Travel Guide: Chiang Mai Opium Apartment Hotel

Nestled in the quiet, leafy Changpuak neighborhood of Northern Chiang Mai, 清邁鴉片公寓式飯店 (Chiang Mai Opium Apartment Hotel) offers a laid-back, home-like base for travelers looking to escape the bustle of Chiang Mai’s old city while staying close to all the region’s top attractions. Tucked down a quiet soi off Chottana Road, this apartment-style property balances thoughtful amenities, multilingual service, and local charm, making it ideal for family trips, slow travelers, and first-time visitors alike.

Hotel Overview

The hotel’s address at 121/1-5 Soi Viangbua, Chottana Rd., T. Changpuak puts it just a 10-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport, with convenient paid airport shuttle service available to all guests. All accommodations are spacious, self-contained apartments with private entrances, full kitchenettes (fitted with a fridge, microwave, and electric kettle), private bathrooms with free toiletries and hairdryers, and seating areas with flat-screen satellite TVs. Top facilities include a year-round open-air saltwater swimming pool with sun loungers and pool towels, a fully equipped fitness center, free all-property WiFi, and complimentary on-site parking including accessible spots. The 24-hour front desk speaks English, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai, with concierge services, luggage storage, and tour booking available. Guests consistently praise the hotel’s breakfast, and the property offers a range of paid curated activities, from Thai cooking classes and guided walking tours to horseback riding and bicycle rentals, plus daily housekeeping and laundry services for long stays. Accessibility features are available for guests with reduced mobility, and all rooms are non-smoking with designated smoking areas on-site.

Nearby Local Attractions

Three unmissable local spots are within easy reach of the hotel:

• Wat Suan Dok: Just 2 kilometers away, this 14th-century temple is famous for its massive gilded chedi, peaceful lotus ponds, and popular weekly night market held every Monday. It also hosts regular Buddhist meditation retreats for visitors, offering a quiet introduction to Northern Thai spiritual culture.
• Chiang Mai University Art Museum: Located 3 kilometers from the hotel, this modern museum showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary Thai art, with a focus on emerging Lanna artists. The surrounding university campus is lined with towering banyan trees and affordable local street food stalls perfect for an afternoon wander.
• Chang Puak Gate Market: A 15-minute walk from the hotel, this bustling local morning market sells fresh tropical fruit, handwoven Lanna textiles, and Northern Thai street food classics like khao soi and sai oua, far less crowded than the more tourist-focused night markets inside the old city.

Travel Tips

Book a pool-view room for a quiet morning wake-up, and request a higher floor via the front desk for sweeping city views over the surrounding neighborhood. If you plan to explore independently, the hotel can arrange affordable motorcycle or car rental directly at reception. Avoid visiting during rainy season (July–August) if you want to make full use of the outdoor pool, and book the hotel’s cooking class in advance—small class sizes mean spots fill up quickly during peak tourist season (November–February).