Review of Old City Wall Inn, Chiang Mai
Looking for a comfortable place to stay in the city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand? My review of Old City Wall Inn can help you. This is a perfect place to stay both long and short-term when visiting Chiang Mai.
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The Old City Wall Inn
My Thailand travels had me planning to stay for 1-2 months in Chiang Mai and I needed a central location that was convenient and moderately priced. Having never been to Thailand, I knew I needed help finding a great place. I reached out to someone I followed on Instagram for assistance with my hotel search.
Amanda from Settle in Abroad helps people do many different kinds of things in Thailand. From finding housing or hotels, to banking and business questions, and also helping plan a wedding, she and her company can assist you through unknown rules, regulations, and customs. Please feel free to contact her for help if visiting or moving to Thailand. Click here for more details.
Where is The Old City Wall Inn Located?
The Old City Wall in is located at 35/7-12, Sridonchai Road Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand. The location was perfect for my first long-term stay in Chiang Mai. I’ll discuss more about the excellent location in the Pros section.
The Chiang Mai International Airport is about a 15 minute drive away, depending on the time of day and the traffic. Plenty of taxis and Grab rides are available to get you where you need to be at a very reasonable cost.
Pros and Cons in My Review of the Old City Wall Inn
All of the pros and cons listed below are my own opinions. I offer them here to help you make the best decision possible with the information provided. Take what matters to you and toss the rest. It’s all up to you. Here are my thoughts.
Pros at the Old City Wall Inn
Excellent Location
Amanda from Settle in Abroad chose a centrally located place for me to stay and I was so grateful. Located on a main road, taxis, Grab drivers, and tour operators had no problems finding the Old City Wall Inn to pick me up.
Here are just some of the shops, restaurants, and cafes nearby. And I mean within a few minutes walk. There are many more I didn’t get to explore, so make sure to wander about a bit to discover some other hidden gems.
Restaurants and Cafes Right Nearby
- Pakorn’s Kitchen – this restaurant became my go-to for dinner with delicious Khao soi, a traditional northern Thai dish that was so yummy.
- Nana’s – a few doors down and offered good simple food for excellent value. Try their stewed pork and rice with a Thai iced tea.
- Sushi Ichiban – When I craved great sushi or some miso soup, this restaurant didn’t disappoint. It is very small and I usually ate at the counter since I was eating alone. Excellent sushi, soup, and rolls. Check them out if you’re a sushi lover like me.
- Indish Indian Restaurant – Portions were huge but the korma, garlic naan, and the mango lassi were even better than I have back home in the States. Great food and enough for several meals for me.
- La Friandise – This was the newly opened cafe right next to the lobby of Old City Wall Inn. Do not miss visiting this cafe for the friendly owners and the amazing food and service.
- Roastniyom – This became my late afternoon cafe to hang out in and get some work done. Loved the cappuccinos and coffees there. This is a chain and many Roastniyom locations are scattered all around the city. You can’t go wrong with their relaxed atmosphere and excellent coffee drinks.
- Ma Chill – A small cozy cafe offering an assortment of caffeinated drinks.
Shops and Services Nearby
- Good Health Organic Market – a place to explore to check out supplements, health products, and organic self-care products like soaps and shampoos.
- Marijuana Shops – there were several located just on this street and many more throughout the city. If you use marijuana for medical or personal reasons, stop in and talk with the staff.
- Massage Places – there was one located right next to the lobby of the Inn and a few more as you walked down the street. Most are reasonably priced and offer an assortment of massages and body treatments.
Large Spacious Room
My room was huge and felt so spacious. The large bed, side table, couch, coffee table, desk and chair, and the TV shelf with kitchen supplies under it, never made the room feel crowded.
Helpful Staff
I can’t say enough about how helpful the staff were. From teaching me how to download the Grab app to answering questions I had, they were always willing to help with a smile.
One day the man at the front desk saw me limping and asked about my leg. I informed him I suffered from severe arthritis and it was flaring up. My plan was to slowly walk down the street to find some pain relief meds or ointment. He immediately went to the local pharmacy and bought me a tube of cooling arthritis gel that helped ease the stiffness. It was well worth the few hundred baht to have pain relief and not have to walk down the street. Thank you.
