Hotels and restaurants in Pai and Mae Hong Son
Wat Jong Klang resides over the town lake
These two destinations in the far north of Thailand are great places to get away from mainstream tourism, and there is no shortage of establishments geared towards weary travallers with an empty stomach. Mae Hong Son is a typical Thai town and most the tourist-friendly eateries are located in hotels, though there are a few restaurants about town, especially near the pond, that do brisk trade with foreign visitors.
Mae Hong Song accommodation varies quite a bit and you’ll find backpacker dorms, luxury resorts and everything in between. Mae Hong Son has several large hotels to cater to the tour buses that pass through, but plenty of budget guesthouses too. Pai on the other hand is mostly budget and though it packs out from December to March, there are loads of cheap bamboo bungalows scattered about. But there are some comfortable places too, and just by wandering around the small town centre you’re spoil for choice with budget eateries. To avoid disappointment you may want to book online in advance.
See our recommendeed Pai hotels and restaurants.
Mae Hong Son guesthouses and restaurants
Sunflower Café is ideal for breakfast and lunch when passing through, with its freshly baked, pizza, mountain coffee and tourist info. Located lake-side opposite Wat Jongklang-Jongkam temple. +66 (0)8 9950 1798, website: www.sunflowercafetour.com
Baiyoke Chalet is just a two-minute walk from the lake in central Mae Hong Son, with functional facilities and rooms that start at 800 baht. 90 Khunlumprapas Rd., Jongkam...More details and booking
Sawasdee Place is a clean, middle of the road establishment in central Mae Hong Son. Rooms start at 800 baht. 29 Moo 8, Tambol Pangmoo,Tel: +66 (0) 2 277 5256 for reservartions...More details and booking
Piya Guest house also on Jong Kham pond is slightly more upmarket with pleasant garden though a bit expensive for what it offers. Rooms with a/c cost 600 baht. Tel: +66 (0) 53 611 260.
Johnnie House is centrally located on Jong Kham pond in a wooden house with clean rooms with private bathrooms for 150-250 baht. 5/1 Udomchawnitech Rd., tel: (053) 611 667.
Chez Ton is a good place to stop for a snack in Mae Hong Son. It offers foreign food as well as more traditional fare with a personal twist. Phaditchongkum Rd.
Ji-Ji Restaurant is located on the main drag in Mae Hong Son, just across from 7-Eleven. Aside from local dishes, it serves some Western fare that is worth stopping in for.
Fern Restaurant has some of the best Thai food in Mae Hong Son and is geared up for tourists who look respectable. Popular with locals with a nice atmosphere, plus there is an attached resort with above-average rooms. 87 Khunlum Praphat Road...More details and booking
Pai guesthouses and restaurants
Baan Pai Village has cosy cabins overlooking a small garden, affordably priced at 500 to 600 baht. For a river view, prices jump to 2,400 baht per night. 88 Moo 3, Vieng Tai, Pai, Tel: +66 (0) 53 698 152, email: reservation@baanpaivillage.com.
Tawan Guesthouse has a great location right on the river, though it’s a bit close to a noisy school (if you like afternoon naps). The bungalows are rustic and the setting lovely among shady trees, close the centre. Rooms from 600-1,200 baht. Tel: +66 (0) 53 698 116...More details and booking
Pairadise offers perhaps the best value in all of Pai, with its dozen comfortable en-suite bungalows facing a lovely swimmable pond. Ideal for relaxing, located a 10 minute walk from the centre, but they don’t take reservations. 500-1,200 baht for a/c room. Tel: (053) 698 065, email: info@pairadise.com
Rim Pai this upmarket place has prime place in the town centre on the river with comfortable rooms in a lovely garden. Rooms from 500 baht for to 4,000 baht for suits, but definitely a plush place. Tel: +66 (0) 53 699 133, 99/1 Moo 3, Viang Tai, tel: (053) 699 133, email: reservation@rimpaicottage.com.
Sipsongpanna is an artists homestay upriver from Pai (so you’ll need a rented bicycle) with a nice atmosphere and setting, with vegetarian restaurant, the epitome of Pai, but usually fully booked. From 600 baht for bungalows. Tel: +66 (0) 53 216 096, 60 Moo 8, Veing Nua, tel: (053) 682 259, mobile: 083 579 9209, email: thatinpai@hotmail.com.
Golden Hut is a long running place also on the river, reached via a lane beside the temple. It has a raised riverfront restaurant that has survived floods and decent bamboo and bungalow rooms. From 400 baht. Tel: +66 (0) 53 699 401.
Café del Doi in Pai overlooks a rice field and a mountain range, and serves a local range of mountain rice. It has lovely views over the rice fields but is located far out of Pai.
Pai River Corner has a terrace by the Pai River where you can get a high quality breakfast, lunch or dinner...More details and booking
Be Bop is the liveliest place in town and usually busy any night of the week in the season with its live band and late hours. Located on the Chiang Mai road a wee bit out of town, ask locals for directions.
There are actually many restaurants, too many to mention in the main streets and it’s more practical to wander around and see what takes you fancy.
Note! To secure a guaranteed room and find the best rates, we suggest you look online at Agoda.com. They seem to be the most competitively priced of the hotels sites.
Further reading...
- Attractions and activities in Mae Hong Son and Pai
- Getting to Mae Hong Son and Pai - transportation
- Mae Hong Son tourist guide
