A central but quiet location; organised and helpful staff and tastefully decorated rooms at astonishingly low prices makes Awana our top choice in the niche between budget and flashpacker.

It’s not an easy one to find, lying down a narrow alley off already narrow Ratchadamnoen Soi 1. Soi 1 is the first turning on the right you’ll come across if heading down the Old City’s main drag from Tha Pae Gate. If you reach Vieng Mantra’s wide wooden frontage then you’ve gone too far. Double back and take the narrow entrance way immediately before which will lead you into Awana’s small garden and cafe area which backs onto reception.

Clean rooms and polished walls. Photo: Mark Ord

The alley is well-lit and full of pot plants, (check out the vertical bromeliad garden on the main wall as you arrive), and the 4-storey hotel building comes in a fetching, pastel turquoise. The hotel makes good use of very limited space and a small, covered pool has been slotted in next to their cafe.

Rooms themselves are immaculately turned out with good quality furniture and tasteful decor mixing polished concrete and brightly painted panels with a few northern Thai twists. Rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, air-con, cable TV, fridge and safety deposit box. When we enquired about the price we assumed we’d misheard and the rate was 1,600 baht rather than the actual 600 baht and indeed these rooms wouldn’t be out of place in a mid-range boutique hotel.

Escape the Chiang Mai heat. Photo: Mark Ord

Some even come with balconies for an extra 100 baht and another big plus is only minimal supplements for high season. Breakfast isn’t included—not surprising at those prices—but there is a cafe on site and of course there’s a host of choices within a short walk. The pool isn’t huge but it is a welcome addition and there is also a pleasant rooftop seating area with drinks available.

Awana House is less than a minute on foot from Tha Pae Gate and Ratchadamnoen Walking Street and just five minutes from Wat Phra Singh and, as it is tucked down the alley it ought to be as quiet come the evening. Overall very difficult to find fault; with Awana—an excellent address!