Out in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has hundreds of sleeping options from some of the world’s best hotels, to trendy boutique hotel properties, to beautiful gay guesthouses, to serviced apartments, to countryside retreats, to basic bed-and-breakfast accommodations. Whatever your budget and whatever type of vacation accommodation you are seeking, Chiang Mai is sure to have it.

We don’t have the space the list the hundreds of sleeping options available to you in Chiang Mai, so we have chosen to list some of the favorites of gay travelers to Chiang Mai, especially the ones that are gay-owned or very close to the gay nightlife. For more options, check out some of the links we offer to other destination guides for Chiang Mai.

A word about the layout of Chiang Mai
There are four major geographical areas within the Chiang Mai metro region where most of our recommendations are located.

The gay entertainment area is outside the old city walls near Huay Kaew Road which leads toward Doi Suthep, the mountain that presides over the city. The major go-go bars and many gay hotels, guesthouses, massage shops, and saunas are located in this area. It is also home to many major attractions and shopping options. The gay venues in this area are a bit spread out and are not concentrated on one soi as in Thailand’s other major tourist cities although several of the bars and sleeping accommodations are within walking distance of one another.
The old city is located within the crumbling city walls, and surrounded on all four sides by the centuries-old moat, and this area is steeped in history and is home to many temples, ancient winding streets, and other places of interest.
Riverside is on the opposite side of the old city from the major gay area and is situated around the Ping River. The famous Chiang Mai night market and two groupings of gay beer bars are in this locale, and the attractions in this district are within easy walking distance from most hotels. This area also probably offers the biggest concentration of transportation options.
The Mae Rim Valley is outside Chiang Mai proper and offers stunning and tranquil nature settings. Chiang Mai’s best resort hotels and luxury spas can be found here, and it is easy to find transportation options for the 20 minute ride to and from the city center and gay entertainment options.

The best option really depends upon the needs and tastes of individual travelers. No matter where you stay, no-hassle transportation options such as meter taxis, tuk-tuks, and songthaews are easy to find in Chiang Mai (although taxis are somewhat new to the city and not as easily flagged down as in Bangkok).

Gay Hotels and Guesthouses
Chiang Mai has a number of gay hotels and guest houses that will fit any budget, and they are located in all parts of the city.

Lavender Lanna Hotel
This 110-room, ten-storey hotel is Asia’s largest gay-owned and operated hotel, and every gay traveler to Chiang Mai will find themselves spending some time in one of the hotel’s many outlets catering to gays. It is in one of the best locations in Chiang Mai at a corner of the old city moat and walls, next to Ram One, the largest and best hospital complex in Northern Thailand, and around the corner form one of Chiang Mai’s biggest shopping malls. The hotel is a five-minute taxi ride from the gay venues in the Chang Puak area and offers free shuttles nightly to all the gay venues.

The hotel offers nice rooms at a value price with all the standard hotel amenities including mini bar and satellite TV. What makes this property stand out with gay travelers is the beautiful hotel staff hired with gay clientele in mind and the many gay-themed outlets including:

• a swimming pool complex with many gorgeous pool attendants and which includes a pool bar, a large whirlpool tub on a balcony overlooking Chiang Mai, a steam room, poolside massage and manicures and pedicures, and food service.
• Power Boys Chiang Mai, which is Thailand’s largest gay show bar and which features three shows nightly, a nightly male revue with over fifty male dancers, a beautiful Boyz Room, and a large patio next to a waterfall.
• a 24-hour lobby restaurant, a coffee cart and bakery, and two outside patio decks with the lobby bar serving cocktails and cigars.
• Lavender Sky which is a beautiful rooftop restaurant and lounge serving food from the outdoor kitchen with some of the most incredible views in Chiang Mai.
• a salon staffed by gay men that offers haircuts and coloring, shaves, manicures and pedicures, and discreet body hair removal
• and a spa and massage that includes spa treatments and massage from a large selection of male masseurs that can be done in the guest’s room, in the VIP treatment rooms, or as an out call.

