An aesthete’s delight, Art Mai? Gallery Hotel oozes contemporary class, with zero whiff of stuffiness. It’s a hotel at heart, sure, but with a light fresh take on engaging with the arts, design is clearly the M.O.
Each floor is a love letter to art, designed and part-owned by some of Thailand’s most famous artists. Inside, everything great about Chiang Mai is on display. Sitting slap bang in the centre of Nimman, it has all the buzz you’d expect from such a trendy area, and the sweeping view of Doi Suthep from the oasis-esque rooftop pool is as gob-smacking as the paintings on the walls inside.
Why stay at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
For a fast tracked glimpse at the creative soul of the city, this is the place to stay. From the art gallery lobby to the artist signature rooms (each floor is designed by a different local artist – more on that later), down to the palate pleasing seasonal cocktails designed by the in-house mixologist in the hidden Surr bar, the vibes are absolutely Chiang Mai but with a fresh, fun, artistic take throughout.
Conceptualised by art lovers, for art lovers, there are quirky details at every turn. Artist’s rooms aside, this stay is just plain cool. From its brilliant location, the gripping design and delectable dining at Jarid Restaurant, Art Mai? Gallery Hotel quietly sits among the best mid-range hotels the city has to offer.
What are the rooms like at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
Art Mai? Gallery Hotel’s rooms range from playful to elegant, sleek to eccentric, and it’s these artist-envisioned dwellings that are the real selling point. Each floor designed by a different Thai artist, we ummed and ahhed between rooms designed by pop art colour icon Pod Modern Dog or the classical nude art-inspired boudoir by Sakwut Wisesmanee – but in the end we opted for floor three, conceived and curated by artist and fashion designer Jitsing Somboon, whose love of optical illusion is woven into the rooms furnishings, light fittings and magic-eye self portrait on the wall.
His room is opulent minimalism. Glass sheets supported by plastercast Corinthian columns make up the tables; exposed white piping is juxtaposed with black electrical wires; neon lights spell out where you are. All the while, a sumptuous freestanding bathtub sits in the corner of the room, shrouded by a Chinese screen, made for a warm welcome in an otherwise whitewashed room.
Nothing in any of the artist rooms is quite as it seems, yet that’s exactly the point. In his bio, shared as you stay, Somboon says ‘the inspiration for this room design came from street art and lively street atmosphere – in this room, one can touch, feel and be one with any part of the room.’
However, we couldn’t help but take a peek at the other artist rooms – all for the sake of this review, of course. Sakwut’s room is a classy affair – think art deco curves and dense wooden furnishings, finessed with his painted portraits adorning the walls. Upstairs is the bright playful ‘Love is all around’ theme from Chalit Nakpawan. On floor five, a colourful expressionist take on ‘Less is More’ by Thanachai Ujjin (known to his fans as Pod Modern Dog) while the sixth floor was designed by renowned illustrator, Pomme Chanchamrassang – a maximalist dream dotted with ornate decor and features.
Higher still, impressionist painter Charoon Boonsuan goes for all out luxury, taking in the sweeping mountain views and reflecting the city’s sumptuous natural environment These six floors of artist signature rooms provide the only real problem here – which artist to choose?
What are the best restaurants and bars at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
This thematically curated stay is home to one brilliant restaurant, Jarid, and a hidden speakeasy, Surr. Both are open for non-guests to visit and deserve to be on the wider Chiang Mai radar.
Firstly, Jarid Restaurant – which understandably won Restaurant Guru Best Service Award 2025 – is a delectable treat, where half-Italian Head Chef Khun Andre and his team led by Khun Neo serve mouth-watering takes on Thai plates. Expect elevated fresh flavours and some of the finest curries in town (we had the best honey-infused green curry of our lives) from the a la carte menu.
More arty fun is available here though, as each artist has added their signature to the menu with a dish that corresponds to their floor. The third floor platter by Jitsing Somboon is a Northern Thai feast starring herb laced spicy sausage and fermented sour sausage, served on a bed of seaweed, lime leaves, lettuce, ginger and cucumber.
