According to one source, Chiang Mai has seen an explosion of over 300 new hotels/hostels/homestays and AIrbnb locations this past year. Lest you get overwhelmed, here are three great places to lay your hat.
Kaomai Lanna Resort
Who would have thought that a tobacco factory could turn into a vintage resort? And to brag a little further they just recently won the Chiang Mai Design Award for Architecture and Interior Design. Kao Mai Lanna has been featured in these pages many times over the years as a charming green resort just out of the city centre. We were therefore chuffed to pieces to discover its revamp and redesign which sees the 60 year old tobacco barns lovingly restored and renovated into a lush resort while all of its giant trees were preserved respected. Their care for the environment and history extends to the healthy food on offer using home-grown ingredients, and a programme that introduces the many unknown local points of interest, connecting the community and the resort’s guests. If you fancy a relaxing day out, pop into the hotel’s Café Rong Bom which serves homemade pastries, food and juice made from local fruits.
Café open 9am – 6pm / Restaurant 7am – 9.30pm
Moo 6 Chiang Mai-Hot Road, Ban Klang, San Pa Tong
www.kaomailannd.com
053 481 201
Trace Hotelistro
Tucked away behind the busy one-way Tha Pae Road, in a seemingly unfinished venue, up on the second floor of a brick building, is located this charming hostel, another winner of the Chiang Mai Design Award for Architecture and Interior Design. Not easy to find, think of it as an adventure, as you navigate Tha Pae, the small entrance to Tha Pae East, and then climb some stairs to discover this hidden gem. The 100 year old building has a rich history and its owner who is also a talented interior designer has used as many original materials from the old house as possible, trying to improve the condition while making sure to change as little as possible. The walls are all original century-old bricks as well as having a teak wooden floor that brings out the unique and charming ambience quite unlike anywhere else.
Open 8am – 6pm
92-94 Tha Pae Road, Chang Moi
tracehotelthai@gmail.com
061 798 4449
Likoffee Hostel
Anyone who is into coffee will most probably have heard of Likoffee, at locally sourced coffee shop serving a number of great beverages and organic breads that has been certified by the French Organics Certificate Ecocert. Now they have expanded and have opened up their own hostel too, tucked away in a small Nimmanhaemin soi which is a great place for coffee lovers looking for a night in Thailand’s coffee capital. perfect for coffee lovers looking to stay in town. The hostel has two rooms of four beds that can be shared or booked as a whole for families. The décor is modern, but organic in its colour scheme, copying textures, patterns and hues from traditional Lanna art and design. Beds start at 350 baht which includes an organic breakfast and one of their freshly made coffees. The bathrooms are shared but they do have bathtubs that you are allowed to wallow in if you desire.
Café open 8am – 8pm
36 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11
Facebook: likoffee
087 178 9499