The Lavender Lanna Hotel is fast becoming Gay Central in Chiang Mai and offers a wonderful array of activities specifically for gay men.

Phone: (0) 5321-1003 Fax: (0) 5321- 3899
Website: http://www.lavenderlannahotel.com
Email: reservations@lavenderlannahotel.com

PJ’s Place Guesthouse
This is a beautiful and tranquil guesthouse located near many of the city’s gay entertainment establishments. The owners offer bungalow-style rooms and apartments with all the in-room amenities of a first-class hotel. They also offer day tours and are very knowledgeable about Chiang Mai’s gay scene. They have a lovely little garden and a small dining room where they serve cooked-to-order breakfasts as part of the room price. House of Male Sauna is a short walk away. This is one of our favorite places to stay in Chiang Mai.

19 Soi Plubplueng, Huay Kaew Road
Phone: (0) 5340 - 4894 Fax: (0) 5340 - 4272
Website: http://pjs-place.com
Email: enquiries@pjs-place.com

Lotus Hotel
This is the grand dame of Chiang Mai’s gay sleeping establishments, and is a pleasant hotel within an easy walk of Chiang Mai’s major gay go-go bars and across the street from Adam’s Apple and Metro Bar. They offer a number of room styles from singles to studios and have a cozy restaurant. Their Garden Bar is a favorite with local gay Thais and expats and is a nice place to start an evening of bar hopping. This is an excellent place to stay if you want to concentrate on the gay nightlife in Chiang Mai.

2/25 Soi Wiangbua, Chotana Rd, Chang Puak
Phone: (0) 5321 - 5376 Fax: (0) 5322 - 1340
Website: http://www.lotus-hotel.com
Email: lotus@loxinfo.co.th

Santitham Guesthouse
This is another option for those wanting to walk to the gay go-go bars. The owners, offer seven rooms in a beautiful Thai-style home. This is like a quiet home stay with old friends, and the price can’t be beat.

61 Santitham Road
Phone: (0) 53 40 - 6449
Website: http://www.santitham.com
Email: info@santitham.com

Seven Suns Guesthouse
This is an Aussie-owned guesthouse inside the old city walls. It has newly-refurbished theme rooms (Hello Kitty, Hats of Asia, Bling-Bling) at good prices and has a good restaurant and tour center. This is a traditional guest house and a favorite of the backpacker set.

155 Rajamankha Rd
Phone: 0) 5381 - 4325
Website: http://www.sevensuns.net/
Email: bookings@sevensuns.net

Souvenir Guesthouse
This small but charming gay owned guesthouse is near the Night Bazaar and offers budget rooms. They have a restaurant and tour counter and have been listed in the Lonely Planet Guide. If you want an unbeatable price near the major tourist areas, then this is a good choice.

Souvenir Bead & Breakfast
26 Kampaengdin Rd Soi 3
Phone: (0) 5320 - 6165
Website: http://www.souvenir-guesthouse.com/
Email: souvenir@souvenir-guesthouse.com

Soho Bar Suite
The Soho Bar offers a very nice suite above their bar. The bar itself is an intimate upscale bar and is a quieter alternative to the go-go bars and beer bars. The location is very central to the major gay nightclubs and the shopping and venues in the North of the city. This is a great option for someone wanting an upscale, private suite when visiting Chiang Mai.

20/3 Huay Kaew Road
Phone: (0) 86743 - 8202
Website: www.sohochiangmai.com
Email: sohobar50300@yahoo.co.uk

Ricefield House
This is a small, luxury guesthouse in the Mae Rim valley. The rooms are furnished with antiques, there is a pool for relaxing, and even a friendly labrador retriever. It is a great place to unwind or to use as a base to explore the beautiful nature around Chiang Mai. The price includes breakfast, afternoon tea, and airport transfers, and they offer a three-course Thai or Western dinner each night for an additional fee. You can even reserve the entire house for a special retreat with your partner or for a group. It is about twenty minutes from the city and transportation can be arranged with the owners, Don and Ken.

