Chiang Mai Deals
Chiang Mai is Thailand with the volume turned down. The old Lanna capital sits in a bowl of green mountains 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, its moated Old City packed with more than 30 working temples, and the pace is closer to a market town than a metropolis — which is exactly why people who "did" Bangkok years ago keep coming back here.
Where you base yourself sets the tone. The Old City puts teak-and-brick boutique hotels within walking distance of Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and the Sunday Walking Street. The Ping riverside is where the grand resorts spread out across lawns and lotus ponds, with longtail boats gliding past the breakfast terrace. Nimman is the creative quarter — cafés, galleries and design hotels — while the foothills toward Mae Rim hide the Lanna-style villa retreats with rice paddies for a view.
The city rewards mornings and evenings. Watch the sunrise from Doi Suthep's golden chedi above the clouds, spend a morning at an ethical elephant sanctuary in the Mae Taeng valley, take a cooking class in a farm kitchen, and finish at the Night Bazaar or a khao soi stall with the locals. Day trips reach Doi Inthanon's cloud forest — Thailand's highest peak — and the Sticky Waterfalls, and Chiang Rai's White Temple is a long but worthwhile run north.
November to February is the cool season and Chiang Mai's absolute prime: crisp mornings, clear skies and the Yi Peng lantern festival in November. March and April bring heat and the annual burning-season haze, so we avoid them; the June to October green season is lush, quiet and well priced, with afternoon showers rather than washouts. Chiang Mai is the natural cultural counterweight to a beach week in Phuket, Khao Lak or Koh Samui. When our Chiang Mai deals arrive they'll follow the house rules — direct hotel contracts, breakfast always included, transfers and extras in writing. Join below to hear first.
Chiang Mai deals are coming soon
We're negotiating directly with hotels in Chiang Mai right now — the same way every TravelPearls deal is done, with the inclusions written into the contract. Joining is free, no membership fees: sign up below and you'll be first to hear the moment our first Chiang Mai deal goes live.
See this week's live dealsChiang Mai — frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai?
November to February is the cool, dry season and the clear winner — daytime mid-20s, cool evenings, and the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong lantern festivals in November. March and April are hot and affected by the northern burning-season haze, which we recommend avoiding. June to October is the green season: lush scenery, fewer visitors and softer rates, with short afternoon showers.
How do I get to Chiang Mai from Australia?
There are no direct flights from Australia; fly into Bangkok (about nine hours from the east coast) and connect on a 70-minute domestic hop with Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways or the budget carriers, which run many times a day. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur also connect directly to Chiang Mai. The airport is only 15 minutes from the Old City, and our deals will typically include the transfer.
Which area of Chiang Mai should I stay in?
The Old City for walkable temples, cafés and the Sunday market; the Ping riverside for larger resorts with gardens, pools and a calmer feel while still being 10 minutes from town; Nimman for cafés, galleries and a younger, design-led scene; the Mae Rim foothills for Lanna villa retreats with mountain and rice-paddy views. The city is compact, so none of these options puts you far from anything.
How many nights do I need in Chiang Mai?
Three nights covers Doi Suthep, the Old City temples, a cooking class and a night market. Four or five lets you add an ethical elephant sanctuary, Doi Inthanon or a Chiang Rai day trip without rushing. It pairs naturally with a beach stay — many travellers do three or four nights up north before flying south to the Andaman coast or Koh Samui.
Is Chiang Mai good for families?
Very. The pace is gentle, distances are short, and the highlights — ethical elephant sanctuaries, the Sticky Waterfalls at Bua Tong, the Night Safari, cooking classes and lantern-lit markets — land well with children. The riverside and foothill resorts have large pools and gardens, and family rooms and villas are common. Cool-season evenings are comfortable enough for kids to enjoy the markets without wilting.
Get Chiang Mai Deals First
Our first Chiang Mai deals are being negotiated now. Free to join, no membership fees — sign up and get the alert the moment one goes live.