Review: Marriott Chiang Mai | Marriott Bonvoy
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I give the Marriott Chiang Mai 9 out of 10: renovated rooms, an M Club lounge with mountain views, the Night Bazaar steps away and Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) 15 minutes by taxi. The one drawback is that the hotel is very busy. If you are heading to northern Thailand with Marriott Bonvoy points, it is an excellent home base.
We wanted a comfortable place that would let us explore all around the city during a 5-night stay in northern Thailand, and the Marriott Chiang Mai fully delivered. Between its strategic location for day trips and its proximity to the bustling night markets, the hotel turned out to be the perfect home base!
In this detailed review, I share my complete experience: booking with Marriott Bonvoy points, arrival, room with mountain views, restaurants, infinity pool and surroundings.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
Booking and Points Rates
For our 5-night stay, we booked a Deluxe King Room with points, the entry-level category with a city view. We were upgraded to a Premium King Room with a mountain view. When we booked (about 6 months ahead), the value per point was very attractive. On top of that, when you pay with points, the 5th night is free, so we decided to pay for the entire stay with points.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Marriott Chiang Mai |
| City | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Points cost (per night) | 30,000 to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points depending on dates, when we booked |
| Points benefit | 5th night free on 5 consecutive nights booked with points |
| Booking | Deluxe King Room, paid with points |
| Room type | Premium King Room, mountain view |
| Status level | Titanium Elite |
| Chain | Marriott Hotels (Marriott Bonvoy) |
| Rating | 9/10 |
Location and Arrival at the Hotel
Located in the Night Bazaar area, the Marriott Chiang Mai is very easy to reach, and that is what sets it apart from other hotels. It is only 15 minutes by taxi from Chiang Mai Airport (CNX), which is perfect after a long-haul or short-haul flight! Once you are there, you can get around on foot or very easily with the Grab app.
Check-In and Lobby
As soon as we walked into the Marriott Chiang Mai, the tone was set: the lobby is simply majestic and clearly freshly renovated. The flip side is that the place is very busy, and the crowds are hard to miss!
Service at arrival is very professional and formal, if a little impersonal given the crowds. On the plus side, check-in was very quick and we were able to head straight to the lounge to relax. The only hiccup: staff offered to bring our luggage up to the room, but we had to wait a good hour before it arrived. In hindsight, I would have carried it up myself!
The freshly renovated entrance and lobby.
The M Club lounge and its view of the city and mountains.
The Room: Premium King Room, Mountain View
We fell for the room right away. Beautifully renovated, it offers an exceptional level of comfort, with thoughtful touches prepared by the team to celebrate our anniversary. The atmosphere is especially pleasant, with an impeccably fresh scent.
Special mention for the sofa set up by the window: an ideal spot to watch the city below and take in the splendid mountain view. Flawless service that guarantees a wow effect!
The Premium King Room, its anniversary touches and its mountain view.
Restaurants and Dining
The hotel has four restaurants, from the breakfast buffet to the Italian restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide.
The hotel's dining rooms and its dessert display.
Gaj Kitchen and Bar
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., this restaurant serves international cuisine and specialties from northern Thailand. This is where the breakfast buffet is served, with a wide variety of options. Special mention for the Chinese and Thai food stations: simply delicious!
Favola
Open daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., this Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine made with top-quality Italian ingredients and local products.
Han The Chinese Cuisine
Open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., this restaurant serves traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine, featuring Cantonese, Sichuan and Shanghai specialties.
The Plaii Eatery Cafe & Bar
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., this restaurant offers international cuisine and a modern café-bar concept, with an indoor space and an outdoor terrace.
Pool and Amenities
Outdoor Pool
Set up high, the infinity pool offers a splendid view of the surrounding mountains. The layout is especially well done, with loungers placed right in the water to cool off and others set out on the sunny deck.
The area gets busy with lots of families, which makes it a very lively spot and especially fun for kids.
Fitness Centre and Spa
The hotel offers a fully modernized and renovated fitness centre and spa. Although we did not get a chance to try the treatments or the gym equipment during our stay, the facilities look very well maintained, bright and fully equipped.
Around the Hotel
The Marriott Chiang Mai's location is first-rate! From the hotel, you can easily reach the Old City on foot or with a short ride, which lets you visit the city's main temples, such as Wat Chedi Luang.
Coffee lovers will also be delighted, as the neighbourhood is full of specialty coffee shops, perfect for a treat. In addition, the Grab app makes it very easy to get anywhere outside the city, whether you are heading to Doi Suthep National Park or going on an excursion into the surrounding mountains. It is definitely a strategic location for exploring Chiang Mai with ease.
To plan the rest of your itinerary, check out our Thailand travel guide. And if you are torn between several hotels in the city, also read our review of the Meliá Chiang Mai.
Pros and Cons of the Marriott Chiang Mai
Strengths
- Stunning lounge: a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains
- Breakfast: a generous and very varied buffet
- Renovated rooms: exceptional comfort and a splendid mountain view
- Location: steps from the Night Bazaar and the Old City
Weaknesses
- Impersonal service: professional, but fairly formal
- Crowds: some service delays, especially for luggage and at breakfast
Overall Impression and Final Rating
Overall, our stay at the Marriott Chiang Mai was a great experience, thanks to its beautiful modern rooms and unbeatable location steps from the vibrant Night Bazaar (and its many affordable massage parlours!). Although the hotel's high occupancy sometimes means less personalized service and a few logistical delays, the overall quality of the facilities and the proximity to major attractions make it an outstanding choice.
I highly recommend this hotel to families and to travellers who want to discover Chiang Mai while staying in an upscale, comfortable and lively setting. I give it a rating of 9 out of 10.
To fund a stay like this one, check out our comparison of the best credit cards in Canada, and more specifically the Marriott Bonvoy cards, which let you earn points quickly.
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Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
To earn Marriott Bonvoy points and redeem them for free nights across more than 30 hotel brands, the most direct route is the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card* (or, for your business, the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card*). 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
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Marriott Chiang Mai: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a night at the Marriott Chiang Mai cost in Marriott Bonvoy points?
When we booked, about 6 months ahead, the rate ranged from 30,000 to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Marriott uses dynamic pricing that varies by date, so check the rate for your own dates on marriott.com. If you book 5 consecutive nights with points on a single reservation, Marriott waives the lowest-priced night.
Where is the Marriott Chiang Mai located?
The hotel is in the Night Bazaar area of Chiang Mai, about 15 minutes by taxi from Chiang Mai Airport (CNX). The Old City and its temples, such as Wat Chedi Luang, are within walking distance or a short ride away.
What type of room should you book at the Marriott Chiang Mai?
We booked a Deluxe King Room with points (city view) and were upgraded to a fully renovated Premium King Room with mountain views. Its sofa by the window gives you a view of both the city and the mountains. If the mountain view matters to you, book a Premium King directly rather than counting on an upgrade.
Does the hotel have a pool and a spa?
Yes. The elevated infinity pool offers mountain views, with loungers placed right in the water. The hotel also has a recently renovated spa and fitness centre.
What restaurants are at the Marriott Chiang Mai?
Gaj Kitchen and Bar serves the breakfast buffet as well as international and Thai cuisine. Favola, recommended by the Michelin Guide, serves Italian cuisine; Han The Chinese Cuisine serves Chinese cuisine; and The Plaii Eatery Cafe & Bar offers a café-bar concept.
Is the Marriott Chiang Mai a good fit for families?
Yes. The pool is very popular with families and especially lively for kids. Travellers looking for peace and quiet should note, however, that the hotel is very busy.