"Chiang Rai has no shortage of hotels. I've stayed at many of them. This is the one I'll be back to.
Kahavadi Chiang Rai is brand new — Hilton's first property in Northern Thailand, opened in July 2026 — and it feels like it was built for this spot on the Mae Kok River, not just dropped into it. The whole place is a contemporary take on a Lanna merchant's residence, and you feel that the moment you walk into the grand lobby.
I stayed in the 1-bedroom suite for $150 a night, overlooking the pool, and it was worth every dollar. The regular rooms are $100, but the suite is the move. More space, a proper living area, and a balcony made for slow mornings looking out over the water.
My favourite moment of the day was the walk down to breakfast. You come down the big staircase, and the river just opens up in front of you. Breakfast at Larderley was the best I've had in Chiang Rai — and that's saying something after this many stays here. It's the kind of breakfast you don't rush.
The pool was great, quiet and beautifully set, and being right on the river gives the whole property a calm you don't get in town. It's peaceful without feeling remote.
One honest flaw, and it's fixable: when it rains, water stands on the balcony. It isn't sloped toward the drain, so they need to add an additional floor drain. It didn't ruin the stay, but it's the one detail a hotel this good should sort out.
Book the suite, take your time at breakfast, and watch the river in the morning. I'll be back."
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