The Best Places to Book Your Stay in Phrae, Thailand

The finest qualities of homestays in Thailand are exemplified by this two-storey teak chalet near the Yom River. Behind the intricately carved wooden doors, you’ll find double rooms with en-suites or wrought-iron bunks in shared dorms. Breakfast is plentiful, whether you fancy sticky red Thai rice or Western-style scrambled eggs. Go hiking and biking, then give yourself a boost by booking a back-cracking Thai massage at the hostel’s massage room.

Towering palm trees mark the entrance of this Lanna-inspired hotel. The most basic double rooms come with an espresso machine and decor crafted from spools of Thai silk. Meanwhile the sumptuous Victoria suite has a lounge with mountain views and a jacuzzi bath in the en-suite. Those who want to party can book one of the plush karaoke suites that come complete with flatscreen TVs, microphones and wrap-around sofas.

An arty hotel near the night market. The Brutalist bare concrete walls are softened with tropical planting, mono-chic murals and plump furnishings. At breakfast, dine under one of the white umbrellas on the teak deck of the Come Moon Café. Then, in the evening, you can use a free bike to cycle to the Phrae Night Market or tour the town.

Leave the town behind and experience country life at this village-inspired resort. Just 15 villas can be found within the grounds surrounded by rolling countryside. While the homes on stilts and carved wooden balconies take inspiration from times gone by, the double or twin room villas feature flatscreen TVs, minibars and an en-suite bathroom. If you don’t want to leave your suite, you can order breakfast in your room.

A funky industrial-style B&B in the centre of Phrae. The exposed-brick-wall double rooms come with an en-suite as well as a fully stocked mini bar, free toiletries and fresh towels. At breakfast, hungry holidaymakers can enjoy a wok filled with fried eggs, sausage, bacon and mushrooms. And if they are still hungry, they can carb up with complimentary doughnut bites and fresh bananas during the day. Free bikes are also available, so you can take a ride to the temples and the Old Town.

Part guest house, part museum, Baanthep Antique Homestay is a good place learn about times gone by in Phrae. Around each corner is another surprise, whether it’s concrete elephants knee-deep in a koi carp pool, teak benches made from tree roots or doors painted with images of Thai people in traditional outfits. Guests can enjoy free bikes, a shared lounge and a bar. The double, twin or family suites come with kitchen accessories and cooking facilities.

A sleek hotel on the edge of the city. The light and bright rooms come with a glass-enclosed en-suite. Fancy a dip? A palm-lined saltwater pool can be found next to the terrace. And for those with kids, there is also a children’s play area. The hotel is surrounded by greenery, and the hotel puts this to good use – herbs and microgreens are plucked from the hotel’s organic garden and added to your breakfast.

A little hotel that’s big on loft style. Choose from four types of rooms including doubles, twins, family rooms and kings as you revel in airy whitewashed rooms dotted with Phrae’s famed indigo furnishings. The Hug Inn doesn’t compromise when it comes to breakfast. The breakfast fairy will organise chicken sticky rice, savoury porridge, Thai-style pan-fried eggs and even an American breakfast.

A local architect has turned an historic shophouse into one of the hottest places to stay in Phrae. This hotel-cum-café-cum-gallery is even more sought after since it only has three rooms. Light wooden panels wrap around the suites that feature crisp white linen and locally crafted indigo cushions, which you can buy in the gallery, along with other handicrafts. Next to this, there’s a café serving signature ginger lattes sprinkled with brown sugar, whilst local dishes such as fried fish with tamarind sauce are on the menu for dinner.

A budget hotel that offers top value for money. The en-suite is filled with free toiletries, whilst the junior suite even comes with a separate lounge that has floor-to-ceiling windows, from which you can enjoy sweeping views over the city. The Saturday Night Market is just a 15-minute walk away, as are the riverbanks of Rim Nam Yom Park.