Luggage Elevator
My suitcases were heavy! I packed for a 3-month stay and I was so grateful to have the elevator to carry the bags up to the second floor. I used it again when I left at the end of the month.
Comfortable Couch And a Desk For Work
The room was large with plenty of room for both a leather couch and a small desk. I preferred sitting on the couch and used the coffee table as a desk.
Tucked in the corner outside of the bathroom, the desk became the place to hold books, papers, and other assorted stuff I didn’t have a home for. Having the option to sit at a desk to get work done was appreciated, even if I didn’t take advantage of it. An electrical outlet right above the desk was an added bonus.
Deck In The Room
Although I arrived in Chiang Mai right at the beginning of their hot summer season, the deck was a nice addition to the room. A laundry drying rack out there came in handy when I washed a lot of my clothes in the sink and dried in the hot sun. This deck would be a nice option once the peak of summer had passed.
Laundry Service Available For a Fee
A laundry basket and slip were provided if you wished to have your laundry washed, dried, and folded. The charge was calculated by weight and I never paid more than $12 for a large load of clothes. Due to being in a central location, a laundromat was available down the street if you wished to wash your clothes yourself.
Railings On The Steps
Sturdy railings all the way up the stairs to the second floor provided secure help with getting up the steps.
Cafe On Premises of The Old City Wall Inn
Included breakfast is not an option at the Inn, but a new cafe opened up right next to the hotel a few days after I arrived. You could walk to the cafe, called La Friandise, from the lobby of the Inn.
Jerome, originally from France, is an amazing chef and prepared some delicious meals for me. I usually only ate breakfast there, but the yogurt bowls with fresh fruit and a cappuccino always looked and tasted fantastic. His Thai partner, Sudarat, prepared my many cappuccinos and often helped with ordering things through Thai websites. I’m still working on the cross stitch picture she helped me buy online.
La Friandise is still growing and drawing an interested crowd for the relaxing atmosphere and scrumptious food. They even have live music some nights. I can’t wait to go back when I return to Chiang Mai soon. Check out their website here and make reservations if you’re in the area.
Quiet Room At the Rear of the Building
My room was located at the back side of the Inn and street noise was practically nonexistent. While I stayed at Old City Wall Inn, the heat of summer made sure the windows were closed and the air conditioner running most of the time I was in the room. An open courtyard for the property next door below my window occasionally had people outside having conversation, but never enough to be considered a nuisance at all.
Great Price For 4-Week Stay
My initial stay in Chiang Mai at the Old City Wall Inn arranged by Amanda cost me 10,000 baht, or approximately $275.00. For 4 weeks. I had a small additional charge for electricity but I remember that being about 400-500 baht, or about $11.00-$13.75. Worth every penny, or baht.
Microwave, Dishes and a Mini Fridge
My stay was originally booked for 2 months, so staff provided a microwave, mini fridge, and dishes for my convenience. This allowed me to save on food costs since portions were usually huge and I could reheat meals the next day. The tea kettle also provided many a cup of tea or instant hot chocolate drink I fell in love with. This definitely made my stay much easier and more economical.
Cons of the Old City Wall Inn
The cons were definitely few for my stay here. Most of them were more things I would have liked changed, but not definite deal-breakers.
The Bathroom Tub
The room chosen for me was called the Deluxe Garden view room and contained a bathtub with the shower inside. Other rooms with walk-in showers are available to book.
I was not feeling too much pain in my ankle so getting in and out of the tub was ok for me. Supporting myself on the wall beside the tub, I carefully stepped inside onto a small hand towel for added grip. There is nothing more dangerous than slipping in a soapy tub or shower. If there is no textured surface or mat in the bottom of the tub, place a towel or washcloth where you will stand to give your feet a bit more stability and grip.
Be aware that asking for another room is an option, if one is available at the time of your booking. The Old City Wall Inn is not that large and offers 17 rooms for your stay. If you need to change rooms, make sure to ask early on in your planning stages or as soon as you get to the room.
