Holiday Cottage Hotel Chiang Mai

I still think about the BBQ pork buns at breakfast, and the coffee was great too. We had a magical stay in the honeymoon suite, which was comfortable, and the pool was gorgeous. The staff were amazing and the location was easy to get around on foot. We booked a driver for the day to visit Sticky falls and another waterfall. Tony was wonderfully helpful: he added a temple stop since we had time, found us an atm and a 7-11 when we needed them, packed a cooler of drinks for the day, and recommended and booked a table at a very cool farm to table restaurant on the way. You can hear roosters early and dogs late, but I sleep with ear plugs and wake before the roosters anyway. I don’t often return to places, but I would come back here!

The reception team’s incredible service is what makes this feel like it just about earns a five-star rating. The hotel has a lot going for it: it’s clean, the pool is lovely, the gym works for basic maintenance, and they provide towels and free water bottles. I didn’t get to try the spa because it was fully booked when I walked in. Some rooms are a little dark, but the finish is high quality, everything’s spotless, and the bed was extremely comfortable. A few things could be better. The rooms could have a wider range of snacks, though being without them probably helped my diet. I wasn’t impressed by the bath bombs, and there were no pens in the room, just a thick pencil. Reception said they don’t provide pens. The restaurant food was average, and breakfast didn’t look especially appealing. I expected a bit more from a five-star place, even though it still does the job. The location is amazing, and the staff are excellent. I’d definitely come back to Chiang Mai and stay here again.

The location was the main drawback for us. The hotel sits inside the old city, but it’s a bit removed from the busy spots, so we used taxis and Grab. The gym was also a stretch to call a gym. We didn’t try the pool, though the water looked clean and clear. Inside, the rooms are a good size and finished with quality materials. I liked the soft-close cabinets and having both a fridge and freezer. The lighting is very cozy and intimate, so don’t expect a bright room. Unfortunately, mosquitoes got us badly, and we couldn’t figure out how they got in since we didn’t open any windows or doors. Service was a real highlight. Chang, our butler, was patient and helpful, and Tony was great on the half-day private drive, sharing bits about the city along the way. He even helped us order takeaway from a restaurant that was out of the way, which added time to our itinerary but was a small gesture that meant a lot. They took our luggage up as soon as we arrived, too. The lobby drinks and snacks were nice to have. At night the hotel looks lovely from outside with its lighting. It was very quiet, apart from morning birds, occasional barking dogs, and some traffic. It’s a beautiful property, and I really hope the business does well.

Breakfast was a treat, with made-to-order dishes and a cappuccino offered by the barista when things were quiet. The pool is on the small side, but the loungers are comfortable. For sun, it’s best to get out there before lunch. I didn’t try the gym. Our room felt calm and relaxing, with a spacious, clean, modern design. They also leave complimentary soft drinks, biscuits, and little sandwiches at lunchtime, which was a lovely surprise. The hotel is in the walled city near its edge. It’s fairly peaceful there, though you may have an extra 5-10 minutes of walking to reach things. No big deal. I’d happily recommend it.