Your stay — Bau Khao
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Phrae.
The Property — Bau Khao
Bau Khao is a low-key, family-run guesthouse on Phrae’s main road, blending old Lanna woodwork with crisp white walls and simple tile floors. Its standout feature is the small but well-kept pool tucked behind a leafy courtyard, a rare find at this price point. The lobby doubles as a cafe, where the owner often chats with guests over iced coffee, giving it the feel of a friend’s living room rather than a hotel. Best suited to budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, quiet base for exploring Phrae’s old town on foot, and don’t need a gym or restaurant on-site.
Chronicles of Phrae
Phrae traces its origins to the 13th-century Hariphunchai kingdom, but really grew under Lanna rule as a teak-trading centre in the 19th century. After Siam opened the north to foreign timber companies, wealthy Burmese and Chinese merchants built the ornate, gabled houses that still line the old quarter. The city largely missed the post-war development wave that hit Chiang Mai, leaving its late-Lanna shophouses and the 18th-century Phra That Cho Hae temple intact. Today Phrae markets itself as a ‘slow city’, with a modest textile industry and a growing crowd of Thai weekend travellers seeking real northern character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phrae guide →Best months
November to February are ideal: cool nights, clear skies, no rain, and the Loy Krathong festival in November adds colour without the crowds of Chiang Mai.
Peak / festival surge
December and April are busiest. December draws Thai holidaymakers, and April’s Songkran water festival fills hotels with locals splashing on Kham Maet Road. Expect Bau Khao rates to rise 20–30% over standard.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer good shoulder-season deals. March is warming but still bearable, with few tourists; October sees the end of monsoon rains leaving green hills and empty streets.
Weather & packing
Phrae’s June sits in the wet monsoon, with sudden afternoon downpours that can flood low-lying streets for an hour. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that dry fast—no leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Phrae
- The Phrae Municipal Market (Talat Yon) reopened its renovated central hall in March 2026, adding covered seating and a proper waste-water system—less stinky, more visitors.
- The old railway station closed its ticket counter from May 2026 for a two-month digital upgrade; buy your onward ticket online or at the new 7-Eleven kiosk by the clock tower.
- Local temple Wat Phra Non (the reclining Buddha) has restricted visitor hours during the 2026 rainy-season retreat (1 July–15 October): open 8am–5pm only, no after-dark entry.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Bau Khao, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Rat Damnoen Road, as the quieter rear side overlooks the inner block with less street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the second floor directly above the parking area – guests often hear arrivals and departures. Also avoid any room near the lift on any floor, as the single lift is central and carries some mechanical noise.
Best views
Rooms on the front side (facing Rat Damnoen Road) have a view of the old town street and historic architecture. Rear-side rooms look onto a quiet courtyard or neighbouring rooftops.
Quietest floors
The third floor is the quietest. The lift stops at all floors, but the top floor has no foot traffic above.
🔊 Noise notes
Rat Damnoen Road carries local traffic, not heavy except during school runs (7–8 am and 4–5 pm). The single lift is audible in adjacent rooms. No bar or restaurant noise – the hotel is small and no nightlife nearby.
Insider tips
1. Parking fills by 5 pm; if you arrive later, use the public car park at Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang (30 THB per night, 400 m walk). 2. The WiFi uses your room key code to log in – get the code at check-in and skip the front desk for any extra details.
- 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 — Bau Khao
Free WiFi for all guests; speed approx. 30 Mbps down, no login portal — direct connection with room key code.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers or digital newsstand provided. Building was built in 2019 in a contemporary Thai style with no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 12:00 incurs 500 THB fee; after 12:00 charges full night.
Free storage at lobby on check-in day and after check-out until 20:00.
Step-free entrance via ramp at main door; lift to all floors. No rooms fully wheelchair-accessible due to narrow bathroom doorways.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park is Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang car park, 400 m walk, 30 THB per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 30% of total stay required for booking; 2,000 THB incidental hold at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดต้นธง (356 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Poong Tao Kong Shrine (394 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดน้ำคือ (646 m · ~8 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Jao Por San Chai-Schrein (693 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Phrae City Gate Park — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
หอศิลป์เมืองแพร่ — 670 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 349 m · ~4 min walk
7-Eleven — 397 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and currency exchange booths in town offer better rates than at the airport; avoid tourist-area bureaux as they often add a markup.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in mid-range hotels, larger shops, and some cafes; smaller stalls, market vendors, and local eateries are cash-only. Contactless is rare outside major chains.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants. No need to tip hotel staff unless for special help.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee (oliang) or instant coffee at a market stall or small cafe — about 30-50 THB.
