The Empress Premier Chiang Mai
by the TopOfHotel team
The Empress Premier is the one we'd book for genuinely wide rooms and old-school classic luxury — best when you're traveling as a family and want real space, not a squeezed box.
The Empress Premier is the one we'd book for genuinely wide rooms and old-school classic luxury — best when you're traveling as a family and want real space, not a squeezed box.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
We'll be honest up front: among Chiang Mai's luxury hotels, The Empress Premier Chiang Mai isn't the sleekest or most modern. What it delivers is the thing a lot of travelers actually want and rarely find — rooms that are genuinely wide. Open the door and the first feeling is space. There's room for kids to move around and an easy corner to drop the suitcases without anyone climbing over them. The decor is classic luxury done with good-quality materials — wood furniture and warm fabrics that give it the cared-for feel of an established hotel. The bathroom is roomy too, with the tub and rain shower in clearly separate zones, and the bedding is soft. It's a room the whole family can settle into without anyone feeling boxed in.
Food and amenities
The shared spaces cover a family stay well. There's an outdoor pool for the kids, a gym for anyone who keeps a routine, a spa to unwind, and a restaurant whose breakfast gets credit for its range — Western, American and Asian dishes all on offer. The detail that wins over road-trippers is the large car park: plenty of room, no stress, and an easy setup if you're renting a car to tour Chiang Mai and the provinces nearby.
Location and getting there
The hotel sits in the Chang Khlan district, near the Ping River and a cluster of the city's main sights. A few minutes by car puts you at the Night Bazaar (about 1.5 km) and the old town, while Tha Phae Gate is roughly 2.2 km away. Reaching Nimman does take a short drive — about 4 km. The big plus is how close it is to Chiang Mai Airport, around an 11-minute drive, which is ideal if you've got an early flight or a late arrival.
Things to know before booking
The styling is classic, not contemporary — if bold modern design is what you're after, this won't be your match. Reaching Nimman and the café district means a ride rather than a walk, so factor in a car or a songthaew. And parts of the building and decor do show the hotel's age. None of these are dealbreakers for the space you get, but go in expecting comfort over cutting-edge.
Our take
The Empress Premier is the one we'd point families and couples to when space and comfort matter more than the trendiest look. If you've ever stayed somewhere in Chiang Mai and felt the room was too tight to relax in, we recommend this with confidence — you get wide rooms, a warm atmosphere, and full amenities at a price that lines up with what you actually get.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Rooms are noticeably larger than the Chiang Mai average — real room to open suitcases and let kids move around.
- Classic-luxury decor done with good-quality materials, wood furniture and warm fabrics that feel cared-for.
- Warm, established-hotel atmosphere that suits families traveling together.
- Outdoor pool, gym, and a spa downstairs, plus a breakfast praised for its range of Western, American and Asian dishes.
- Steady guest scores — a 9.1 on both Agoda and Booking, with 9.0 on Trip.
- The look is classic rather than modern — if you want bold contemporary design, this won't be your style.
- You'll need a ride to reach Nimman and the café district, about 4 km away.
- Parts of the building and decor show the hotel's age.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Chiang Mai
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Insider Tips
- Ask specifically for a Premier room — it's clearly wider than the standard category and the right call if you're traveling with family.
- The car park is large, so this is an easy base if you're renting a car to explore Chiang Mai and the nearby provinces.
- It's close to the airport, which helps a lot if you have an early flight or a late arrival.