The Star Hill

I'm a no-frills guy, and for the price and value I can't complain. The hotel is cheap, dated, and basic, but does the job if you're out exploring. There's an outdoor swimming pool, which is a nice bonus. I'd suggest booking on the back side, on the 4th floor or above, for mountain views and sunsets. It's near the base of the mountains, with tucked-away places to eat and cafes within walking distance. Old Chiang Mai is about a 10-minute Bolt ride, around 100 bht away.

The room is spacious, comfortable, and generally clean, but housekeeping needed reminders to remove hair from the shower and replace the floor mat. The walls are very thin and not soundproof, and noise from next door woke me one night. The hotel is far from many things. There is a restaurant beside it, plus a spa and manicure/pedicure place. A one-hour foot or traditional Thai massage costs 490 bhats. The nearest 7-Eleven with an ATM is 400 m away. Beyond that, there aren't other facilities such as laundries.

The place is a bit run-down and doesn't look great, though it was maintained well enough and clean enough. It's best suited to people with a car or motorcycle, not visitors who plan to walk or take buses. There's an all-day restaurant, coffeeshop, and bar attached, which could save business travelers time after work. There is a lot of parking, including shaded spots. Rooms are large, with a big fridge and wardrobe in a condominium-style setup, and having a pool at this price is great. I paid around 600-900THBs when I stayed in 2025. The location seems better than you'd expect, near a tourist destination to the west.

If you get a mountain-facing room, the view is lovely, and the rooms are spacious and clean. The building is old and hasn't been maintained well, though. The room and especially the balcony need paint and repairs, and some electrical sockets are broken. Even so, I think the mountain view makes it worth it.