For the first few days of our stay in Chiang Mai, Steve and I stayed at Meliá Chiang Mai. The hotel is located right by the Night Bazaar, just outside the Old Town, and the location worked really well for us. We were within walking distance of the Old Town, so we could spend the day exploring Chiang Mai’s lively center and still return to a quieter part of the city in the evening.
The hotel is modern, bright, and elegant, and even though it’s one of the larger hotels in Chiang Mai, it has a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
The pool area is lovely, with plenty of loungers and several cabanas, so even during the busiest part of the afternoon, there were always places to sit. Right next to the pool you’ll find the fitness center, and there’s also a spa if you’re in the mood to treat yourself.
If you’re considering staying at Meliá Chiang Mai, I’d definitely recommend booking a The Level room. Access to The Level Lounge was one of the things that impressed me the most during our stay.
The Room
Our room was decorated in soft, neutral colors with a beautiful bathroom and a wonderfully comfortable bed. By the window was a cozy sitting area with a large sofa and lots of cushions. There wasn’t a desk, but the sitting area worked surprisingly well whenever I needed to get some work done on my laptop.
The Restaurants
The hotel has several restaurants, each with its own character, but they all share Meliá’s 360° Cuisine philosophy. The chefs work closely with local producers and use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Many of the ingredients are grown without chemicals and transported only short distances, and the kitchen also aim to make full use of every ingredient they bring in, helping to reduce food waste.
Laan Na Kitchen
Breakfast is served at Laan Na Kitchen, a large, bright restaurant with a huge selection of both Thai and international dishes. Since Meliá is a Spanish hotel brand, there are also several Spanish specialties on the breakfast buffet.
There were churros served with either hot chocolate or dulce de leche, and I got to try torrijas, the Spanish version of French toast, for the first time.
There was also a khao soi station where you could order freshly made khao soi, and it was really good.
And then there was the orange juice machine. I absolutely loved it. There was one in the restaurant and another one in The Level Lounge, and with the push of a button it squeezed fresh oranges into a glass of juice. I would love to have one of those at home.
The Level Lounge
If you’ve booked a The Level room, you can choose to have breakfast in the lounge instead of the main buffet at Laan Na Kitchen. The buffet is smaller, but you can order a selection of à la carte dishes from the menu.
I had the best Eggs Benedict of the trip at The Level Lounge. It was served with smoked salmon and perfectly silky hollandaise sauce. The coffee was excellent too, and the whole experience felt much more relaxed and exclusive than having breakfast at the main buffet, which, mind you, was a very good hotel buffet, but the Level Lounge was, well, next level.
In the afternoon, afternoon tea is served, followed later by cocktail hour with cocktails, wine, and a selection of small bites.
If I stayed at Meliá Chiang Mai again, I would definitely book a The Level room. Access to the lounge, together with the excellent breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktail hour, really added something special to the stay. Plenty of hotels offer club or lounge access, and it’s often not worth paying extra for, but The Level at Meliá Chiang Mai is in a league of its own.
Mai Restaurant and MAI The Sky Bar
One evening we tried the hotel’s signature menu at Mai Restaurant, located on the top floor. It was an excellent dinner with innovative takes on Northern Thai flavors, and the panoramic views over Chiang Mai made the experience even better.
Right above the restaurant is MAI The Sky Bar. We went up there several evenings to watch the sun set over Chiang Mai with a couple of cocktails and some tapas, and it was wonderful.
Is Meliá Chiang Mai Right for You?
Meliá Chiang Mai is a great choice for anyone looking for a comfortable stay in Chiang Mai.
The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, and despite its size, the hotel feels more intimate and boutique-like than you might expect. During our stay, most of the guests seemed to be couples. On several occasions we bumped into staff delivering room service cakes, and one of them told us there were 17 honeymooners staying at the hotel that weekend.
At the same time, the hotel seems surprisingly family friendly. There’s a huge indoor play area that occupies most of one floor, as well as a separate children’s pool. I won’t consider myself a particularly kids friendly person, but the hotel strikes a really nice balance, welcoming families without taking away from the peaceful atmosphere.
Book your stay at Meliá Chiang Mai