Dinner comes with an extensive international wine list and an intoxicating list of craft brewed beers presented by local legends the Brewing Project (try their 4.7% Khun Phaen Plai Kaew pale ale) amongst other brewers, which Khun Neo gladly talks through, pairing beer and wine with every meal.
Almost-rooftop bar, Surr (short for Surrealism) was an unexpected delight, hidden behind a grandfather clock-entrance that reveals a lux lounge of velvet and mirror ball walls – trompe l’oeil galore.
Bar manager mixologist Khun James is a force to be reckoned with. His newly created sake-based cocktail, Wabi Sabi is a fruity journey through foam and flavour, but that’s not to say he can’t shake up the classics. His personal favourite, cosmopolitan, is not to be sniffed at, while his whisky knowledge is unparalleled. Put this bar on your date night list asap.
What are the facilities like at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
For a medium-sized stay, there’s a heck of a lot to entertain you in-house at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel. Surrounding the reception area you’ll be enveloped by the hotel’s very own art gallery – a spacious exhibition hub that instantly sets the tone for the hotel as an art institute.
The exhibitions – by local and international artists – change every few months; the current display by French painter Nathalie Laloue is a wealth of riveting work, large expressionist pieces with sweeping brushstrokes draw in the viewer. Laloue has also created a series of Chiang Mai pieces which are smaller sized and an ideal trip memento to invest in.
Through the art gallery, the hotel gym is humble but well-equipped (and always in use), with treadmills, an exercise bike, step machine and free weights. There’s also a snooker table in the reception area, for the competitive or skilled amongst you, alongside the hotel bar and Jarid Restaurant which make up the rest of the ground floor.
The top floor is shared between Surr cocktail bar and a sleek rooftop infinity pool – a great place to take some respite at the end of a busy day’s sightseeing and float away (metaphorically of course) as you gaze over the city’s glorious Doi Suthep mountain. And who could be blamed for pressing the handy ‘martini’ bell for some liquid inspiration while you lounge poolside and imagine your own landscape art piece.
What’s the area like around Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
Tourist favourite Nimman is a bustling grid of streets lined with some of the city’s best bars, restaurants, cafes and shopping malls. It’s a much more modern neighbourhood than the Old City (as the name suggests) so don’t expect monks and temples but do come with an empty stomach and space in your bag – no one leaves Nimman empty-handed.
Art Mai? Gallery Hotel is just a stone’s throw from One Nimman, the red brick mall packed with small boutiques and restaurants like Ginger Farm Kitchen, but also plays host to regular vintage markets and craft markets so it’s definitely one to check out.
For bigger name chain stores, or indeed a cheeky trip to the cinema, Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center is just five minutes from the hotel – perhaps even less if you get lucky with the Shibuya-style road crossing.
Coffee lovers need not look far either. Multi-award winning Roast8ry Coffee Lab sits opposite Art Mai? Gallery Hotel’s entrance and is always buzzing with locals and tourists who know their brews. If you prefer your brew hops based, Chit Hole is one of the city’s first and best craft beer brewers, is just a soi away. For the late night drinkers, New Town and Warm Up Cafe are where the cool kids hang; an easy stumble home.
Why should you book a stay at Art Mai? Gallery Hotel?
Aside from being extremely well-located, 10 minutes from the airport and in the heart of a buzzy neighbourhood, Art Mai? Gallery Hotel should top your list as there is never a dull moment in this bohemian nook.
In fact there’s so much art to take in, a dazzling rooftop infinity pool to lounge by and incredible choices on the in-house menu (whether wining, dining or cocktailing) that you could happily spend most of your day there. You won’t. But you could.
And, what really makes it glow are the staff. A tour de force who obviously take great pride in welcoming guests to their gem of a property.
The price tag is also extremely reasonable. So if affordability, location and vibes are what you’re after from Chiang Mai, then this is it.
Address: Art Mai? Gallery Hotel
21 Nimmana Haeminda Road Lane 3, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50200
Price per night: From approx B2,800 per night
Book now: (https://www.booking.com/hotel/th/art-mai-gallery-nimman-chiang-mai.en-gb.html?aid=2427673)
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