Review: Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort | Marriott Bonvoy
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Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort earns an 8 out of 10: flawless service, a spectacular infinity pool facing the Mae Kok River and excellent value for money. The only drawback is a large but sparsely furnished room that could use a refresh. I recommend it to you as a base for exploring northern Thailand.
After the bustle of Chiang Mai, the peaceful riverside setting of Le Méridien Chiang Rai makes it an ideal place to unwind. We originally planned 3 nights, but our stay at this resort was so restorative that we ended up adding one more night! It is also the perfect location for exploring the region and the famous Golden Triangle.
In this detailed review, I share my complete experience: booking and choosing between Marriott Bonvoy points and paying cash, arrival, room with a terrace overlooking the pool, restaurants, spa and surroundings.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
Booking: Points or Cash?
For our 4 nights at Le Méridien Chiang Rai, we chose a Deluxe Garden View Room. Paying with points can usually be worthwhile at this hotel, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a cash rate of around C$200 per night.
After running the numbers, using our Marriott Bonvoy points for these 4 nights made no sense compared with that very reasonable price. So we chose to pay cash without hesitation!
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort |
| City | Chiang Rai, Thailand |
| Points cost (per night) | Varies by date (Marriott Bonvoy dynamic pricing) |
| Payment method | Cash, around C$200 per night |
| Room booked | Deluxe Garden View Room |
| Room received | Grand Room with terrace, pool view (upgrade) |
| Status level | Titanium Elite |
| Brand | Le Méridien (Marriott Bonvoy) |
| Rating | 8/10 |
Location and Arrival at the Hotel
Located in the quiet Rop Wiang area, Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort is very easy to reach, although you will need to arrange transportation. The hotel is about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Chiang Rai Airport (CEI).
If, like me, you arrive by bus from Chiang Mai instead, the main downtown bus terminal (Terminal 1) is just as easy to reach, only 10 minutes from the property by taxi or Grab!
Check-In and Lobby
The welcome at Le Méridien Chiang Rai was especially warm. The large open-air lobby, which opens onto the grounds and the river, immediately offers a beautiful, soothing view. Right away, staff handed us a fresh welcome juice and a face towel to freshen up, a much-appreciated touch after the trip.
To top it all off, we received an upgrade at check-in to a larger room with a terrace offering a lovely view of the pool.
The Room: Grand Room with Terrace, Pool View
The space is large, almost too large given how little furniture it has, which makes the room feel somewhat lacking in warmth. A slight musty smell was also noticeable at the entrance.
Despite that, several strengths stand out: the bed is very comfortable and the view of the pool from the terrace is simply magnificent. As for amenities, the bathroom is well equipped, although we did have a drainage problem in the shower. All in all, a nice, spacious room with real assets, but one that could use a few adjustments.
The spacious room and its bathroom.
The terrace and its view of the pool.
Restaurants and Dining
The resort has three dining venues, from the breakfast buffet to the riverside Italian restaurant.
Favola Chiang Rai
Open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., this riverside restaurant serves authentic and contemporary Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. I especially enjoyed the service and the dessert!
Latest Recipe
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., this restaurant offers international cuisine as well as Thai and Lanna specialties. It also serves an impressive and delicious breakfast buffet.
The breakfast buffet at Latest Recipe.
Latitude 19
Open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, this lounge offers a selection of specialty coffees and light refreshments, as well as cocktails and wine in the evening.
Pool and Amenities
The Pool
Set on two levels, the infinity pool that stretches toward the river is without a doubt the highlight of the resort. Spacious, elegant and unpretentious, it offers a simply magnificent setting to relax in the water while taking in the surrounding natural scenery.
The infinity pool and its majestic trees.
The Spa and Fitness Centre
The spa experience was truly remarkable. The space is very well designed and simple, offering a soothing setting with no fuss. The traditional Thai massage I received there was simply incredible: sometimes painful during the deep stretches, but so restorative for the body!
