Phayao Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts

You find the usual range of accommodation option in Phayao – from old and worn-out traditional guesthouses to modern budget-friendly hotels, but a definite star dig in the province is Phu Lang Kha Resort. You will find a lot of contradictory reviews of the property and the owners on the web; it is true, that THB600-1000 you are going to leave there normally buy you a lot better rooms anywhere else in Thailand. But the view from your private terrace worth a million and compensates both the spartan furnishing and other drawbacks.

Budget

Centrally located half way from the bus station and the Pho Khun Ngum Muang Monument, Win Hotel (38/7 Radchasamphan road) offers some of the most affordable rooms in Phayao. The exterior of both the old and the new building is not particularly promising, but the interior design of the rooms and the common areas is pleasant, modern and stylish. The old building shows some signs of its age and this justifies the difference in price, but all the rooms (THB400 for a double) are still nicely decorated and come with an air-con and attached bathroom with hot shower. The rooms in the new building (starting from THB600) are probably the best value for money in town: huge, spotless, and greatly designed with modern bathrooms and countless of artistic details that would justify for once the surprisingly missing word ‘’boutique’’ in the name of this hotel. A new gym is available for the guests and bicycle are also free to use. The staff speak a good English and are generally friendly and welcoming. If you find yourself wandering around unable to find the hotel, look up for the tallest building in the city centre.

Closer to lake, Kwan Phayao Lake House (45 Ratchawong Street, few blocks south of the monument and the park) is a perfect example of an old-school guesthouse located on the lakefront. The wooden house looks beautiful and traditional from outside, but inside the rooms are quite dark, somewhat sad, small and with thin hard beds and an old bathroom. Rooms still come with an air-con and TV and a beautiful communal garden is a good spot to meet other travellers (if there’s any). For the same price as Win Hotel (THB600) you’ll get rooms which are definitely inferior, but here you’ll pay the location close to the lake and – well... – for the authentic atmosphere. Don’t expect anything a lot better in the same price range in this area.

Mid-Range

Not far from Lake House, Chaykwan Hotel (53/9 Thakwan Road) would be our choice in a mid-budget range. Close to the lake, overlooking a beautiful garden, it offers big and modern air-con rooms, with lots of facilities and wonderful thick mattresses. Plenty of light comes from the huge windows and a balcony is an extra you’ll appreciate while waiting to go out for dinner. Bicycles are provided for free and a great breakfast is included into the rate. Room rates start from THB1200 for a standard double but bigger rooms are also available for groups of 3 or 4.

Chiang Kham and around

If you decide to sleep in Chiang Kham, quite a few solutions are available at reasonable prices and within a walking distance from attractions with rates starting from THB250 for a simple guesthouse fan room with a bathroom attached and going up to THB500 for a hotel air-con room.

If you’re looking for something special, Rico Resort (389 Moo 4, T. Yuan) is located just south of town in a natural wonderful environment with great views over the mountains. There is a swimming pool, tennis courts and a golf course (a single 80 yd fairway with a well-maintained green and bunkers) plus a relaxing garden surrounding an artificial pond on resort’s grounds. The rooms are exceptional, spacious and fully furnished with a kitchen area. A full villa with three bedrooms is offered for rent, too. A standard double room starts from THB1800.

Phu Lang Kha

If visiting Phu Lang Kha, Phu Lang Ka Resort is the place to stay. Even if few other options (better and cheaper) might be available in the village, no one has a better location than this one to enjoy the mountains view at sunset and sunrise from the deck in front of you room with a cold beer or a hot coffee. Keep in mind that while basic Thai dishes are available for dinner at the resort, they don’t sell anything more than water, so if you want to buy some cold drinks, do it before you get to the resort. Both the bungalows (THB500) and the rooms in the concrete building (THB600) are quite basic with nothing more than a bed, a fan and an attached bathroom with cold shower, but it is actually more than enough for just a night of sleep.