Where to Stay in Chiang Rai With Kids: Best Hotels Near the Main Attractions

When planning a family trip to Chiang Rai, I'd spend less time worrying about the attractions and more time thinking about where to stay.

Unlike Chiang Mai, where you'll probably spend most of your day exploring different parts of the city, Chiang Rai is much more focused. Most families visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, Red Temple, Giant Buddha and Lalitta Café in a day or less, which means your hotel becomes a much bigger part of the overall experience.

Quick Answer: Where Is the Best Area to Stay in Chiang Rai With Kids?

For most families, I'd recommend staying in or around Chiang Rai city centre, particularly along the riverside. This gives you easy access to the main attractions while still providing plenty of restaurants, markets and family-friendly facilities nearby.

For us, The Riverie Chiang Rai was the perfect base. It combined a convenient location with waterslides, a lazy river, an indoor play area and enough facilities that the hotel became an attraction in its own right. If you're travelling with children and want a hotel that feels like part of the holiday rather than just somewhere to sleep, The Riverie Chiang Rai is worth having on your shortlist. The pools, lazy river and riverside setting ended up being just as memorable as some of the attractions we visited.

This guide covers the best areas to stay in Chiang Rai with kids, who each area suits, and the hotels I'd consider based on our own experience and research.

Just a quick note: some links throughout this guide are affiliate links. This doesn't affect the price you pay, and we only recommend hotels we'd happily book ourselves.

Riverside Chiang Rai: Best Overall Area for Families

If you're only staying one or two nights, this is where I'd focus first.

The riverside area gives you easy access to:

• The Riverie Chiang Rai

• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

• Local restaurants

• The Blue Temple

• Short drives to the White Temple and Lalitta Café

What I liked most about this area was the balance. It felt relaxed without feeling isolated, and it was easy to move between sightseeing and hotel downtime. This is also where you'll find what I consider the best family hotel in Chiang Rai.

The Riverie Chiang Rai

This is where we stayed, and I'd happily book it again.

After visiting the temples, Joshua could spend the afternoon moving between the waterslides, lazy river and pools while we relaxed. That balance of sightseeing and downtime was one of the biggest reasons Chiang Rai worked so well for our family.

What surprised me most was the value. Family hotels with this level of facilities often come with a premium price tag, but The Riverie felt very reasonable. When we visited, standard twin rooms were available from around £60 per night, while family suites were around £115 per night. Breakfast was available as an add-on, and there was also the option to include dinner packages if you preferred the convenience of eating at the hotel.

For families, I think the real value comes from how much use you'll get from the facilities. This wasn't a hotel where the pool was an afterthought. The lazy river, waterslides, indoor play area and riverside setting meant Joshua was just as excited about returning to the hotel as he was about visiting the attractions.

If you're travelling with school-age children, I'd definitely put The Riverie on your shortlist. It's one of those hotels that made the entire Chiang Rai experience work better for our family, rather than simply giving us somewhere to sleep.

Read our full The Riverie Chiang Rai Review: Is This the Best Family Hotel in Chiang Rai?

Other Riverside Hotels to Consider

If The Riverie is not quite what you are after, there are several other well-regarded riverside hotels that still provide a convenient base for exploring Chiang Rai's main attractions.

Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort is probably the closest alternative if you're looking for resort-style facilities. Set on the banks of the Kok River, it offers spacious grounds, large pools and a more upmarket feel while still being a short drive from the city centre.

The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa is another popular family option. The riverside setting feels peaceful and secluded, yet you're still close enough to reach the Night Bazaar, Blue Temple and other attractions without spending long in the car.

For families looking for a more budget-friendly riverside stay, Nak Nakara Hotel is a good option. While it doesn't have the resort-style facilities of The Riverie, it offers family rooms, a swimming pool and a very convenient location close to central Chiang Rai.

That said, if you're travelling with children and expect to spend some downtime at the hotel, I still think The Riverie offers the best balance of location and family facilities. The lazy river, waterslides and indoor play area gave Joshua something to look forward to after sightseeing, which made the entire Chiang Rai experience more enjoyable for all of us.