As for the fitness centre, although we did not get a chance to try it, it is a modern and very well-maintained space that seems fully equipped for a workout.
Around the Hotel
The resort's location has real charm: ideally set back from the city bustle for complete calm by the river, without being isolated. Getting to downtown Chiang Rai is very easy.
The Grab app makes getting around much simpler when visiting the region's must-see sights, including the stunning Blue Temple and the famous White Temple. The resort is also an excellent starting point for a day trip to the Golden Triangle.
The resort's gardens, ponds and buildings, from daytime to dusk.
To plan the rest of your itinerary, check out our Thailand travel guide.
Pros and Cons of Le Méridien Chiang Rai
Strengths
- Warm service: very professional, from check-in to the spa, the pool and the restaurants
- Exceptional setting: majestic trees, river views and a two-level infinity pool
- Remarkable spa: an incredible traditional Thai massage in a soothing setting
- Value for money: a cash rate of around C$200 per night during our stay
Weaknesses
- Sparsely furnished room: large, but the lack of furniture takes away some warmth
- Damp smell: a slight musty smell was noticeable in the room
- Minor issues: a drainage problem in the shower
Overall Impression and Final Rating
In conclusion, my stay at Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort was an absolutely fantastic experience. Even though the room could feel slightly tired at times, the team's flawless service, the spectacular pool with its soothing river view and the excellent dining options more than make up for it.
It is the ideal place to relax without pretension in an enchanting setting, with simply perfect value for money. I recommend this property without hesitation to anyone looking for an elegant and affordable haven of peace for exploring northern Thailand. I give it a rating of 8 out of 10.
To fund this kind of stay with points, start by comparing the best credit cards in Canada, then our selection of Marriott Bonvoy cards, which help you earn points quickly for this kind of trip.
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Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points and stay for free at the program's hotels around the world, the most direct card is the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card. If you own a business, the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card plays the same role. You can also earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
To learn all about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points for free hotel stays, follow our guides:
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
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Le Méridien Chiang Rai: Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does a night at Le Méridien Chiang Rai cost?
The points price changes with your dates, because Marriott Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing. During our stay, the cash rate was around C$200 per night, which made paying cash the better deal. Before you book, always compare the number of points requested with the cash rate for the same dates.
Where is Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort located?
The resort is at 221/2 Moo 20, Kwaewai Road, in the Rop Wiang area, on the banks of the Kok River (Mae Kok). Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) is about 5 km away, and you can reach the downtown bus terminal in about 10 minutes by taxi or Grab.
Do the rooms have a river view?
Yes, if you book it. Marriott offers the Deluxe room with either a garden view or a river view. We had booked the garden view and were then upgraded to a Grand Room with a terrace overlooking the pool: if the river matters to you, book the river view directly rather than counting on an upgrade.
Do you need to book the spa at Le Méridien Chiang Rai ahead?
Yes. The spa works by appointment only, daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to Marriott. We recommend booking your Thai massage as soon as you arrive, especially if you want a late-afternoon slot after a day of sightseeing.
Is the gym at Le Méridien Chiang Rai open at night?
Yes. The fitness centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it is free for hotel guests. You will find Technogym equipment, treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals and free weights.
Is Le Méridien Chiang Rai dog-friendly?
Yes, with conditions. Marriott lists a dog-friendly package limited to first-floor Deluxe Garden View rooms. Contact the hotel before you book to confirm the fees and house rules for your pet.
What is there to see around Le Méridien Chiang Rai?
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) and the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) are easy to reach by Grab. The resort is also a good starting point for a day trip to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.
Which credit card should you use for a stay at Le Méridien Chiang Rai?
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card earns you 5 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on everything else, for a $120 annual fee. Every year after your first Cardmember anniversary, it also gives you a free night worth up to 35,000 points. Keep in mind its 2.5% foreign transaction fee if the hotel charges you in baht.