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In July 2023, we started our first Mae Hong Son tour from Chiang Mai. In between, seven stopovers before we arrived back in Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai. The next time we do the famous Mae Hong Son loop, we’ll drive it clockwise. In the case of our first trip, we did the “loop” counter-clockwise; it was great!
Our pre-chosen destinations were the places Hot, Mae Sariang, Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son town, Baan Rak Thai, Ban Ja Bo and Pai – and then we drove back to Chiang Mai, where our adventure started. Without a doubt, our most memorable moment was our overnight stay in Ban Ja Bo: an absolute must if you’re taking the Mae Hong Son tour.
There were a number of accommodations we stayed in that were not up to our standards; we deliberately left these out. Instead, you will find suggestions for hotels whose positive reviews stack up.
Stop 1 = Phu-Anna Eco House in Hot
Stop 2 = Above The Sea Hotel in Mae Sariang
Stop 3 = Khunyuam Resort in Khun Yuam
Stop 4 = B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Hotel in Mae Hong Son (city)
Stop 5 = Chasa Rakthai Resort in Baan Rak Thai
Stop 6 = Saolahu Coffee in Ban Ja Bo
Stop 7 = Montis Resort in Pai
Stop 8 = The Chimes in Chiang Mai
More fun during the Mae Hong Son loop
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Stop #1: Phu-Anna Eco House (ภูอันนา อีโค่ เฮ้าส์) in Hot, near the Op Luang National Park
Phu-Anna Eco House is a small-scale, ecological resort in the village of Hodt. A small village, about an hour and a half drive from Chiang, near the Op Luang National Park. The hotel offers clean, spacious rooms with excellent value for money. The staff ensures a pleasant stay, and the team minimizes environmental impact by using natural materials. Phu-Anna has a small coffee bar that serves delicious, varied dishes using fresh local ingredients in addition to a good breakfast. An ideal stopover before the Mae Hong Son run, Phu-Anna Eco House offers a serene environment for a relaxing stay.
Book a room via Booking.com and/or Agoda or check out our in-depth review of Phu-Anna Eco House in Hot.
Stop #2: Above The Sea Boutique Hotel in Mae Sariang
In this small place we slept at the Chill House, we didn’t like this accommodation well enough to tip and therefore we tip you the below hotel in Mae Sariang.
The cozy Above The Sea Boutique Hotel is perfectly located in the small town of Mae Sariang. This boutique hotel is just steps away from cozy restaurants, nice stores and the lively morning market. Above The Sea in Mae Sariang is a comfortable accommodation and is the ideal pit stop for any adventurer visiting the Mae Hong Son route. Each room is equipped with all modern conveniences such as flat-screen TV and air conditioning. In addition, the bathrooms have a shower and complimentary toiletries for guests’ convenience. As a bonus, the hotel also has a small swimming pool, a compact gym and a comfortable terrace available.
Guests can look forward to a tasty breakfast each morning including delectable local dishes at the hotel’s own restaurant. Besides delicious food, other facilities include barbecue facilities, bicycle rental and free parking. The staff there is friendly and helpful. Therefore, this accommodation is a great choice for both short and long stays during your visit to Mae Sariang.
Book a room through Booking.com and/or Agoda or read about our massage at a local Mae Sariang massage parlor.
Stop #3: Khunyuam Resort in Khun Yuam
Located between Mae Sariang and Mae Hong Son in Thailand, lies the amazing Khunyuam Resort. A spectacular accommodation for travelers and, in our opinion, an ideal stop for during the Mae Hong Son run! The resort has ten rooms in total, consisting of four high-end triple rooms and six budget-friendly rooms for two. Nestled in Khun Yuam, a picturesque village near the Myanmar border, this resort nestles amidst beautiful nature. From here, guests can enjoy the enchanting views of the surrounding landscapes.
What really impressed us here was the breathtaking panorama that serves as a vivid backdrop every morning. The genial host who welcomes you with open arms was the icing on the cake. In short, there are plenty of reasons why you would want to stay at Khunyuam Resort!
Book a room via Booking.com and/or Agoda or check out our in-depth review of Khunyuam Resort in Khun Yuam.
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Stop #4: B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Hotel in Mae Hong Son City
Located in the heart of Mae Hong Son town, the B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Hotel is an extremely practical choice for travelers doing the Mae Hong Son loop. With 42 spacious and comfortable rooms, excellent facilities and neat bathrooms, it guarantees a relaxing stay.
The hotel’s location is superb – steps away from the bustling city center and within pleasant proximity of several tourist attractions. Guests here also enjoy welcoming amenities such as free Wi-Fi, ample parking, a swimming pool and an always-on reception staffed by friendly, service-oriented staff. The B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Hotel definitely offers attractive value for money compared to other hotels in the city.
