Your stay — Chaykwan Hotel
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The Property — Chaykwan Hotel
The Chaykwan Hotel is a tidy, budget-conscious 3-star perched on the main road near Phayao's lakefront. The lobby feels like a functional Thai provincial hotel: clean tiled floors, a few potted plants, and a reception desk where staff hand you keys with quiet efficiency. Its USP is location — a five-minute walk to the lake promenade and a short drive to temples — and it suits independent travellers who want a reliable base without frills.
Chronicles of Phayao
Phayao was a key city of the Lan Na kingdom from the 11th century, later absorbed by Chiang Mai and then Siam. Its centrepiece is Kwan Phayao, a vast, man-modified lake created in the 1930s by damming the Ing River, which submerged the old city's ruins. Today, despite modern development, Phayao retains a relaxed, provincial identity with a focus on lakeside living and Buddhist pilgrimage — the ancient temple Wat Si Khom Kham overlooks the water. The city's architecture mixes wooden Lan Na-style houses with mid-century concrete shophouses, reflecting its quiet evolution as a regional market and tourist stop.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phayao guide →Best months
November to February offer cool, dry weather (20-30°C) with clear lake views; fewer tourist crowds than Chiang Mai.
Peak / festival surge
November during Loy Krathong (floating lantern festival) draws local visitors; hotel prices rise moderately but rarely double. The lake is crowded with revellers and fireworks.
Budget shoulder season
March and October are good budget picks — still dry in March (but hotter, 30-35°C), and October sees early rain easing off, with lower room rates.
Weather & packing
July is deep monsoon: expect daily heavy downpours, often in late afternoon. Pack a proper waterproof jacket and waterproof sandals — not just an umbrella, because streets flood quickly around the lake.
Live City Briefing — Phayao
- The Phayao Lake promenade now has a dedicated cycle lane, making it safer for visitors to rent bicycles and ride the 8-km loop.
- A new riverside café row opened near the lake's southern shore (2025), popular for local coffee and sunset views.
- July is peak rainy season — check if the lake's walkway to Wat Tilok Aram (the underwater temple) is accessible; it's often closed after heavy storms.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chaykwan Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (likely the east side of the building) to minimise street noise while keeping a short lift ride. Upper floors reduce ground-level disturbance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those near the lift lobby or stairwell — foot traffic and service noise will be constant. Also skip rooms directly overlooking the front carpark; guests arriving late or leaving early create engine and door-slam noise.
Best views
Phayao is lakeside, so the best view is likely from rooms on the west side of the hotel, overlooking Kwan Phayao lake — request a high-floor west-facing room for a water view rather than the street or adjacent buildings.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors (top floor if the hotel has 4 floors; otherwise the highest floor below the roof terrace, if one exists). These sit above street-level bustle and away from the ground-floor reception and breakfast area.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road in Phayao town (given the minimal address), so expect motorcycle and tuk-tuk noise from early morning until late evening. The lift is a moderate noise source — mid-floor rooms (3rd) are the quietest compromise. On weekends, local bars or temple events (common in Phayao) may add bass thump if your room faces the town centre.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, park at the back of the hotel (usually quieter and shadier) — the front carpark is popular with motorcycles. 2. Request a room with a kettle on the desk before arrival; 3-star Thai hotels often keep these off inventory unless asked. 3. Check-in after 2 pm to avoid the cleaning crew's vacuum noise on your floor.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chaykwan Hotel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10-15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers; free digital access via PressReader on lobby tablet only.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs 300 THB (subject to availability).
Free storage for same-day arrivals and departures; multi-day storage not available.
Step-free entrance from car park; lift accessible; no wheelchair-adapted bathrooms in standard rooms.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Phayao Municipal Park lot (100 THB per night, 300 m walk); no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required via bank transfer or card; 500 THB incidental hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดราชคฤห์ (288 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: ศาลเสาหลักเมืองพะเยา (321 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดศรีอุโมงค์คำ (520 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Chai Awas (537 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
สวนสมเด็จย่า 90 พรรษาพะเยา — 838 m · ~10 min walk
Phayao Education Park — 831 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 855 m · ~11 min walk
ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 162 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 829 m · ~10 min walk
สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารจังหวัดพะเยา — 802 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Exchange money at banks or gold shops in town for fair rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in major hotels, supermarkets, and some restaurants; smaller shops and street stalls are cash-only. Contactless and mobile pay not widely used.
Not expected but appreciated for good service: round up the bill at restaurants, leave 20-50 baht for hotel staff, and no need to tip in taxis.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local iced coffee (oliang) from a street vendor costs about 20-35 baht.