A bowl of khao soi or pad Thai from a street stall — about 40-60 THB.
Stir-fried rice or noodle dish with meat at a local restaurant — around 60-80 THB per main.
Night market along Charoen Muang Road and the walking street near the Old City area offer grilled meats, som tam, and fresh fruit.
Thai supermarkets like 7-Eleven (for basics) and Mini Big C or Lotus's Express are common; Makro has bulk goods.
Local markets (e.g., morning market near the town centre) sell inexpensive cotton shirts and sarongs; no major high-street chains except a few small shops.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 20-40 THB per ride within town. From Phrae Airport, a shared minivan to town centre costs about 100-150 THB; taxis are more.
Eat at market stalls or local eateries away from the main tourist spots; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven.
Good to know — Phrae
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.31 · THB
Emergency Contacts
PhraeTourist Police: 1155 (24/7, English spoken); Phrae Hospital: +66 54 511 033; local rescue service (Samaritan crew): 191 (ask for rescue volunteer). Keep your phone charged, roaming on. Real help might be a provincial relay — stay calm, speak slowly.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phrae, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Bau Khao
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 349 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Phrae Airport → Phrae Bus Station
💡 Runs infrequent and stops at the bus station, not the hotel. You'll need a short songthaew hop from there. Only worth it for budget travellers.
Phrae Airport (PRH) → Loft Hotel
💡 Taxis are scarce outside flight times. Book via your hotel or grab a green-plate tuktuk for 100 THB if you're light on luggage.
Phrae Bus Station (Baan Mai) → Loft Hotel (Charoen Muang Road)
💡 Flag it down anywhere on the main road. Tell the driver 'Loft Hotel' - they know it. Pay on exit, exact change helps.
Anywhere in Phrae city → Loft Hotel
💡 Grab works in Phrae but driver supply is thin. If you're stuck, call the hotel - they can arrange a local driver for the same price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Bau Khao?
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Rat Damnoen Road, as the quieter rear side overlooks the inner block with less street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Bau Khao?
Avoid rooms on the second floor directly above the parking area – guests often hear arrivals and departures. Also avoid any room near the lift on any floor, as the single lift is central and carries some mechanical noise.
Is Bau Khao noisy?
Rat Damnoen Road carries local traffic, not heavy except during school runs (7–8 am and 4–5 pm). The single lift is audible in adjacent rooms. No bar or restaurant noise – the hotel is small and no nightlife nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Bau Khao?
Rooms on the front side (facing Rat Damnoen Road) have a view of the old town street and historic architecture. Rear-side rooms look onto a quiet courtyard or neighbouring rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Bau Khao?
1. Parking fills by 5 pm; if you arrive later, use the public car park at Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang (30 THB per night, 400 m walk). 2. The WiFi uses your room key code to log in – get the code at check-in and skip the front desk for any extra details.
What time is check-in at Bau Khao?
Check-in at Bau Khao is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Bau Khao have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; speed approx. 30 Mbps down, no login portal — direct connection with room key code.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Bau Khao?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Bau Khao?
A bowl of khao soi or pad Thai from a street stall — about 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Bau Khao?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 20-40 THB per ride within town. From Phrae Airport, a shared minivan to town centre costs about 100-150 THB; taxis are more.
When is the best time to visit Phrae?
November to February are ideal: cool nights, clear skies, no rain, and the Loy Krathong festival in November adds colour without the crowds of Chiang Mai.
Top Attractions in Phrae
💡 Come hungry: try the sai oua (northern sausage) and khao soi. Bargain gently - prices are already low. Arrive by 5 PM to beat the crowd.
💡 Entry is free, but donations are welcomed. The wooden floors creak - walk quietly to preserve them. Ask the elderly caretaker for stories.
💡 It's often empty. Excellent spot to sit and read or just be quiet. The monks sometimes offer free meditation guidance if you ask politely.
💡 Bring water and a hat - no shade at all. Early morning has fewer tourists and softer light. The nearby forest trail is worth a short detour.
💡 Go just before sunset for the best light on the chedi. The climb up the naga stairway is about 200 steps, take it slow.