Book a room through Agoda or check out our comprehensive review of B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Hotel in Mae Hong Son city.
Stop #5: Chasa Rakthai Resort in Baan Rak Thai
While Chasa Rakthai Resort may not be the most luxurious accommodation we stayed at during our Mae Hong Son itinerary, it at least offers an acceptable accommodation option in the quaint village of Baan Rak Thai. It goes without saying that given its location against a steep hill, you have to make some physical effort via stairs to get there. However, the view you get as a reward justifies a stay at Chasa Rakthai alone! At the highest point of the resort are walkways with phenomenal views of Baan Rak Thai, which even for non-guests is appropriate this is a good tip to visit. Indeed, the resort offers beautiful views of both the village and lake of Baan Rak Thai, as well as the green hills full of jungle and tea fields beyond.
Our room was equipped with all the basic necessities: a bathroom with hot shower, a comfortable double bed, WiFi, air conditioning and even a desk to do some work if necessary. The absolute best aspect of the room? The generous terrace we were treated to with breathtaking views. In the evening, we enjoyed some delicious food at the hotel’s restaurant. The delicious salad made with cashews and cilantro was so incredibly delicious! The next morning we moved on early so we skipped the breakfast buffet, there was a very long line and we had absolutely no desire to spend our precious time there.
Baan Rak Thai is popular among Thai and Chinese tourists thanks to its traditional Chinese Yunnan character – you practically feel like you are in China! Therefore, we recommend booking your accommodation on time. After all, it would be a shame if you arrived after such a trek to this unique village without a place to get that well-deserved night’s sleep!
Book a room through Agoda.
Stop #6: Saolahu Coffee in Baan Ja Bo
During our first Mae Hong Son roundtrip, Ban Ja Bo became our absolute highlight, both literally and figuratively. We stayed at 7 Among Scenery, an accommodation you won’t find on well-known platforms like Agoda or Booking.com (like many other accommodations in Ban Ja Bo). Although the host was very hospitable, we discovered an even better place for you, namely Saolahu Coffee!
Saolahu Coffee initially welcomed us as a charming coffee house with a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings – which it certainly is! However, after talking to the owner, we discovered that there were also accommodation options: very basic, like all accommodations in this small village, but good enough to stay for a night or two.
There are about six rooms located on the floor below the café, also known as Ten Lak Coffee. Everything is pretty basic but neat and clean. We took some quick pictures for you that you can see below, nice and basic. If you need more information, you can contact the owner at sornsawan4859 at gmail com or call +66 (0)9924 04859.
Stop #7: Montis Resort in Pai
In July 2023 and also at the end of our Mae Hong Son run, we had the pleasure of staying a few nights at the luxurious Montis Resort in Pai. Located just two kilometers from the lively center of Pai, this resort offers a peaceful retreat encapsulated by majestic mountains. Upon arrival, we were immediately overwhelmed by the calm and serene atmosphere the resort exudes; an oasis of calm amidst the otherwise bustling environment.
Our stay was in the Safari Villa, a generous 60 square meter villa with practical facilities and a unique round design. In addition to this villa, Montis Resort has several other room options ranging from suites to even pool villas! It offers numerous facilities such as a: swimming pool, gym, relaxation room and meeting room. Likewise, free bike rental or shuttle service was available for those who wanted to soak up the local atmosphere. Although we decided to dine outside the accommodation, the Montis Resort also offered a wide range of dishes and drinks in their own restaurant.
As far as we are concerned, Montis Resort in Pai is one of the most luxurious accommodations in Pai. As such, we look forward to our return!
Book a room via Booking.com and/or Agoda or check out our in-depth review of Montis Resort in Pai.
Stop #8 (start- and ending point): The Chimes in Chiang Mai
The Chimes is one of our favorite affordable gems in the city of Chiang Mai. The hotel is in an outstanding location, in the southeast corner of the famous old city center. The Chimes is close to popular attractions such as the Chiang Mai Walking Street and Wat Chedi Luang. The accommodation is just a fifteen-minute drive from both Chiang Mai Railway Station and Chiang Mai Airport. In the immediate vicinity you will find numerous cozy coffee shops, bars and excellent restaurants, such as Coconut Shell Thai Food. In addition, there is a 7-Eleven supermarket just a two-minute walk away for occasional necessities.
The Chimes Chiang Mai is a modern and well-maintained hotel with fourteen rooms. A variety of room types are available, including those with city views or pool views. Each room offers comfortable furnishings and is equipped with air conditioning, a refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi connection. The hotel further possesses the largest swimming pool within the old city limits – ideal for much needed relaxation after a day of exploring. The helpful staff is always ready to offer assistance or advice on local Chiang Mai activities.
Book a room via Booking.com en/of Agoda or check out our list of the best affordable accommodations in Chiang Mai.
More fun for during the Mae Hong Son loop
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