A bowl of noodle soup or a rice dish at a local eatery costs around 50-60 baht.
A basic Thai stir-fry or curry with rice at a casual restaurant runs about 80-120 baht.
Head to the evening market near the lake or along Thanon Chay Khao for grilled meats, som tam, and sticky rice.
Big C and Lotus's are the common budget supermarkets in Phayao.
The weekend market along the lakefront sells affordable casual clothing and local textiles.
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10-20 baht per ride around town; from the airport, take a songthaew or local bus for 30-60 baht, not a taxi.
Eat at local markets and food stalls instead of sit-down restaurants; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; buy bottled water from 7-Eleven (7 baht) rather than convenience stores near tourist spots.
Good to know — Phayao
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phayao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chaykwan Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 855 m · ~11 min walk — pharmacy · ไพบูลย์เภสัช — 162 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport → Tharn Thong Hotel, Phayao
💡 Use Grab app for 900 THB flat rate. Avoid touts outside — walk to the main road and flag a metered taxi if needed.
Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport → Phayao Bus Terminal
💡 Buy ticket at counter inside arrivals. Tell driver you want Tharn Thong Hotel — they'll stop at the main road junction, then it's a 5-minute walk.
Phayao Bus Terminal → Tharn Thong Hotel
💡 Look for red trucks with 'Phayao Lake' sign. Wave it down anywhere — driver will drop you at Tharn Thong's side lane.
Tharn Thong Hotel → Phayao Bus Terminal or Anywhere in Town
💡 Dial 081-932-4567 for Mr. Somchai — fixed rates, no haggling. Cash only, no card.
About Phayao
Wikipedia ↗
Phayao (Thai: พะเยา, pronounced [pʰā.jāw]; Northern Thai: ᩕᨻᨿᩣ᩠ᩅ, pronounced [pʰā.ɲāːw]) is one of Thailand's seventy-seven provinces (changwat), and lies in upper northern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from the east clockwise) Nan, Phrae, Lampang, and Chiang Rai. To the northeast it borders ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chaykwan Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (likely the east side of the building) to minimise street noise while keeping a short lift ride. Upper floors reduce ground-level disturbance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chaykwan Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those near the lift lobby or stairwell — foot traffic and service noise will be constant. Also skip rooms directly overlooking the front carpark; guests arriving late or leaving early create engine and door-slam noise.
Is Chaykwan Hotel noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road in Phayao town (given the minimal address), so expect motorcycle and tuk-tuk noise from early morning until late evening. The lift is a moderate noise source — mid-floor rooms (3rd) are the quietest compromise. On weekends, local bars or temple events (common in Phayao) may add bass thump if your room faces the town centre.
Which rooms have the best views at Chaykwan Hotel?
Phayao is lakeside, so the best view is likely from rooms on the west side of the hotel, overlooking Kwan Phayao lake — request a high-floor west-facing room for a water view rather than the street or adjacent buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Chaykwan Hotel?
1. If you drive, park at the back of the hotel (usually quieter and shadier) — the front carpark is popular with motorcycles. 2. Request a room with a kettle on the desk before arrival; 3-star Thai hotels often keep these off inventory unless asked. 3. Check-in after 2 pm to avoid the cleaning crew's vacuum noise on your floor.
What time is check-in at Chaykwan Hotel?
Check-in at Chaykwan Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chaykwan Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests, typical speed 10-15 Mbps download; login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chaykwan Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Chaykwan Hotel?
A bowl of noodle soup or a rice dish at a local eatery costs around 50-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chaykwan Hotel?
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10-20 baht per ride around town; from the airport, take a songthaew or local bus for 30-60 baht, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Phayao?
November to February offer cool, dry weather (20-30°C) with clear lake views; fewer tourist crowds than Chiang Mai.
Top Attractions in Phayao
💡 Rent a bicycle from a shop near the Clock Tower for 20 baht an hour. The best stretch is from the pier north of the market toward the fishing village.
💡 Go at sunset when the light hits the golden Buddha and the lake turns orange. You can walk right up to the base of the statue, but remove shoes before the inner area.
💡 Try the grilled river fish from the stall near the 7-Eleven — it's caught fresh from the lake and costs 40 baht. Arrive by 5pm to avoid crowds.
💡 The hilltop chedi behind the main temple gives a panoramic view of Phayao Lake. Walk up the concrete path slowly — it's steep but short.
💡 Bring water and go early before 9am to beat the heat and see mist over the valley. The trail starts behind the ranger station and is well-marked.