Nakaraj Princess Chiang Rai Walking Street

Nakaraj Princess Chiang Rai Walking Street is a central hotel set on Sri Kerd Street, a short way from the heart of the city, and it is notable for the size of its rooms. Where many budget and mid-range hotels offer compact doubles, this one has four room types, each generous: a Deluxe Double Room, a Deluxe Twin Room, a Deluxe Suite and a Family Suite that sleeps four. Space matters on a trip of several nights, and the larger rooms are a good fit for families and for anyone who likes room to spread out. The location is made for walking. The night bazaar is about five minutes on foot, the 75th Anniversary Flag and Lamp Park about the same, the King Meng Rai monument seven, and the clock tower and the Saturday Walking Street Market about ten. In the evening you can wander to the bazaar for street food, browse the stalls and be back in your room in minutes, which is a real advantage for travellers without a car.

Facilities are straightforward. Parking is included, free Wi-Fi is provided, rooms are air-conditioned, and there is a terrace, a garden, laundry and dry cleaning, luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk. A small meeting room is available for business guests. Breakfast is cooked to order and charged separately, and a round-trip airport shuttle can be arranged for a per-person fee. The airport is about sixteen minutes away by car, so arrivals and departures are easy.

The hotel suits families, groups of friends and independent travellers who plan to spend most of their time out. It does not have a pool or a spa, so if you want a resort-style stay with long afternoons by the water, look at the riverside hotels instead. If you want a comfortable, spacious room close to the markets and a good price per square metre, it is a smart choice. Guest scores for service and cleanliness have been strong.

Use it as a base for the area's best-known sights. Tour operators collect from central hotels for the White Temple, the Blue Temple, the Black House, Singha Park and the Golden Triangle, and the front desk can help you book a driver for the day. Start early to beat the heat, return for a rest in the afternoon and then head to the bazaar once the temperature drops. On Saturday evenings the Walking Street Market fills the nearby roads, so time your return accordingly.

The cool season from November to February is the best and busiest period, and rooms fill around Christmas and New Year, so book ahead. The hot months can be warm and occasionally smoky, and the rainy season brings green hills and lower rates. Some rates offer free cancellation, so look for those if your plans are not fixed. Read recent guest comments and confirm what your rate includes when you book.