In the
heart of Chiang Mai -- a five-minute walk to the Night Market
Homey,
no-frills rooms have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms
Some
rooms have balconies plus mini-fridges
Friendly
owner knows the area inside-out, from restaurants to tours
Free light breakfast with fruit, cereal, coffee, and bread
Computer station and free
Wi-Fi throughout
Some
rooms lack windows and pick up traffic noise
Bathrooms
are a bit dirty and some are musty
No
elevators or on-site parking
The 15-room Vanilla Place Guest House is a bright budget option in the center of Chiang Mai, just a
five-minute walk from the city's main Night Market. Comfy, essentials-only rooms have
en-suite bathrooms plus air-conditioning, but certain rooms lack windows. A light continental breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and
the owner has an abundance of excellent local knowledge and is a guest favorite. For a budget option inside of the walls of the Old City, travelers should compare rates at Banilah, which has slightly smarter rooms and a Cat Cafe (yes, with actual cats).
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A homey hotel with a welcoming, friendly atmosphere
The upbeat and welcoming Vanilla Place Guest
House sits inside of a pastel five-story building, with ceramic ducks and potted flowers flanking the yellow entrance. A
simple wood dining table serves as the front desk in the homey lobby, and the
mishmash of colorful prints and dozens of trinkets creates a charming style bordering on
kitsch. Vibrant yet mismatched colors plus wooden furniture fill the breakfast area, which also has a tube-style TV and a fish tank -- the vibe is almost living room-esque. Guests here are mostly couples and backpackers, though families stay on occasion as well.
Location
In the center of Chiang Mai, just a 10-minute walk to most sights
The Vanilla Place Guest
House is on a busy street in the heart of Chiang Mai near the Ping River. The
Anusarn Market and walking street, with plenty of bars and food options, is five minutes from the hotel on foot, and the city's main Night Market is also a five-minute walk from the hotel. There are plenty of food, cheap goods, indie designer stalls, and even occasional Thai kickboxing matches at the Night Market. The Old City is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, also reachable by tuk-tuk or taxi in five minutes. Chiang Mai International Airport is 20 minutes away by car while Wat Doi Suthep, a famous hilltop temple, is 40 minutes away and is a spectacular place to watch the sunrise -- but be ready to climb lots of stairs!
Rooms
Basic, no-frills rooms with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms
Individually decorated
rooms all have a basic style with bright accents, whether it’s the
paint on the walls, the pillows, or the Thai artwork. Most rooms have teak hardwood floors and simple wooden furniture with classically Thai silhouettes. All rooms have air-conditioning and tube-style TVs, while some have balconies in addition to
mini-fridges. Other rooms lack windows and pick up traffic noise at night. There are multiple room configurations available, including those for families, and a Honeymoon Suite, which has a four-poster bed, pink walls, and dark parquet floors. While the main rooms have a simple dose of homey charm, bathrooms are a bit of a let down. A strip of
multicolored tile lines the dated en-suite bathrooms,
most of which have windows and white pedestal sinks. Moving a white shower
curtain through the middle of the room creates the showers, and toiletries are
provided. We spotted a lot of dirty tilework in the bathrooms and the odor wasn't pleasant in some either.
Features
Free light breakfast and Wi-Fi
The hotel serves a free light breakfast that consists of toast, cereal, juice, and coffee or tea. There is a computer in the breakfast room as well as a TV. Wi-Fi is free, but there is no on-site parking;
street parking with a permit costs extra. The owner is available to arrange tours and provide area recommendations.