Near the White Temple: Best for Sightseeing

Some families choose to stay closer to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). The main advantage is obvious. You'll be close to Chiang Rai's most famous attraction and can arrive first thing in the morning before tour buses start arriving. However, this wouldn't be my first choice, given it is only 20 minutes drive from the riverside hotels.

The White Temple area is more practical than exciting. You'll spend less time driving, but you'll also be further away from restaurants, markets and many of Chiang Rai's family-friendly facilities.

This area generally works best for:

• Short overnight stays

• Couples

• Families focused purely on sightseeing

• Visitors who want to arrive at the White Temple early

If you're visiting primarily for the temples, see Chiang Rai Temples With Kids: Which Ones Are Actually Worth Visiting?

Hotel Options Near the White Temple

If your main priority is sightseeing and arriving at the White Temple before the crowds, there are a few good options nearby:

• Budget: 777 Food & Bed – simple, affordable and close to the temple.

• Mid-Range: Manonnee Hotel – simple, affordable hotel within a short drive of the White Temple.

• Best Overall: Doowall Hotel – probably the most popular option in the area, with attractive gardens, modern rooms and family-friendly facilities.

Is Staying Near the White Temple Worth It?

Personally, I don't think most families need to stay here.

The White Temple is only one attraction, and you'll probably spend less than an hour there. Staying near the temple saves a little driving time but means you're further from the Night Bazaar, Blue Temple, riverside restaurants and the larger family-friendly hotels.

For us, staying riverside and driving to the White Temple first thing in the morning felt like the better compromise. We enjoyed the attraction without sacrificing the hotel facilities that made Chiang Rai so enjoyable for kids.

Chiang Rai City Centre: Best for Restaurants and Markets

If you prefer being within walking distance of cafés, restaurants and local markets, staying in the city centre can be a good option.

This area gives you:

• Easy access to Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

• Local street food

• Shopping

• Cafés

• Restaurants

The trade-off is that most city centre hotels focus less on family facilities and more on convenience.

If your children are older and you're less concerned about pools and waterslides, the city centre can be a great base. For younger children, I'd personally still lean towards the riverside area.

Popular hotel options include:

• Budget: Work Den Chiang Rai – modern, affordable and well located.

• Mid-Range: Nak Nakara Hotel – family rooms, swimming pool and easy access to the Night Bazaar.

• Higher-End: Sooknirund Hotel – stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the city with larger rooms and a more premium feel.

The trade-off is that most city centre hotels focus more on convenience than family facilities. If your children are older and you're more interested in restaurants and markets, this can be a great base. For younger children who will get maximum use from pools, waterslides and play areas, I'd still lean towards the riverside area.

Near Singha Park: Best for Resort-Style Stays

If you're planning to spend more time enjoying your hotel than sightseeing, you could also look at accommodation near Singha Park.

This area offers:

• Open countryside views

• More space

• Easier access to Singha Park attractions

• Quieter surroundings

Hotel options include:

• Budget: Rai Saeng Arun Resort – peaceful countryside setting with larger rooms and gardens.

• Mid-Range: Phowadol Resort & Spa – spacious grounds, family rooms and a large swimming pool.

• Higher-End: Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa – one of the region's most impressive resorts, with mountain views, large suites and multiple pools.

The trade-off is that you'll spend more time driving to attractions such as the White Temple and Blue Temple. For most first-time visitors, I'd still recommend staying riverside, but if your priority is a relaxing resort surrounded by nature, this area offers a very different side of Chiang Rai.

Looking for more than just temples? For a closer look at attractions such as Singha Park, Lalitta Café, the Giant Buddha and the family experiences we enjoyed most, see Is Chiang Rai Worth Visiting With Kids? The Attractions We'd Prioritise, where I break down the sights I think are genuinely worth your time as a family.

How Many Nights Do You Need in Chiang Rai?

For most families, I'd recommend:

One Night

Perfect if you're:

• Travelling between Chiang Mai and another destination

• Focused on the temples

• Short on time

Two Nights

Probably the sweet spot.

This allows you to:

• Explore the temples without rushing

• Visit Lalitta Café

• Enjoy your hotel facilities

• Consider Singha Park or the Golden Triangle

That's essentially what we did, and it gave us enough time to enjoy Chiang Rai without feeling like we were constantly moving.

