Where to stay in Chiang Mai?
Our guide, from our visit in January 2025
Where to stay in Chiang Mai: the Old City, the Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan, Nimman, the riverside and Santitham - the differences, where we stayed and what to check before you book.
Read the full guideChiang Mai is one of the cities we enjoyed visiting most in Thailand. We loved the small streets, the cafes, the restaurants, the markets and an atmosphere that feels very different from the beach destinations in the south.
But when you look into where to stay in Chiang Mai, you discover that the city is divided into several areas with very different characters. You can stay inside the Old City, choose the modern Nimman neighbourhood, base yourself near the Night Bazaar or go for somewhere quieter by the river.
In January 2025 we stayed at Astra Sky River Chiang Mai, an apartment complex in the Chang Khlan area, and we really enjoyed both the stay and the location. In this guide we explain the differences between the areas, what to check before you book and where we would choose to stay depending on the kind of holiday.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai - in short
| Area | Best for | Main advantage | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old City | First-time visitors, temples and exploring on foot | Lanes, cafes, temples and markets | The exact location and the noise level |
| Night Bazaar / Chang Khlan | Anyone who wants a comfortable hotel, shopping and evenings out | Evening markets, restaurants and access to other parts of the city | The walking distance to the Old City |
| Nimman | Lovers of cafes, restaurants and modern design | An urban area with plenty to do | The distance to the temples and the road traffic |
| Riverside - Ping River | Couples and anyone who prefers a relaxed atmosphere | Riverside hotels and quieter surroundings | You will need transport to the centre |
| Santitham | Anyone looking for a more local area or a long stay | Local restaurants and simple places to stay | The distance to the main sights |
Our recommendation: for a short first visit to Chiang Mai, we would start the search in the Old City or in the Chang Khlan area. If cafes, restaurants and a modern urban feel are a central part of your holiday, it is worth looking at Nimman too.
What should you know before choosing a hotel in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is very different from Khao Sok, Railay and Koh Phi Phi.
Here you are not just choosing between a hotel on the beach and one further away. This is a city with neighbourhoods, roads, shopping centres, restaurants and historic areas.
The Old City is the historic centre, but not everything that interests travellers is inside it.
For example, Nimman lies west of the Old City, while the Night Bazaar area lies east of it.
The Ping River is also east of the historic centre, and around it you will find places to stay with a different character.
We recommend starting with three questions:
- Do you want to explore mostly on foot, between temples and lanes?
- Is going out in the evening to restaurants, markets and cafes important to you?
- Would you rather have a hotel with facilities such as a pool, even if it is not in the heart of the Old City?
Once you have answered these questions, it is easier to choose the right area.
The areas to stay in Chiang Mai
1. The Old City: temples, lanes and cafes
We visited the area during our trip, but we did not stay here.
The Old City is one of the areas most closely associated with Chiang Mai.
The historic centre is surrounded by a moat and the remains of the city walls, and inside it are temples, small lanes, cafes, restaurants and places to stay.
This is the area you come to in order to get to know the historic side of Chiang Mai.
During our visit we walked around the Chiang Mai Old City and enjoyed the small streets and being able to drop into cafes and restaurants as we wandered.
One of the advantages of the area is that you do not have to plan every outing as a separate trip. You can step out of where you are staying, wander the streets and stop wherever looks interesting.
The Old City especially suits anyone coming to Chiang Mai for the first time who wants to spend time on temples, walking and markets.
Who is it for?
Travellers on a short or first visit to Chiang Mai, couples who like to wander on foot and anyone interested in temples and the historic atmosphere.
What to check?
Not all the streets in the Old City are equally quiet.
Check whether your place to stay is on a main road or in a side lane, and which temples, restaurants and markets are close to it.
If you plan to visit the Sunday market, also check the location in relation to Ratchadamnoen Road and Tha Phae Gate.
2. The Night Bazaar area - Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan
This is the area where we stayed in January 2025.
The Chang Khlan area is east of the Old City and is associated with Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar area.
You will find hotels, serviced apartment buildings, shopping centres, restaurants and evening markets here.
It is an area that lets you combine a comfortable place to stay with going out to restaurants and markets, without having to sleep inside the Old City.
We stayed at Astra Sky River Chiang Mai, and our experience was very good.
We loved the place itself, which felt beautiful and indulgent to us, and also the location, which was a convenient area for us.
What did we like about the area?
During our visit to Chiang Mai we really enjoyed being able to combine cafes, restaurants, shopping and trips around the city.
The Night Bazaar area lets you go out in the evening for food and shopping, without everything revolving around temples and historic sights.
That said, it is important to separate the area itself from the experience of the market.
At the Night Bazaar we enjoyed the food and the prices, but it can be very busy and crowded, and for a couple looking for a quiet, romantic dinner it would not necessarily be our first choice. If you are in Chiang Mai over a weekend, we would make the Saturday and Sunday markets a priority.
So we would not choose a hotel just because it is near the Night Bazaar.
Who is it for?
