Hotels and restaurants in Pai and Mae Hong Son

In Pai the resorts are set among pretty rice fields

These two destinations in the far north of Thailand are a great place to get away from mainstream tourism and there is no shortage of establishments to satisfy a weary travalleror an empty stomach. Mae Hong Son is a typical Thai town and most the tourist friendly eateries are located in hotels, though there are a few restaurants about town, especially near the pond, that do brisk trade of the tourists.

Accommodation varies quite a bit and you’ll find backpacker dorms, luxury resorts and everything in between. Mae Hong Son has several large hotels to cater to the tour buses that pass through, but plenty of budget guesthouses too. Pai on the other hand is mostly budget and though it packs out from December to March, there are loads of cheap bamboo bungalows scattered about. There’s some comfortable places too. Wandering around the small town centre you’re spoil for choice with budget eateries. To avoid disappointment you may want to book online in advance.

Pai accommodation and restaurants

Mae Hong Son guesthouses and restaurants

Sawasdee Place is a clean, middle of the road establishment in central Mae Hong Son. 29 Moo 8, Tambol Pangmoo. Rooms start at 800 baht. +66 (0) 2 277 5256 for reservartions.

Baiyoke Chalet is just a 2-minute walk from the lake in central Mae Hong Son, with functional facilities and rooms that start at 800 baht.

Johnnie House is centrally located on Jong Kham pond in a wooden house with clean rooms with private bathrooms for 150 baht.

Piya Guest house also on Jong Kham pond is slightly more upmarket with pleasant garden though a bit expensive for what it offers. Rooms do have a/c however for 500 baht. +66 (0) 53 611 052.

Chez Ton is a good place to stop for a snack in Mae Hong Son. It offers foreign food as well as more traditional fare with a personal twist.

Ji-Ji Restaurant is located on the main drag in Mae Hong Son, just across from 7-Eleven. Aside from local dishes, it serves some western fare that is worth stopping in for.

Fern Restaurant has some of the best Thai food in Mae Hong Son and is geared up tou tourists, looking respectable. Popular with locals with a nice atmosphere. Khunlum Praphat road.

Sunflower Café is ideal for lunch when passing through, with its fresh bakes, pizza, mountain coffee and tourist info. Located besides the main post office.

Pai guesthouses and restaurants

Pairadise offers perhaps the best value in all of Pai, with its dozen comfortable en-suite bungalows facing a lovely swimmable pond. Ideal for relaxing, located a 10 minute walk from the centre, but they don’t take reservations. 500+ baht for a/c room. +66 (0) 8 9838 7521.

Baan Pai Village has cosy cabins overlooking a small garden, affordably priced at 500 to 600 baht. For a river view, prices jump to 800 baht per night. +66 (0) 53 698 152.

Tawan Guesthouse has a great location right on the river, though it’s a bit close to a noisy school (if you like afternoon naps). The bungalows are rustic and the setting lovely among shady trees, close the centre. 300 baht for fan room. +66 (0) 53 698 116.

Rim Pai this upmarket place has prime place in the town centre on the river with comfortable rooms in a lovely garden. 600 baht for fan rooms, but definitely a plush place. +66 (0) 53 699 133.

Sipsongpanna is an artists homestay upriver from Pai (so you’ll need a rented bicycle) with a nice atmosphere and setting, with vegetarian restaurant, the epitome of Pai, but usually fully booked. From 200 baht for bungalows. +66 (0) 53 216 096.

Golden Hut is a long running place also on the river, reached via a lane beside the temple. It has a raised riverfront restaurant that has surviced floods and decent bamboo and bungalow rooms. 100 – 300 baht. +66 (0) 53 699 949.

Café del Doi in Pai overlooks a rice field and a mountain range, and serves a local range of mountain rice. It has lovely views over the rice fields but is located far out of Pai.

Pai River Corner has a terrace by the Pai River where you can get a high quality breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Be Bop is the liveliest place in town and usually busy any night of the week in the season with its live band and late hours. Located on the Chiang Mai road a wee bit out of town, ask locals for directions.

There are actually many restaurants, too many to mention in the main streets and it’s more practical to wander around and see what takes you fancy.