

An extremely hospitable (English-speaking) Thai couple runs this two-story teak-timbered hotel whose main building was the family home before the children left the nest. The rooms, some in a newer structure with the same wood-centric aesthetic, range in size from merely spacious to downright huge—the aptly named Grand Suite takes up 99 square meters (1,065 square feet) and has a Jacuzzi and a sauna. The restaurant serves fine authentic Lanna food, some from old family recipes, that incorporates produce from the couple's organic farm. Just off the Super Highway and handy for getting out of town and to Greater Chiang Mai, the Ruen is only a short stroll from Nimmanhaemin Road, a trendy area popular with young Thais and expats.

Set around a 200-year-old tamarind tree, this serene oasis in the heart of the Old City has white stucco walls and terra-cotta roofs, evoking the image of a French-Indochinese mansion. Rooms are decorated with an emphasis on dark wood and local Thai textiles. It's conveniently located close to Wat Chedi Luang, one of Chiang Mai's most historic temples.

Small and intimate, this guesthouse has the feel of a boutique hotel. Its very simple but immaculate guest rooms are furnished in dark local woods and crisp white linens, and each room has a painting or wood carving hung on the wall above the bed. A courtyard garden offers a quiet retreat with coffee and soft drinks on call.