Hotels near Old Chiang Rai Airport are useful for travelers who want a quieter south-central base with easy road access, local running and recreation space, and shorter drives toward Central Chiangrai and southern attractions. Khamthana Colonial Hotel is the strongest location-first choice because it sits directly beside the old airport area. Laluna Hotel & Resort is the best resort-style option close to the former runway. Nai Ya Hotel gives travelers a newer boutique-style stay, The Mantrini Chiang Rai is best for combining the old airport with Central Chiangrai, and Grand Vista Hotel Chiangrai is the strongest full-service choice for drivers who value parking and major-road access.
The old airport is not Chiang Rai’s operating passenger airport. Commercial flights moved to Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport in 1992; the former airfield and runway are now used for recreation and local events. That makes this area a city-neighborhood intent, not an airport-transfer intent.
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Best hotels near Old Chiang Rai Airport at a glance
| Hotel | Approx. location | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khamthana Colonial Hotel | Beside the old airport | Closest practical hotel | Older property style |
| Laluna Hotel & Resort | About 0.5 km from old-airport golf/recreation area | Pool and garden resort | Not in Night Bazaar core |
| Nai Ya Hotel | About 1 km | Modern boutique-style stay | Short ride to old city |
| The Mantrini Chiang Rai | About 1.1 km | Old airport + Central Chiangrai | Less historic atmosphere |
| Grand Vista Hotel Chiangrai | About 1.2 km | Road trips and full-service comfort | Requires transport for Night Bazaar |
1. Khamthana Colonial Hotel — best for staying beside the old airport
Khamthana’s own address includes Sanambin Kao, literally the old-airport area, and current local hotel information describes the property as being beside Chiang Rai’s former airport. That makes it the clearest location-first choice for travelers who specifically want this neighborhood.
Choose Khamthana if you like the idea of early-morning walking or running near the former runway and want to avoid the densest central streets. The hotel also has an outdoor pool, spacious rooms and parking, which suits road trips and longer stays.
The trade-off is age. Recent reviews are mixed about maintenance and room condition, so check the newest guest feedback rather than relying only on older promotional photos.
Check Khamthana Colonial Hotel availability
2. Laluna Hotel & Resort — best resort-style option near the old airport
Current HopeGoo landmark data places Laluna around 0.48 km from the Old Airport Golf Course and Driving Range, which shares the broader former-airfield zone. Laluna is a much stronger leisure hotel than most properties in this neighborhood because it combines landscaped tropical gardens, a large pool and resort-style rooms.
Choose Laluna for couples or families who want a quieter atmosphere while staying close enough to central Chiang Rai for easy evening trips. The old airport area is useful for walking and road access, while the hotel grounds give you a real place to relax during the afternoon.
The trade-off is walkability to the Night Bazaar. It is possible to reach central attractions by short taxi or Grab, but the area is not as convenient on foot as Le Patta or Wiang Inn.
Check Laluna Hotel & Resort availability
3. Nai Ya Hotel — best modern stay near the former airfield
Current landmark results place Nai Ya Hotel roughly 0.97 km from the old-airport recreation and golf area. It offers a more contemporary atmosphere than Khamthana and works well for travelers who want a modern room, pool and easier access to the southern side of Chiang Rai.
Choose Nai Ya if you plan to drive toward Central Chiangrai, Wat Rong Khun or Singha Park. The location reduces the need to cross the densest central streets before starting southern day trips.
The trade-off is that you give up the old-town feeling of staying near Wat Phra Kaew or the Clock Tower. This is a logistics-first location rather than a heritage-first one.
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4. The Mantrini Chiang Rai — best for old airport plus shopping
HopeGoo currently places The Mantrini about 1.1 km from the old-airport golf and recreation zone. The hotel is also only a short distance from Central Chiangrai, giving it a practical dual purpose for travelers who want shopping, road access and the quieter southern city area.
Choose The Mantrini if you want a small hotel with a pool and garden atmosphere but still want supermarkets, shopping and restaurants nearby. It is particularly practical for travelers with a car.
The trade-off is evening tourism. The Clock Tower and Night Bazaar are better reached by Grab or taxi than on foot.
Check The Mantrini Chiang Rai availability
5. Grand Vista Hotel Chiangrai — best full-service road-trip base
Current landmark data places Grand Vista about 1.19 km from the Old Airport Golf Course area. It is one of the strongest options for drivers because it combines free parking, a pool, fitness centre, restaurant and immediate access to Central Chiangrai and major roads.
Choose Grand Vista if the old-airport neighborhood is part of a larger road-trip plan rather than your only destination. It works especially well for day trips south toward Wat Rong Khun and Singha Park.
The trade-off is that the hotel feels more commercial than historic. Travelers wanting old-town temples outside the door should stay farther north.
Check Grand Vista Hotel Chiangrai availability
What is Old Chiang Rai Airport today?
The former airport opened in the early twentieth century and stopped handling normal civil flights after the current airport opened in 1992. The runway and surrounding area are now used by locals for recreation, exercise and events, while part of the wider site includes golf facilities.
This makes the neighborhood useful for travelers who want more open space than the dense old city. It is also geographically convenient for Central Chiangrai and the roads leading south.
Old airport area vs Night Bazaar
Stay near the old airport for road access, parking and quieter surroundings. Stay near the Night Bazaar for evening food, Bus Terminal 1 and walkability. The two zones are close enough that a short Grab ride can connect them.
More Chiang Rai hotel guides
Compare this page with our Central Chiangrai hotels, hotels with free parking, Night Bazaar hotels, current-airport hotels and White Temple hotels.
Frequently asked questions
Does Old Chiang Rai Airport still have passenger flights?
No. Commercial passenger operations moved to the current Chiang Rai International Airport in 1992.
Can you walk or exercise at the old airport?
The former runway area is commonly used by locals for recreation and exercise, although access can change during events.
Which hotel is closest?
Khamthana Colonial Hotel sits directly in the old-airport neighborhood and is the clearest proximity-first choice.
Is the area good with a rental car?
Yes. It is one of the more practical Chiang Rai areas for drivers because roads are broader and parking is easier than in the tightest old-city streets.
Sources checked
- HopeGoo — hotels near Old Airport Golf Course and Driving Range
- Khamthana Hotel — official old-airport address
- Visit Thailand Today — Khamthana location context
- Old Chiang Rai Airport — history and present use
- Wikimedia Commons — old airport images
Access, hotel facilities and local event use can change. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current details before booking.