Varada Place At Huay Keaw By Hjz

After trying at least three other Chiang Mai hotels, this one was best for comfort, quiet, and value. The owner is kind, there are lots of cats, and the hot water is great. It's a little outside the old town, but you can walk to both the old town and Nimman, and there are good spots nearby, including the famous Khao Soi Maesai. A few things weren't ideal for me: the electricity depends on the room key, so nothing can charge while you're out; the overhead lights are harsh; and the pillows felt a bit too hard and big.

The place has an old-school feel, like the mountain hotels and hostels you find in many parts of the world. It’s a little rustic, but the shared spaces and mix of travelers and digital nomads give it some charm. There’s free coffee in the morning, and people stick to the rules, so it works well for a few days or a longer stay. The many room locks and keys feel dated, though maybe that helps keep the price down.

We felt right at home here and have very fond memories of our stay. If we come back to Chiang Mai, we’d choose this hotel again. The rooms were spacious, clean, and well cared for, and it was quiet throughout the day. The pub across the street was already closed, and the balcony had double doors. We also felt secure: rooms have safes, visitors aren’t allowed in, and the hotel door locks after 10 PM. Guests get keys for coming back later. The lobby has seating, a restroom, books to read, and some adorable cats 🐱 The staff were warm and helpful. When the water heater stopped working, a technician fixed it within five minutes that same day. The owner is lovely and speaks good English. She patiently answered our many questions about the hotel, food, and culture, and showed us how to use the laundry room. The location made getting around easy. It’s a five-minute walk from the main road, where you can catch a tuk tuk or red taxi, and there’s a 7-Eleven and a good car rental company nearby. The Old Town is close, while being just outside it made driving out of Chiang Mai for excursions convenient. There’s a self-service laundry with dryers next door, and detergent is available at reception. The street also has a pharmacy, car and scooter rentals, an ATM, and good, inexpensive restaurants. Kop khun krap 🙏🙏 We hope to see you again soon!

The rooms are clean and good value, and getting in feels very secure since you need several keys plus a key card. My in-room safe was defective, but after I mentioned it, they replaced it right away. Great service. Varada really looks after her guests, and the owner is awesome. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, along with good Motorbike rentals!