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Chiang Dao Hostel is set back off the main road, slightly to the north end of town, in a quiet garden. The caves are only a few kilometres ride away and the town does offer other sites which are conveniently accessed from such a central location. There are a couple of in-town eateries and cafes; it is handy for any markets taking place and a short cycle over the bridge takes you to the excellent Makham Pom Arts Space and the scenic Ping riverside.

Not your typical dorm. Photo: Mark Ord

The hostel is well–signposted from the main road, (just north of the bus station and nearly opposite the Chiang Dao Bakery), where you’ll need to turn into a yard behind a carpentry store. From here you’ll emerge into an attractive little garden with a mint green painted reception and cafe to your left, a row of rooms and chalets to your right and paddy-fields beyond. This peaceful location was well chosen.

It was very new when we visited in early 2018, so all very clean, neat and tidy but we will warn you decor throughout is decidedly on the kitsch side. If the idea of flower and butterfly wall stickers or an entire “Hello Kitty” room puts you off then you’d best stick to the bog-standard Thai sales rep ambience of Chiang Dao Inn. Regardless of decor, options are all very comfortable and good value and go from a dormitory through to fan and air-con chalets. The dorm is simple but spotless and has proper beds—no bunks—with clean Doraemon duvets and wooden trellis partitions between each one.

Plenty of room to relax. Photo: Mark Ord

The attractive, varnished wood finished, en-suite chalet was our pick of the bunch while for the hot season there are spacious fan or air-con rooms in a small, modern block. Sleeping three or four persons though, they do negate the need for a dorm for anyone other than solo travellers. Colour schemes aside, the rooms are well-appointed and the larger one even comes with a padded sofa. There’s also cable TV, WiFi and simple but sparkling bathrooms.

Staff members were helpful with some English spoken; there’s a small, basic cafe on site for drinks or (non-inclusive) breakfasts and the usual 100 baht and 300 baht daily rates for bicycle or motorbike hire. Overall this is a well-conceived and thoughtfully executed property and makes for an excellent new addition to Chiang Dao’s accommodation options.