The Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel is a charming, intimate resort, housed in an exquisitely designed northern Thai and colonial-style home. The 19 stunning rooms have period furniture, balconies, and free Wi-Fi and minibar items, and property features include a small pool, spa, and restaurant (breakfast is free and can be enjoyed on the veranda or by the pool). The gorgeous building occupies a space near the Ping River, well out of the tourist noise and chaos of the central city, but it's only a 15-minute stroll to the Night Bazaar downtown; guests can take trips around the city in the hotel's classic Mercedes. 

The Kantary Hills is a member of the boutique Kantary Collection of Hotels and Residences, and this branch delivers on brand expectations as well as the others, and it's a great value for size and quality. It's located in the uber-trendy and happening Nimmanheiminda Road area of Chiang Mai, and the streets here are lined with fashionable cafes and popular dining and drinking spots. The kitchenette-equipped rooms here are extremely large, more suitable to apartment living, as the hotel is also a long-term residence resort. They are contemporary and far bigger than anything found downtown for this price. While the facilities are excellent, you do sacrifice tourist location by staying here. The old city is not within walking distance and the traffic in this part of town is the worst in Chiang Mai.

The 22-room Thannatee Boutique Hotel is a small, mid-range property located just outside of the moat leading into Chiang Mai's historic old city. Rooms are small, but stylish, done up in northern Thai Lanna style and elegantly decorated with antiques and fine wood furniture, plus they have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add whirlpool tubs. The hotel has a small swimming pool, an atmospheric restaurant serving northern Thai cuisine, and a library with computers for guests to use. Other perks include free shuttles to tourist sights, free airport transfers, free breakfasts with buffet and a la carte options, and free Wi-Fi.

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 facilities, and has comparable rates to the nearby competition. However, some rooms are small and the area sees a lot of traffic.

99 The Gallery Hotel is mid-range property with 53 rooms set in the heart of the historic old town. The property, which has an artsy vibe resembling a gallery, is right around the corner from Wat Pra Singh temple and many attractions. The rooms here are pretty small, but do have free Wi-Fi and inclusive breakfast, and are decorated with contemporary Lanna Thai decor. This is a small property, so besides the rooms there are just a small swimming pool, terrace, and restaurant serving only breakfast. However, there are plenty of restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, and compared to similar properties, the price is lower than most, making this a good choice for an old city stay.

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 Sakorn Residence is a pleasant mid-range hotel located in a quiet area on the east side of the Ping River, about a 20-minute walk from downtown. The rooms here are simple but spacious, and are outfitted with amenities suited to long term guests, including kitchenettes with large refrigerators in some. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and gym, as well as a cozy restaurant and colorful little coffee shop. Overall, it's a great value, certainly cheaper than many of the competing properties and breakfast is free. 

The mid-range Imperial Mae Ping is one Chiang Mai's largest hotels, located in an imposing grand building that sits on a quiet street in the heart of downtown. It offers good value in this part of town, and has plenty of features on the premises, including Japanese and Chinese restaurants, two swimming pools, and large conference and meeting facilities. The rooms here, however, are not overly special; they are small and some are a bit dated, as this is one of the city's older hotels. You'll get the basics here, such as free Wi-Fi and free coffee/tea making facilities, and can sprawl out at the pool in a good location, but if you want something a bit more characterful and modern, you'd be best to try elsewhere.

BaanBooLoo is certainly unique in Chiang Mai. This charming and rustic guesthouse, hidden away behind a temple in the heart of the old city, is part of a family home, and the amiable owners strive to recreate the traditional Thai guesthouse feel of old, with plenty of local charm. The six rooms are basic for a boutique hotel, and have open-air or tree-house style, but do provide nice touches like large outdoor bathtubs and plenty of mosquito netting. There is no proper restaurant, but guests are always invited to cook and eat with the family to experience true Thai hospitality. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

The 3 Sis is a small two-and-a-half pearl hotel located in the heart of historical old town Chiang Mai. It's across the street from Wat Chedi Luang and right by the Sunday Night Walking Street Market. The rooms here are small and fairly basic, and set in two separate wings. Each room comes standard with a small flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridge, plus free breakfast. The hotel has a lovely lobby that is spacious and filled with art, comfy sofas, a carp pond, and tourist brochures and magazines. A small cafe serves a la carte lunch and dinner, but there are no other facilities like a gym or a pool. You don't get many extras here, but the prices are decent compared to similar properties in the neighborhood.

