43 Best Hotels in Northern Thailand, Thailand

This remote eco-friendly haven in the Doi Pu Kha mountains uses an all-wood theme, from hardwood floors to the bamboo latticework typical of Lanna homes. The airy suites are furnished with Japanese soaking tubs, spacious balconies, and lounge beds. The on-site spa looks out over the bubbling Wah stream, and the riverside cafe serves Sapan favorites like flavorful pork caps spiced up with chili paste.

Surrounded by the soothing calls of crow pheasants, this beautifully landscaped spa retreat has wooden chalets with modern amenities near the Pai River. There are two hot spring pools on-site, as well as a swimming pool with views of lush green mountains, a spa, and a tour desk that can arrange activities like biking, trekking, or bamboo rafting.

"Vimaan" means "heaven," and this fine resort commands a celestial spot on the banks of the Pai River. Deluxe rooms in the main house, a stately building constructed almost entirely of teak, are enormous and opulently furnished in Lanna style. Two-story villas are arranged along a path that leads down to the river. The hotel has its own motorcycle taxi service to ferry guests around Pai.

This luxury hotel is an attractive group of Sukhothai-style chalets built around a palm-fringed tropical lagoon. Some have their own private pools. Rooms are decorated in placid pastel shades, with bright silk providing contrast. Deluxe rooms have romantic four-poster beds and masses of silk cushions.

Named after the first Nan dynasty, this restored two-story hotel is a teak-lined trip back to the early 1900s, with old-world charm alongside modern amenities. Pukha Nanfa is the epitome of what makes heritage affairs such a welcome alternative to flashy hotels.

Rich hues, warm lighting, and grand Moroccan architectural flourishes set a distinctly exotic tone at this boutique hotel well away from the city center. The North African touches continue in the rooms, which have plush furnishings and heavy velvet drapes.

"Rim Doi" means "on the edge of the mountain," so it's fitting that two extraordinary peaks loom over this peaceful little resort near Chiang Dao. After a day exploring the nearby caves or venturing into the mountains, it's just the place to relax and prepare for the journey farther north. With rooms that rarely cost more than B800, you'll probably be tempted to stay longer than one night.

Cooling breezes from the Yuam River waft through the open-plan areas of this attractive teak hotel, with rooms a simple but elegant synthesis of white walls, dark woods, and handwoven textiles from Sop Moei Arts, an initiative that supports local Pwo Karen artisans. The small terraces overlooking the river are a nice bonus. The 12 rooms are quickly taken in high season—Room 23 has a lamyai tree growing through its outside deck and is particular popular—so if the hotel is full, the nearby Riverhouse Resort, run by the same owners, is recommended. It's more expensive but has more facilities.

This modern hotel is a stylish contrast to the nearby teak-built Riverhouse Hotel, under the same ownership, but the smart interior is welcoming and comfortable. Rooms eschew the traditional Thai style of this region and are furnished in sleek wood veneers and fine fabrics, and most have small terraces overlooking the Yuam River.

This bright and modern hostel has room types for every budget, from rooms that share toilets to suites with terraces and private bathrooms. The friendly local owners are happy to make travel arrangements and organize tours of the area and into Laos.

Sriwilai Sukhothai has redefined the concept of luxury lodging in Sukhothai, with a somewhat minimalist design and local crafts alongside sweeping views of rice paddies and the ruins of Chedi Sung. The hotel has two restaurants: one by the pool where breakfast is served and a second in a relaxing open-air pavilion, set in a lovely garden.

Although it's not a well-oiled machine like nearby resorts from the Four Seasons and Anantara, this small husband-and-wife-run hotel offers laid-back luxury at a fraction of the price. Wake up to birds singing around the lake across the street and a comforting spread of locally sourced coffee, homemade bread, and freshly cut fruit, then take solace in the fact that all the other tourists in the area are at least 15 minutes away.

In the heart of downtown, this sleek, modern hotel is among the best in central Chiang Rai. Spacious rooms are decked out in dark woods and fine fabrics. Public rooms are in "Grand Hotel" style, with fat pillars and well-upholstered sitting areas. Outside is a large pool and spacious terrace. The Golden Teak restaurant serves Thai, Chinese, and other fare. The hotel has a fun, plush karaoke room.