No Elevator for the Second Floor
The Old City Wall Inn only has two floors and my room was at the top of the stairs on the second floor. All rooms are located upstairs. There is no elevator for people, but they do have a small luggage elevator which proved very helpful. Although there is no elevator for people with limited mobility, the stairs did have solid supportive railings all the way up.
The Hard Asian Bed
Maybe I’m just a soft American, but I find the typical hard Asian bed a bit uncomfortable to sleep on. Traditional beliefs state that firm mattresses help keep your back properly aligned and supported. Just be aware that most mattresses in Asia tend to be on the firm side.
Cleaning Services at Old City Wall Inn
Room service cleaned once a week. Since I booked as a long-term stay, any additional cleaning requests charged an additional fee. I washed my own dishes in the bathroom sink and the extra cleaning wasn’t really needed. This gave me more incentive to keep the room neat and clean between their weekly visits.
Extra Storage
Even though there was a storage rack and some high shelves in the entryway of the room, a small bureau or extra storage was missing. The room was large enough to hold an additional piece of furniture without feeling too cramped. A place to hold underwear, socks, and other things I didn’t hang up is needed. Plus, I had to ask for more hangers since only 5 hung on the rod in the room.
The Old City Wall Inn Amenities
Amenities were not a main feature of the hotel, but that is fine with me. There wasn’t a gym, or a pool, or other special features. Since I chose to stay here for a month and lived here, the missing amenities weren’t a problem.
I found the amenities to be the amazing, helpful staff, the proximity of the cafe, and the dishes, refrigerator, and microwave they put in my room. Those were enough to make me feel like I was getting a fantastic deal.
Cost For My Month Stay at The Old City Wall Inn
Long-term stays received a better rate and my cost for 4 weeks here was approximately 10,500 baht, or $290.00. This price absolutely amazed me compared to the costs of accommodation back home in the United States.
Hotel Recap of My Month Stay at The Old City Wall Inn
I greatly enjoyed my time staying at the Old City Wall Inn in Chiang Mai. The central location, the helpful staff, and the comfortable room with an amazing rate all added to my appreciation.
Accessibility was good but you would need to handle stairs to get up to the guest rooms. Railings on the steps provided added security. I plan on returning for another visit in January and will ask for a room with a walk-in tub instead of the bathtub, which I do not need.
If you plan on visiting, either short-term or for an extended stay, make sure to check for availability of rooms ahead of time. The Old City Wall Inn is not huge and you want to make sure to get the room style to best suit your needs.
Honest Opinion from My Stay at the Old City Wall Inn
My opinion is positively high for The Old City Wall Inn. This was my first time traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I knew nothing about the area. The hotel staff were helpful with suggestions for excursions, restaurants, and teaching me how to get around with Grab while in Thailand.
Location-wise, this was an excellent introduction to Chiang Mai for me. Most everything I needed or wanted was within a short walking distance. I felt safe, could ask questions, and plan on returning next year for another stay. This place gets a high recommendation from me.
Transportation To and From the Old City Wall Inn
The Old City Wall in is centrally located and every mode of transportation I used during my stay could find the Inn easily.
From the Airport
When I arrived at the Chiang Mai Airport from Bangkok, I had no idea how I was going to get to the Old City Wall Inn. I copied the address in both English and Thai to show to my taxi driver.
As I was walking out of the airport with my luggage, a lady asked me if I needed a taxi. I thought this was the best way for me right now since I was tired from traveling. She directed me to a counter where they listed set prices to get to certain areas of the city.
The Old City Wall Inn was in an area that cost me 150 baht ($4.15 at time of writing) and I prepaid at the desk. Then the lady escorted me out the doors into the heat right to a waiting taxi that delivered me to the front entrance of the Inn. Although taxis are plentiful, using the Grab app was even less expensive and so convenient.
Using the Grab App
The man at the front desk of the Inn helped me download the Grab app to use for my rides around the city. Grab works just like Uber or Lyft. You enter your location to be picked up and then add your destination. A price is shown with different options such as a motorcycle, or different levels of cars from a basic Toyota to fancy SUVs or vans for larger groups.
Depending on the time of day and how far you are traveling, my costs were usually around the range of 90-200 baht. ($2.47-$5.49) Tipping is not mandatory but my drivers greatly appreciated the tip for excellent service.
