PhoomThai Garden Hotel — a Lanna garden hotel with a pool in central Phrae, walk to the old town
If your Phrae trip wants a central hotel that feels like a leafy garden, with a pool to dip in, the old town within walking distance, all at a comfortable mid-range rate, PhoomThai Garden Hotel is the pick many guests come away impressed by. It is a 46-room garden hotel built in traditional Lanna style with plenty of teak, its blocks set in an L-shape around a green garden in the Nai Wiang district. What guests mention again and again is the genuinely attentive staff, the calm and shady garden, the inviting pool, the tasty buffet breakfast, and the central location within walking distance of the old town. There are free bikes, a free airport shuttle, and a hotel tuk-tuk that runs into the old town. It scores 8.1 from real guest reviews · from approx. ฿900/night.
PhoomThai Garden Hotel is a 46-room garden hotel in the Nai Wiang district at the heart of Phrae. Its signature is the traditional Lanna design, with teak used throughout the rooms and common areas, and three-storey blocks laid out in an L-shape around a garden where the original mature trees were deliberately kept, softened by ferns and orchids, with the outdoor pool on one side and a cafe on the other. Many reviews say the same thing: it feels like an urban oasis even though it sits only about a 10-minute walk from the old town — quiet, shady, and a relaxed slice of Phrae that has not yet turned touristy.
There are several room types to choose from, from the Deluxe Room with a double bed for couples, to the Superior Twin with two single beds for friends or family, up to the larger Grand Deluxe with a king bed and a sofa bed. Every room has air-conditioning, satellite TV, a minibar and a private balcony, with an en-suite bathroom and shower. The teak joinery and Lanna touches give the rooms a warm, characterful feel. Most reviews say the rooms are a good size, the beds comfortable, and the value solid for the mid-range. Couples or small parties will find the Deluxe enough and the cheapest, while larger groups or anyone wanting more space will find the Grand Deluxe a sensible fit.
"A shady, peaceful garden that feels like an oasis in the middle of town. The staff look after you really well, the pool is inviting, the buffet breakfast has both Thai and Western options, and you can walk to the old town. Great value."
The thing guests praise most is the attentive staff and the leafy garden setting — service is the category that scores highest in many reviews, both for friendliness and helpfulness. Another highlight is the buffet breakfast, with Thai and Western options and a northern-Thai spread that many recommend, plus the Phoomthai restaurant serving reasonably priced northern food. Beyond the outdoor pool there is a spa and sauna, a cocktail bar, free bikes for riding around the old town, free parking, a free airport shuttle, and a hotel tuk-tuk that runs into the old town — very handy if you do not have your own wheels.
Location is one of this hotel's strengths. It sits in the Nai Wiang district in central Phrae, about a 10-minute walk from the old town, near Wat Phra Bat Ming Mueang, Khum Chao Luang, Ban Wongburi, cafes and local restaurants. From here it is roughly 15 minutes by car to Wat Phra That Cho Hae and only about 7 minutes (about 3 km) to Phrae Airport, making it a handy base for exploring the old town without long drives. There are markets and convenience stores nearby. If you arrive by plane or coach you can use the hotel's free shuttle, and when you want to head into the old town you can call its tuk-tuk — so you can get around the city comfortably even without a car.
To be honest, there are a few things to set your expectations on. The hotel has been open for a good while, so some rooms and decor look dated and could use a refresh — a few reviews mention rooms that feel a bit old-fashioned, or rooms that could be cleaned more thoroughly, which runs counter to the reviews praising cleanliness and service. Room condition varies somewhat from room to room. This is the voice of real guest reviews, and it reflects a mid-range garden hotel that leans on atmosphere, location and service rather than brand-new rooms. We'd suggest checking photos of each room type and recent reviews before booking, and if you are given a room you don't like, you can ask to switch at check-in.
Overall, PhoomThai Garden Hotel suits anyone looking for a central Phrae garden hotel with a leafy Lanna feel, a pool, the old town in walking distance, all at an easy mid-range price. If you value a central location, a calm garden, attentive staff, a pool, a good breakfast and solid value over brand-new rooms, this place delivers. It is one of the most talked-about hotels in Phrae and works well for couples, families, and anyone arriving by plane or coach to explore the old town.
A tip from reading lots of reviews: don't miss the buffet breakfast, especially the northern-Thai dishes that guests keep recommending, and try the northern food at the Phoomthai restaurant for dinner. Use the free shuttle from Phrae Airport and call the hotel's tuk-tuk when you want to head into the old town. Borrow a bike to ride out to Khum Chao Luang, Ban Wongburi and the old town in the cool of the morning. And before booking, check photos and recent reviews of each room type, since room condition varies a little.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Genuinely attentive, friendly and helpful staff
- ✓ Shady, peaceful garden that feels like an urban oasis
- ✓ Tasty buffet breakfast with Thai and Western options
- ✓ Central location, walk to the old town, with a pool
- ! Some rooms and decor are dated and could use a refresh
- ! A few rooms could be cleaned more thoroughly
- ! Room condition varies between room types
- ✓ Standout service, lovely staff
- ✓ Leafy Lanna garden setting with a pool and spa
- ✓ Good breakfast and northern food at the restaurant
- ✓ Free airport shuttle and a tuk-tuk into the old town
- ! Some rooms look old-fashioned and could be updated
- ! Cleanliness in a few rooms is inconsistent
- ! Rates rise over long holidays — compare a few platforms
- 💡If you expect brand-new rooms and modern decor — this is a long-established garden hotel where some rooms and furnishings are dated → it suits people who value atmosphere, a central location, service and value over how new the room is.
- 💡If you are particular about room condition and cleanliness — reviews on rooms vary, with some older or in need of a deeper clean → check photos and recent reviews of each room type before booking, and ask to switch rooms at check-in if yours isn't right.
- 💡If you don't have your own car — it's central, about a 10-minute walk to the old town, with a free airport shuttle and a hotel tuk-tuk into the old town → arrange times when you book, then use the hotel's bikes to get around town easily.