The We Valley Boutique is a newer budget hotel in the outskirts of Chiang Mai, set in front of a mountainous backdrop. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. While the hotel is reasonably priced, its location is not convenient for sightseeing in the old city. The hotel does provide free bicycles and free transport into town a few times a day. Breakfast is included, but there's no on-site restaurant and it's in a location that lacks dining options. 

The 54-room Nordwind Hotel is a sharp little budget property that's a 10-minute walk outside of the old city. Rooms are clean and have lovely contemporary bathrooms with rainfall showers plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, though guests complain of noise issues due to thin walls. Breakfast is included in rates, though is underwhelming. Bicycles are available for rent and Wi-Fi is free, but the signal isn't always the strongest. While the hotel falls in the budget category, it is still more expensive than some guesthouses that are in the old city.

The 25-room Banilah is a small, budget backpacker guesthouse located in a quiet, non-touristy part of Chiang Mai. It is near local markets and cheap restaurants and offers good value for those looking to save their baht. The rooms here are quite basic, just Single, Double, and Twin rooms that access their bathroom out on the balcony. Rooms have small TVs, free Wi-Fi, and little else, and the Twin and Double rooms come with a choice of fan or air-conditioning, while the Single rooms are fan only. The hotel has no facilities other than its cute Cat Cafe downstairs, where the owners 11 cats have the run of things, and there are a couple of computers for public use. The guesthouse also has free bicycles. For those looking for a budget guesthouse in a quiet neighborhood, this is a solid choice, although there are smarter looking guesthouses around for the same price.

Golden Bell Hotel is a small two-and-a-half-pearl hotel with just 30 rooms located on a quiet dead-end street just outside Chiang Mai's historic old city. Rooms here are spacious and feature subtle local touches and lots of natural light, but the furniture is a bit worn in some. Hotel features include a small swimming pool that gets sun for much of the day, a whirlpool tub, and a restaurant serving a free breakfast buffet plus both Thai and Western dishes for lunch. 

The Funky Monkey is a small, family-run guesthouse located on the east side of the moat that surrounds the historical old city area of Chiang Mai. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops, and is quite centrally located for all of Chiang Mai's attractions. The budget guesthouse only has three rooms, all of which have mini-fridges/freezers and lots of space, though not much in the way of decor. There is a small restaurant that serves breakfast and Thai food throughout the day. The owners are an absolute wealth of information on Chiang Mai, and give some of the most unbiased and informative tips on touring to be found. It's a simple guesthouse with few extras, but highly worth its rock-bottom price, as its superb hospitality far exceeds any nearby competitors.

The 15-room Vanilla Place Guest House is a bright budget option in the center of Chiang Mai, just a five-minute walk from the city's main Night Market. Comfy, essentials-only rooms have en-suite bathrooms plus air-conditioning, but certain rooms lack windows. A light continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and the owner has an abundance of excellent local knowledge and is a guest favorite.

ZZ House is a charming budget guesthouse located just east of the Ping River in a small alleyway. There are only 12 rooms here, half of which have air-conditioning, and half of which only have fans. Despite being basic, rooms are bright, and come with desks and mini-fridges with minibar items. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but there aren't many other features. This is popular spot with the backpacker set, but it's a long 20-minute walk to the gate of the old city. 

Na Inn is a tiny budget hotel with just 10 rooms located in the eastern part of Chiang Mai's historic old city. It's a great base from which to explore the famed temples, plus there are lots of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby. The hotel itself is quite plain, but it offers a good value with its central location. Rooms are large and mostly clean, though worn, and have amenities like air-conditioning, refrigerators, and old tube TVs. Wi-Fi is free, as is a simple breakfast -- though it's basically just toast and coffee -- plus bikes are available for rent.

The budget, 50-room Varada Place is in Chang Phueak, just a 10-minute walk from the walls of Chiang Mai's iconic Old CIty. Air-conditioned, pleasant rooms are basic and impeccably clean, with balconies and en-suite bathrooms; however, some rooms suffer traffic noise. Wi-Fi is free and the friendly owner has a wealth of local knowledge (a highlight for many guests), but no breakfasts are served. There are plenty of trendy restaurants and street food on Nimmanheiman Road, also just 10 minutes away on foot.