You can connect a debit or credit card to the Grab app and not need to worry about having cash, but I don’t suggest it. You will be charged an international transaction fee in addition to the charge of the ride. Unless you have a card without these fees, they can add up quickly.
Scooter Rentals
If you feel brave enough to drive a scooter on the busy roads within the city, then a scooter rental shop located a few doors down can help you out. Scooters are a main mode of transportation for many locals and rentals are a cheap way to get around.
Fun Things To Do Nearby in Chiang Mai
- Wat Phra Singh – Visit this beautiful temple, which is easily accessible and offers stunning architecture and serene surroundings.
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – Explore the bustling night market with plenty of stalls, shops, and food vendors. Many areas are wheelchair accessible, and it’s a great place to shop for souvenirs. It can get crowded, so take your time and be careful.
- Chiang Mai Zoo – The zoo offers shuttle services, making it easier for those with limited mobility to explore the various animal exhibits and beautiful grounds.
- Elephant Nature Parks – Visit one of the ethical elephant sanctuaries where you can learn about and interact with elephants in a respectful and accessible environment. Just be aware of the activity level, and ask if it includes a trek through the jungle with the elephants. You can learn more about my experience with the elephants here.
- Royal Park Rajapruek – This large botanical garden has accessible pathways and offers tram rides to explore the beautiful gardens and pavilions.
- Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center – Learn about the history and culture of Chiang Mai in this accessible museum with informative displays and exhibits.
- Riverside Dinner Cruise – Enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise on the Ping River, offering beautiful views of the city and delicious Thai cuisine in a comfortable setting.
- Doi Suthep-Pui National Park – Take a scenic drive up to the park and visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which offers a tram for easier access to the temple’s stunning viewpoints.
- Cooking Classes – Participate in a Thai cooking class designed for individuals with limited mobility. Many cooking schools offer accessible facilities and personalized assistance.
- Handicraft Villages – Visit local handicraft villages, such as Bo Sang Umbrella Village, to see traditional crafts being made. Many workshops are accessible, and you can purchase unique handmade items.
These options offer an assortment of activities catered to all levels of accessibility. Choose what interests you and you can contact me for assistance with booking excursions or activities by reaching me here.
FAQs About Chiang Mai
Why is Chiang Mai so popular?
Chiang Mai offers plenty of the Thai friendliness in a northern city that is usually cooler in temperature than Bangkok. The laid-back, more casual lifestyle appeals to many people and makes for a relaxing stay. Many expats have made Chiang Mai their home and love the culture, the people, and the amazing food.
Where to go in Chiang Mai Old Town?
You have such an array of options when visiting Old Town. Check out a multitude of temples, cultural sites, markets and museums. Street markets are a delight to explore and learn more about the people and their way of life. Don’t forget to try some street food. Learn more about Chiang Mai Old Town here.
Does Chiang Mai have good nightlife?
Chiang Mai offers a wide range of nightlife activities. From rooftop bars, fancy restaurants, or small clubs, there is something for everyone. There are also some nighttime excursions. Visit a gloriously lit temple, take a safari, or cruise on a river boat. And don’t forget the night markets where you can find all sorts of goodies and absorb the vibrant vibe of the city and its people. Check out some options below.
Temple Tour - visit 5 of the most significant temples of Chiang Mai
Night Safari - learn what the animals are up to at night.
River Cruise - travel by longboat to see Thai villages along the river
Night Market Tour - explore the city at night and try delicious street food
How many days in Chiang Mai is enough?
Give yourself a minimum of 4-5 days to explore the highlights of the city. Anything less than this will definitely have you missing many places you might want to visit. If you would like help booking a stay in Chiang Mai, send me a message for assistance.
In Conclusion – The Old City Wall Inn in Chiang Mai
I truly enjoyed my stay in Chiang Mai and part of the reason is due to feeling so comfortable at The Old City Wall Inn. As a solo female traveler, I never felt unsafe in the hotel or on the nearby street.
Staff were helpful and friendly, the location was amazing, and the overall sense was a place of feeling at home. Please don’t hesitate to send me any questions you may have by clicking here.
