During my last trip to Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, I was looking for a small, quiet, and not too expensive hotel with a good breakfast buffet. After reading lots of online reviews, I found a very good offer on Booking.com, with similarly good deals also available on Trip.com and Agoda.
Nestled in the heart of Chiang Mai, ON Thapae Hotel is a charming small hotel that combines comfort, quiet surroundings, and great value. I ended up staying here twice and genuinely regretted that it was fully booked, as I would happily have extended my stay.
Location:
The location is excellent, just a short walk from the center, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and convenience stores, yet tucked away in a quiet street. It felt very convenient while still being peaceful.
Staff and Service:
The staff, from the reception to the housekeeping team, were extremely friendly, attentive, and helpful throughout my stay. Late check‑in was smooth and fast, and there was free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, and fresh food available at any time for guests. The receptionists were consistently welcoming and helpful, both day and night.
If it rains, guests can borrow umbrellas from the reception. Such a nice little touch!
Pool and Common Areas:
There is a small swimming pool near the reception and breakfast area. At this time of the year the water was quite cold, so I didn’t try it, but it’s still a nice spot to sit and relax. There were free clean towels, two loungers by the pool, and a few more (though a bit worn) on the small terrace on the second floor. The little garden by the pool is a very pleasant place to have breakfast, enjoy a coffee, read a book, or surf the web.
Wi‑Fi and Connectivity:
There is free, fast internet connection all over the hotel, which was very convenient for planning my days and staying in touch.
Room and Amenities:
I booked a Standard Double Room which wasn’t very large, but it was modern, very clean, and quiet. I appreciated the free water bottles (two on the desk and two in the fridge), as well as the extra bottles and refilling station on every floor. Inside the room there was individual air‑conditioning with remote control, an LCD TV, a fridge with water bottles, a hairdryer, lots of free amenities, slippers, and a safe. The bed was large and very comfortable. The view from the windows was nothing special, just rooftops, but it was very calm and that was exactly what I enjoyed. The only downside of the room was the limited space for luggage.
Bathroom:
The bathroom was small but practical, with plenty of complimentary amenities. Everything was clean and functional, which made the space perfectly adequate for a short stay.
Pricing Observation:
One thing I didn’t really understand was the difference in price between my first stay (on the 3rd floor) and the second stay (on the top floor) during the same week. The room size and design were identical, yet the rate was higher for the top‑floor room.
Breakfast:
The breakfast buffet was truly one of the highlights. Every day featured different options: Thai dishes, Western pastries, fresh juices, and more. Even better, snacks, juices, and coffee were available for guests all day and night, which was a great touch.
Overall Impression:
I had two very nice stays at ON Thapae Hotel, and I would definitely come back if I have the chance. The friendly staff, calm atmosphere, clean and modern rooms, and excellent breakfast were exactly what I was looking for, and they are the reasons this hotel is now on my list of places to return to in Chiang Mai.