Phone: (0) 5386 - 5606 Fax: (0) 5386 - 5606
Website: http://www.ricefield-house.com
Email: don-and-ken@ricefield-house.com

Luxury Resorts
If you want to indulge in sheer luxury in the midst of spectacular natural surroundings, then Chiang Mai offers two of the best luxury resort hotels in the entire world. These are both located outside of town in a world to themselves and both are very expensive. However, if you can afford to splurge, and if you are spending a week or more in Chiang Mai, then we highly recommend staying at least two or three nights at one of these gorgeous properties.

Four Seasons Chiang Mai
This is consistently rated as one of the top five hotels in the world. Set in the midst of a working rice farm and using architecture that invokes the best Thai traditions, this small hotel and resort is simply breathtaking. The rooms are actually gorgeous pavilions each with private Thai salas. The hotel also offers what is considered by many to be the world’s finest spa, Thailand’s best cooking school, a world-renowned restaurant, the recreation of a Thai village, and superb pools and workout facilities. If you want the very best hotel experience Thailand has to offer, then the Four Seasons is your place.

If nothing else, at least venture to the hotel during your Chiang Mai stay for a treatment in its top-ranked spa or for dinner at the wonderfully romantic Terrances restaurant. Also, if you are looking for Thai cooking lessons as part of your vacation experience, the hotel’s beautifully appointed cooking school offers lessons from a half day to an entire week.

Phone: (0) 5329 - 8181 Fax: (0) 5329 - 8190
Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim,
Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi
Like the Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental is one of the world’s top luxury hotel chains, and the Dhara Devi may be its crown jewel. This is another exquisite luxury resort set in beautiful natural surroundings. The Dhara Devi is larger than the Four Seasons and is a little closer into the city. The hotel offers spacious deluxe villas (many with their own pool) and colonial suites with all the amenities and services expected in a five-star resort.

During you time in Chiang Mai, you should at least visit the Dhara Devi for its exceptional Dim Sum lunch in the beautiful Fujian Chinese restaurant set in a mock up Asian market or for what might be Chiang Mai’s best dining experience in the French-themed Farang Ses restaurant. They also have a fantastic world-class spa.

Phone: (0) 5388 - 8888
51/4 Chiang Mai - Sankampaeng Road
Moo 1 T. Tasala A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

Riverside
You really can’t get more central than the hotels listed here.

Chedi Chiang Mai
This is another luxury hotel, and was once the British Embassy, and is located on the banks of the Ping River and is within a short walking distance of the night market and two groupings of gay beer bars. The grounds, facilities, and rooms are beautiful with a modern Asian motif. There is also a first-class spa. Be sure to at least try the ultra-hip Terrances Bar and Lounge with its cozy bed sofas and premium wine, martini, and cigar menu. It also offers a beautiful riverside restaurant.

Phone: (0) 5325 - 3333
123 Charoenprathet Road,
T.Changkran Muang Chiang Mai

D2
This is the new boutique offering of the famous Dusit hotel group, and this suave and super-cool hotel is already a favorite of the gay set. Located a few steps from the gay beer bars and the Night Bazaar, this hotel offers very stylish rooms and a great restaurant and uber-lounge where the city’s Hi-So crowd meet and mingle. The hotel offers quirky personal touches such as a singing reception show and an in-room gift box where they stash little presents for you. If you want great location and hipster style, then this is your hotel.

Phone: (0) 5399 - 9999, Fax: (0) 5399 - 9900
100 chang klan road, T. chang klan, A. muang,
Chiang Mai 50100
Website: http://www.d2hotel.com

Rati Lanna
Located directly on the river and boasting its own pier and boat trips, this is a very nice, many of the Thai Royal Family stay here.

Phone: (0) 5399 - 9333 Fax: (0) 5399 - 9332
33 Changklan Road, Muang,
Chiang Mai Thailand 50100
Website:http://www.ratilannachiangmai.com

info@outinchiangmai.com