Mae Hong Son Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts

One thing to be aware of when it comes to accommodation in Mae Hong Son is that whilst there seems at first sight to be a decent array of options, most are either very basic or not necessarily in the best maintained of conditions.

Unlike nearby Pai, which has a very strong tourist economy and is a bit of a hub for travellers in recent years, this town is a lot smaller and less frequented by international tourists. As such, you can expect simple but not necessarily well-maintained guesthouses interspersed with a few higher end resorts on the outskirts of town.

It’s also worth knowing that prices change depending on season, so high season will typically command far higher prices. Obviously trekking conditions and the weather generally will be far better at these times, but those on a tight budget may prefer to stay in off-season to get a better deal on accommodation costs.

Some accommodation is just short stay motel style residences, whilst other spots are designed for Thai travellers rather than international tourists, so it’s worth doing a bit of prior research to ensure you’re happy with the accommodation you opt for.

Budget

Budget options that come in at less than THB600 on average include Kiang Doi House, which is centrally located with a friendly team who can help you to arrange any tours and other bits that you need help with during your stay. There’s also the Like View which has a nice area to relax that overlooks the lake and temples as well as Johnnie Guest House. If you don’t mind staying somewhere that’s a little louder, especially in the evenings then Friend House, which is near to the town centre may be another good option.

Mid-range

If you have a little more to spend but still don’t want to blow the budget, the mid range is probably the most popular choice of accommodation in and around the town.

Jongkham Palace is a small group of chalets that are situated near to the lake and offer reasonably priced accommodation – a big attraction is the nicely designed buildings and the attractive garden which looks particularly good in the early part of the year when the flowers are in bloom.

If you don’t mind being a bit further out of town then Mae Hong Son Mountain Inn and Resort is located on the main road out of Mae Hong Son and is a large complex, with a swimming pool as well as a restaurant and cafe on site. Expect to pay around THB1500 to THB4000 for this level of accommodation depending on season.

Fern Resort, with an affiliated resort in town, is another popular mid range choice and a great base for a couple of days in the area. There’s a swimming pool, and even a campfire spot, as well as some scenic local hiking trails that you can enjoy. Again, this one is a little way outside of town so if you’re looking for more of a resort than just somewhere to lay your head this would be suitable.

Top end

Finally, there are one or two options if you want to splash out and stay somewhere more luxurious. A popular spot is the Rooks Holiday Resort, which is within 15-minute walk of the town centre and markets, and has cottages available as well as standard hotel rooms of a decent quality.