Akyra Manor Chiang Mai Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay

Pros

Design-oriented hotel in the hip Nimman district
Located near restaurants, bars, and boutiques
Stylish guest rooms, some with private balconies
All rooms include AC, minibars, and espresso machines
Smart TVs, iPods, and Bluetooth speakers are standard
Rooms have big, open-air bathtubs in courtyards
Show-stopping rooftop bar and infinity pool
Chic Italian restaurant with wood-burning oven
On-site meeting and fitness rooms
Secure parking and valet service
Free Wi-Fi throughout

Cons

Location is outside the Old City, away from its sights
Dark decor and balcony bathtubs won’t suit all
Potential for street noise in front-facing suites
Dim mood lighting can be at odds with sunny locale
Breakfast costs extra

Bottom Line

Opened in 2015, this upscale boutique hotel is, like others under the Akyra brand, aimed at “dynamic, energetic metrosexuals.” Its 30 moody, air-conditioned suites have distinctive design elements -- open-air bathtubs among them -- and come outfitted with minibars, espresso machines, Smart TVs, digital music systems and free Wi-Fi. The hotel as a whole is also loaded with features, from the basement fitness room and buzz-worthy lobby restaurant to the rooftop bar and infinity pool. But the mod decor won’t appeal to everyone; nor will the trendy (and at times noisy) Nimman location, about a 10-minute drive from the Old City. If you’re looking for a more traditional Thai alternative closer to Chiang Mai’s main attractions and markets, try Sirilanna or the Bodhi Serene instead.

See More Bottom Line

Hotel & Amenities Photos

The Hotel

Manor Suite

Pool

Restaurants and Bars

Amenities

Cribs
Fitness Center
Internet
Jacuzzi
Pool

See More Amenities

Scene

A slick, stylish choice for the younger crowd

Designed by Singaporean architect Chaw Chih Wen, the unusual facade of this eight-story building was inspired by Chiang Mai’s ancient walls, and everything inside is meant to lure affluent 20- or 30-somethings (many of them Chinese) who are the target demographic. Families are also welcome: The hotel offers kiddy equipment plus on-request babysitting for little ones. Nevertheless, the vibe here -- from the dramatic black-and-brass decor of the reception and restaurant area to the oh-so-trendy rooftop bar and infinity pool -- is decidedly adult. In fact, “dark” and “moody” seem to be the keywords here, though sometimes they’re taken too literally, as you’ll discover when negotiating the blackened hallways.

See More Scene

Location

West of the Old City in the trendiest part of Chiang Mai

Akyra Manor is in the burgeoning Nimmanhaemin Road District (Nimman for short), so you’ll probably need a taxi or tuk-tuk if you’re going to take in the attractions of the Old City -- including its must-see markets and gold-tipped temples. This vibrant area, however, does have its own allure: after all, it’s lined with trendy restaurants, boutiques, bars and enough cafes to earn it the nickname “Coffee Street.” Guests wishing to explore farther can arrange tours to Doi Inthanon National Park, the Chiang Dao Caves, and other popular destinations on-site. Transfers for the airport (a 13-minute drive away) can also be arranged directly. If you have your own car, a valet will park it for you in the hotel garage.

10-minute walk to the Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center
Six-minute drive to Chiang Mai National Museum
Seven-minute drive to Wat Phra Singh or Wat Chiang Man
Eight-minute drive to Chiang Mai Gate Market
Nine-minute drive to Tha Pae Gate or Wat Chedi Luang
10-minute drive to Chiang Mai Zoo
11-minute drive to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
13-minute drive to Chiang Mai International Airport or Arcade Bus Terminal
15-minute drive to Chiang Mai Railway Station

See More Location

Rooms

Sophisticated suites with distinctive features

Room categories here are basically distinguished by size: Deluxe Suites are 610-square feet, while Manor ones cover 1,050, which allows for a living area connected to a private balcony. But across the board, all units display a modern Asian look, their dark palette, dim lighting, and minimalist style combining to create a hip atmosphere. All also come with top-notch amenities like individually controlled air-conditioning, minibars, espresso machines, digital safes, 48-inch Smart TVs, pre-loaded iPods, Bluetooth speakers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms across the board include walk-in rainfall showers, naturally sourced toiletries, and comfy cotton robes. But the pièce de résistance is that each suite has a central, open-air courtyard dominated by a round marble tub: the caveat is that you’ll need to close the screen if you want privacy when soaking in it. Street noise is another potential downside, particularly at night in street-facing suites, so you may want to choose a back one.

See More Rooms

Features

An Italian eatery and bar-rimmed rooftop pool lead the list.

In keeping with its clientele, the top features here are social spaces -- namely the hotel’s chic indoor/outdoor restaurant and the rooftop area. The former focuses on modern Italian fare, with a smattering of Thai favorites thrown in for good measure, but it also serves as the breakfast room. The rooftop does double duty as well, being home to both the RISE Bar (where the see-and-be-seen set sips cocktails by day and night) plus a glass-sided infinity pool that’s uber cool but perhaps too reminiscent of a fish tank to some. Guests curious about local culture can choose from an add-on “Experiences” menu, which includes art or cooking classes, photography tours, and even Thai boxing tutorials, while fitness fans take advantage of a dark yet decently equipped workout room, and those combining business with pleasure can make use of a window-lined meeting room. Other on-site features include a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff; round-the-clock room service; concierge, turndown, dry-cleaning/laundry, shoe-shining and twice-daily housekeeping services; and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi.

See More Features