If you're trying to decide how Chiang Rai fits into a wider northern Thailand itinerary, see Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai With Kids: A 3-Day Northern Thailand Itinerary.

Final Verdict: Where Should Families Stay in Chiang Rai?

For most families visiting Chiang Rai for the first time, I'd recommend staying in the riverside area, particularly if you're planning to visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, Giant Buddha and Lalitta Café.

If your priority is:

• Family facilities and downtime → Stay riverside, we recommend The Riverie Chiang Rai

• Restaurants, markets and walkability → Stay closer to Chiang Rai city centre

• Temple-focused sightseeing → Consider staying nearer the White Temple

• A quieter resort-style escape → Look at hotels around Singha Park and the surrounding countryside

Ultimately, I don't think most families need to overthink Chiang Rai accommodation. The city is relatively compact, the main attractions are easy to reach, and you're unlikely to spend hours travelling across town.

What made the biggest difference for us wasn't the exact location — it was choosing a hotel that gave Joshua something to enjoy outside of sightseeing. That's why The Riverie stood out. The pools, waterslides, lazy river and indoor play area helped turn Chiang Rai from a simple temple stop into one of our favourite parts of northern Thailand.

If you're travelling with children and want a hotel that balances sightseeing with family downtime, I'd start there and work backwards. For us, it was the perfect base for exploring Chiang Rai.

Looking back, would I stay at The Riverie again?

Absolutely.

It's one of the few hotels from our Thailand trip that I remember almost as clearly as the attractions themselves. Between the lazy river, waterslides, indoor play area and riverside setting, it gave us the perfect balance of sightseeing and downtime.

If your family enjoys having a hotel that offers something to do when you're not exploring, I'd definitely have The Riverie on your shortlist. It's the kind of place that can turn a one-night stop in Chiang Rai into somewhere you wish you'd stayed a little longer.

FAQs About Staying in Chiang Rai With Kids

What is the best area to stay in Chiang Rai with kids?

For most families, I'd recommend the riverside area. It offers easy access to Chiang Rai's main attractions while also putting you close to restaurants, markets and family-friendly hotels such as The Riverie Chiang Rai. The combination of sightseeing and downtime works particularly well for families with school-age children.

Is it better to stay near the White Temple or in Chiang Rai city centre?

If the White Temple is your main reason for visiting Chiang Rai, staying nearby can help you arrive before the crowds. However, most families only spend 30–45 minutes at the temple, so the city centre or riverside areas usually offer a better overall experience with easier access to restaurants, markets and other attractions.

How many nights should families stay in Chiang Rai?

For most families, 1–2 nights is enough. This gives you time to visit the White Temple, Blue Temple, Giant Buddha and Lalitta Café, while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy your hotel and slow the pace down a little.

We found two nights provided the best balance between sightseeing and downtime. If you're wondering how Chiang Rai fits into a wider northern Thailand route, see Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai With Kids: A 3-Day Northern Thailand Itinerary, where I share exactly how we combined both destinations into one family-friendly trip.

Is The Riverie Chiang Rai worth it for families?

For us, yes. The waterslides, lazy river, indoor play area and riverside location made it feel like part of the holiday rather than simply a place to sleep. If you're travelling with children who enjoy hotel facilities as much as sightseeing, it's one of the strongest family hotel options in Chiang Rai.

If you'd like to see the rooms, facilities, restaurants and what we thought worked particularly well for families, read The Riverie Chiang Rai Review: Is This the Best Family Hotel in Chiang Rai?. It ended up being one of the few hotels from our Thailand trip that Joshua still talks about long after we got home.

What attractions are close to the best family hotels in Chiang Rai?

Most family-friendly hotels provide easy access to attractions such as the White Temple, Blue Temple, Giant Buddha, Red Temple, Lalitta Café and Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. Families looking for additional activities may also want to consider Singha Park or a visit to the Golden Triangle.

If you're trying to decide which attractions are actually worth prioritising, see Is Chiang Rai Worth Visiting With Kids? The Attractions We'd Prioritise, where I break down the sights we genuinely enjoyed, what worked best for Joshua and whether I think Chiang Rai is worth adding to a family Thailand itinerary.

plan your TRIP TO chiang rai

If you’re planning your family trip to Chiang Rai, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.