Anyone who wants to combine a comfortable place to stay with shopping, restaurants and evening markets, and anyone who would rather not be limited to the places to stay inside the Old City.
What to check?
The area is fairly large, so it is important to check the exact location of the place to stay and not just the name of the neighbourhood.
Check the distance to the Night Bazaar, the Old City and the restaurants that interest you.
Also, if you book an apartment in a residential building, it is important to check the terms of the stay, the reception services and access to the facilities.
3. Nimman - Nimmanhaemin: cafes and a modern atmosphere
General information about the area - we did not stay in Nimman.
Nimmanhaemin, also known as Nimman, lies west of Chiang Mai's Old City.
It is a modern urban area associated with cafes, restaurants, shops and shopping centres such as One Nimman and MAYA.
The area is also popular with travellers who stay in Chiang Mai for longer periods and work remotely.
The atmosphere here is different from the Old City. Rather than focusing mainly on temples and historic buildings, Nimman suits anyone who enjoys a modern urban setting and a wide choice of cafes and restaurants.
Who is it for?
Couples who love cafes and restaurants, travellers looking for an urban atmosphere and anyone planning a longer stay in Chiang Mai.
What to check?
The distance to the Old City and the temples, and the location in relation to the main roads.
Some parts of Nimman may have traffic and aircraft noise, so read recent reviews about the specific room before you book.
We would not choose Nimman just because of its image as a trendy area, but according to the places where you actually plan to spend your time.
4. The Ping River area - Riverside
General information - we did not stay in the river area.
The Ping River runs east of Chiang Mai's Old City.
Along it are hotels and places to stay, some of which offer gardens, terraces and river views.
It is an area that suits anyone looking for calmer surroundings who also wants to enjoy the place they are staying in.
Unlike staying inside the Old City, here you should not assume that all the temples and markets are within an easy walk.
Who is it for?
Couples who prefer a relaxed atmosphere, anyone looking for a hotel with a view and travellers who do not mind using transport to reach some of the sights.
What to check?
The distance to the Old City, to the restaurant areas and to the bridges that let you cross between parts of the city.
If spending most of the day exploring independently on foot is important to you, make sure the location really suits that.
5. Santitham: a local area and long stays
General information - we did not stay in this area.
Santitham lies north-west of the Old City, in the area between the historic centre and Nimman.
The neighbourhood has a more local feel, with homes, simple restaurants and places to stay.
It may suit anyone looking for an alternative to the main tourist areas or planning a fairly long stay in the city.
On the other hand, if you are coming to Chiang Mai for just a few days and mainly want to see the historic sites, staying in the Old City may be more convenient.
Who is it for?
Travellers who prefer local surroundings, longer stays and anyone who does not need to sleep in the tourist centre.
What to check?
The distance to the Old City and to Nimman, and the transport options to the places you want to visit.
Where we stayed - Astra Sky River Chiang Mai
We stayed here in January 2025.
During our visit to Chiang Mai we chose Astra Sky River Chiang Mai, an apartment complex in the Chang Khlan area.
We really loved the place. It was beautiful and indulgent, and the location suited the way we got around the city, partly thanks to being close to shopping centres.
It was a successful choice for us, especially because we wanted to combine a pleasant place to stay with going out to restaurants, shopping and trips in the area.
Keep in mind that this is an apartment complex, so check the details of the specific unit and the services included in your booking, and do not rely only on the general photos of the building.
Which is better - the Old City or Nimman?
This is one of the most common dilemmas when looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai.
Both areas offer an urban experience, but with a different emphasis.
| Topic | Old City | Nimman |
|---|---|---|
| Character of the area | Historic, temples and lanes | Modern, cafes and shops |
| Exploring on foot | Easy for the historic sites | Easy for going out within the neighbourhood |
| Restaurants and cafes | A good mix alongside temples and markets | A focus on modern restaurants and cafes |
| First visit | An especially convenient choice | Suits you if the urban atmosphere matters more |
| Getting to the Old City temples | Fairly easy | Usually means crossing to another area |
For a first visit of a few days, we would start looking for a place to stay in the Old City.
But if your plans include lots of cafes, restaurants, shopping and city life, Nimman is definitely worth a look too.
Is it worth staying near the Night Bazaar?
The main advantage of the Night Bazaar area is the convenience for anyone who likes going out in the evening.
The area has markets, restaurants and shops, and it is east of the Old City.
We stayed in the Chang Khlan area and really enjoyed the place we chose.
But it is important to understand that the Night Bazaar is not necessarily the most interesting attraction in Chiang Mai for every traveller.
For us, Chiang Mai's night markets were handy, tasty and pleasant, but less of a special experience in their own right. And if you are in the city over a weekend, we would make the Saturday and Sunday markets a priority.
So if you find an excellent hotel in this area, it is definitely an option worth considering. But we would not pay more just to sleep right next to the market.
How to match the area to your travel plans?
One easy way to choose an area to stay in is to look at what you plan to do in Chiang Mai.
If you plan to visit temples and the Old City
Start your search inside the Old City or around Tha Phae Gate.
