At Chiang Mai Hotel

At Chiang Mai Hotel is a straightforward, good-value base on Rajvithi Road in the old city. Expedia lists an outdoor pool, free in-room Wi-Fi, free self parking, an on-site restaurant, a coffee shop, a gym, a garden and a terrace. Rooms range from Superior and Deluxe rooms to Premium rooms and Royal Family rooms that sleep up to four. Guests rate it highly, with an Excellent score from over two hundred reviews. It will not give you the design of a boutique hotel, but it gives you comfort, space and facilities at a fair price, which makes it a sensible choice for families, groups and independent travellers who plan to spend their days out.

Location and getting around: the hotel is in the Sri Phum area of the old city. Expedia lists the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center and the Three Kings Monument as about three minutes on foot, Wat Chiang Man as about seven, Wat Chedi Luang as about nine and Wat Phra Singh as about twelve. The airport is about ten minutes by car and the railway station about twelve. Songthaews, tuk-tuks and ride-hailing cars are easy to find nearby.

Rooms and stay: rooms are spacious by old-city standards, with the larger Premium and Royal Family categories suiting families of three or four. Breakfast is not listed as a standard property amenity on Expedia, so check your rate. The cafe and restaurant on site are handy for a quick meal, and the pool is welcome after a hot day of temples. There is a gym and a garden terrace.

Good to know: this is a mid-priced choice, usually the most affordable of the five hotels here, with rates that rise around the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festival in late November. Free parking helps if you rent a car for Doi Inthanon or Chiang Rai, though most visitors use tours instead. If you want a more characterful stay, consider U Chiang Mai or Rachamankha; if you want value, space and a pool in the old city, this hotel does the job well.