One of the top stays in Chiang Mai, the Le Meridien is a chic and urban hotel catering to business and leisure travelers. The 338-room hotel has chic, zen-like rooms in eight categories; a location in the heart of downtown; and superb features, including a business center, lots of meeting space, a modern fitness center, an elegant Italian restaurant, and a cocktail bar. The hotel is one of the tallest in the city, and has outstanding views of Doi Suthep mountain from its beautiful rooftop pool (not to mention some of the rooms). The only drawbacks here come from outside of the hotel, as there is plenty of traffic in the area, and the neighborhood turns a tad seedy at night.

Occupying prime real estate in central Chiang Mai, the Duangtawan Hotel is aimed squarely at the tour group and corporate travel market, and its meeting and conference facilities are among the largest in Chiang Mai. It's close to the airport, and within easy access of the Night Bazaar. Its 512 rooms make it one of the biggest hotels in the city; rooms look a bit worn and dim, but they a great value for the category in this part of town. The facilities are abundant, ranging from a large outdoor pool to a huge fitness center and spa, but the fitness center is open to the public and can be crowded. There's also an excellent choice of restaurants and bars on-site, with cuisine ranging from Chinese to Italian.

There is always plenty going on at the 375-room Empress Hotel, where business travelers and locals constantly cycle through the giant ballroom and extensive conference facilities. The upper-middle-range hotel is located just south of downtown in a quiet area, but one with easy access to local attractions. The rooms have been recently renovated and are in good shape, and offer flat-screen TVs and views out over Chiang Mai. Standard Superior rooms don't come with many extras, but other categories include safes, robes and slippers, and electric kettles. The swimming pool is one of the largest in the city and the small gym has a sauna. There's also a Thai restaurant and a Chinese restaurant on-site. Although it's an older hotel, recent renovations and reasonable prices make it a good choice for those wanting to stay in a larger property. Note that Wi-Fi is free only for guests who book directly with the hotel. 

The Royal Princess Chiang Mai is a very large hotel located in the heart of downtown Chiang Mai, right near the Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market. It has almost 200 rooms, all of which feature flat-screen TVs, safes, electric hot water kettles, and free breakfast and Wi-Fi. The hotel has large conference facilities, a decent-sized swimming pool, a small gym, and a good Chinese/Thai restaurant that features dim sum lunch buffets. The hotel is popular with business travelers for its convenient location and conference facilities (several meeting rooms and a small ballroom), and has comparable rates to the nearby competition. However, some rooms are small and the area sees a lot of traffic.

Right next to trendy Nimmanhaemin Road, Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai is a stylish, modern hotel with hip interiors and a young business-ready vibe that's a 10-minute ride from the old city. The 128 stylish rooms are bright and get plenty of natural light, though the style is simple. All have furnished balconies and lovely bathrooms with contemporary fixtures. Many have fully equipped kitchens, and apartment-style units with separate bedrooms are available. Features include a covered swimming pool with a whirlpool, a fitness center with a steam room and a sauna, extensive meeting spaces, an all-day restaurant, T Station, built to resemble a 1920's American railway station, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. 

On the northern end of town, the mid-range Mercure Chiang Mai features modern rooms with flat-screen TVs, writing desks, and Thai decor features. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and there's a decent-size pool with a bar, a restaurant, a nighttime beer terrace, and excellent conference facilities. Rates are reasonable, but the hotel is removed from the tourist areas, and getting to town takes at least 10 minutes by taxi. 

The upper-middle-range, 60-room Grand Napat is in the residential Chang Phueak neighborhood of Chiang Mai, a five-minute drive from the historic Old City. Modern serviced apartments all have balconies and kitchenettes, and some have lovely mountain views, though we did notice a lingering smoky odor when we visited. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and airport transportation are free, and there is an on-site Thai restaurant plus a marvelous outdoor pool. Free weights and cardio and weight machines are available in the fitness center, while computers are provided in the business center and meeting and conference space is available. 

Situated on the east side of the Ping River, a 10-minute walk from downtown Chiang Mai, RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort is an upscale 35-room boutique resort with a one-of-a-kind spa and a traditional Thai wood house for conferences  Stylish rooms have huge balconies and some have direct pool access. The hotel's main attraction is its spa, which comes with an onsen-style hot spring pool, and there's also free property-wide Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a high-end restaurant, Deck 1. A library full of books also has a computer for guest use along with a giant flat-screen TV, games, and lots of comfy chairs and polished woodwork.