That way you can spend time wandering the lanes and visiting temples without every outing requiring a ride.
If you love cafes, restaurants and shopping
You can look at Nimman or the Chang Khlan area.
Both offer plenty of city life, but with a different character.
If you are looking for a quiet, indulgent hotel
You can look at the Ping River area, or a place with the facilities that suit you in one of the other areas.
We really enjoyed our stay at Astra Sky River, even without sleeping inside the Old City.
If you plan trips outside the city
Choose a place to stay that is convenient for transfers or tour pick-ups.
We also visited Doi Suthep temple and the viewpoint on the way up to it, so our visit to Chiang Mai was not limited to the urban areas.
If you are planning several day trips, it is important to check the pick-up options from where you are staying.
How do you get around between the areas in Chiang Mai?
In some areas you can do a lot on foot, especially inside the Old City and between the cafes and restaurants of the same neighbourhood.
But the distances between neighbourhoods are greater, so do not assume that all of Chiang Mai is a short walk away.
To get between areas you can use ride-hailing apps and taxis, as well as the shared red trucks known as songthaew.
If you plan to spend most of your time in one neighbourhood, a central location can save you some of the journeys.
If you want to visit a different area every day, you can also choose a place a little further out, as long as the transport options are convenient.
How many nights should you stay in Chiang Mai?
We stayed in Chiang Mai at the start of our trip, before moving on to Pai. For first-time visitors we would consider at least three full days, to allow time in the Old City, an evening at the market and a trip up to Doi Suthep.
Two nights - a short introduction
A short visit suits anyone who is fitting the city into a route around northern Thailand and wants to enjoy some of the main sights.
When time is short, we recommend choosing a place to stay that makes it easy to get to the areas you plan to visit.
Three to four nights - more time for the city and its surroundings
Three to four nights let you combine the Old City, markets, cafes and a trip out of the city.
It is a comfortable option for anyone who wants to spend time in the city without filling every day with activities.
Five nights or more - for getting to know the city at a relaxed pace
A longer stay lets you spend time in different neighbourhoods, restaurants and cafes, and on trips around northern Thailand.
In that case you can give more weight to how comfortable the place is and to its everyday surroundings.
How to choose a hotel in Chiang Mai?
Before you book, we recommend checking five things.
1. The location in relation to your plans
A hotel in a generally good area will not necessarily suit the places where you want to spend your time.
If most of your plans centre on the Old City, choose a location that makes it easy to get there.
2. The immediate surroundings
Check whether there are restaurants and cafes within walking distance, and whether the street suits the kind of holiday you are after.
3. The type of accommodation
In Chiang Mai you can choose between hotels, guesthouses and serviced apartments.
In an apartment in a residential complex, it is important to check the booking terms and the services included with the unit.
4. Noise and traffic
A hotel on a main road can be convenient for location but less quiet.
Read reviews about outside noise, especially if you are staying near a nightlife area or a busy road.
5. Hotel facilities
If a pool, a gym or a spacious room matters to you, check the facilities rather than stopping at choosing the area.
We really enjoyed the place we stayed, so for us the quality of the place itself is a significant part of the decision.
FAQ about where to stay in Chiang Mai
Where is the best place to stay in Chiang Mai on a first visit?
For a first visit, if you want to explore the temples and lanes, the Old City is an easy starting point. The Chang Khlan area also suits anyone who wants a comfortable hotel and access to markets and restaurants.
What is the difference between the Old City and Nimman?
The Old City centres on temples, lanes and a historic atmosphere. Nimman is a more modern neighbourhood associated with cafes, restaurants and shopping.
Is it worth staying near the Night Bazaar?
Yes, if evening markets, restaurants and shopping matter to you. We stayed in the Chang Khlan area and enjoyed the location, but we would not choose a hotel just because it is close to the market.
Can you get around Chiang Mai on foot?
Inside the Old City and in some neighbourhoods you can walk to many places. Getting between different areas of the city may require transport.
Where should you stay in Chiang Mai if you love cafes?
Look at Nimman, which is associated with modern cafes and restaurants. You can also find lovely cafes among the lanes of the Old City.
Is Astra Sky River in the Old City?
No. The Astra Sky River complex is in the Chang Khlan area, east of the Old City. We stayed there in January 2025 and were very happy with both the place and the area.
How many nights should you give Chiang Mai?
For first-time visitors we would consider at least three full days. If you want to add workshops, nature trips, food or more day trips, you can give it longer.
Our bottom line
Chiang Mai is a city that is fun to discover through its streets, cafes, restaurants and markets, so the area you stay in has a big effect on the character of your holiday.
We stayed at Astra Sky River in the Chang Khlan area and really enjoyed both the place and the location. But if we were planning a visit focused mainly on temples and walking the lanes, we would look at the Old City first.
Nimman can suit anyone who prefers a modern atmosphere and cafes, and the river area anyone looking for a more relaxed hotel.
Before booking, we would first choose the neighbourhood that suits our travel plans, and then compare the places to stay within it.