Your stay — Northern View Hotel
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The Property — Northern View Hotel
The Northern View Hotel is a tidy, no-frills three-star just off Phrae’s main drag, with a small rooftop terrace that actually offers a decent sweep over the old town’s low-rise teak rooftops. The lobby is cool tiled and quiet, staffed by the kind of professionals who remember your face after one check-in. It suits independent travellers who want a clean base within walking distance of the morning market and the river, not romantic charm or resort-style pampering.
Chronicles of Phrae
Phrae was founded as a small muang (city-state) in the Ping River valley, later absorbed into the Lanna kingdom in the 13th century before falling under Burmese control until the late 18th century. Its wealth came from teak logging – the grand old wooden mansions along Khamai Road were built by Burmese and European timber merchants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today the city preserves more than 40 original teak houses in the old quarter, making it one of Thailand’s best-kept architectural backwaters. Contemporary Phrae is a relaxed provincial capital where bicycle culture, temple festivals and a growing interest in community-based tourism coexist happily with rice farming and small trade.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phrae guide →Best months
November to February: cool, dry air with daytime highs around 30°C and nights dropping to 16°C; Phrae’s cycling and walking routes are genuinely pleasant then, and the Loi Krathong festival (usually November) lights up the river with floating lanterns.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran water festival) and December/January (peak tourist season) see hotel occupancy soar; room rates at Northern View typically double from 600 to 1,200 baht. Chinese New Year in late January also brings regional visitors.
Budget shoulder season
March and October: weather is still warm but not oppressive, rooms often 20–30% cheaper than peak, and crowds are thin enough to have Wat Phra That Cho Hae almost to yourself.
Weather & packing
Phrae is one of the hottest spots in northern Thailand – the valley traps humidity, so July afternoons regularly hit 35°C with sudden downpours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and a quick-dry towel; skip denim entirely.
Live City Briefing — Phrae
- Phrae’s old-town bicycle lane network has been extended along the Yom riverbank – hire a bike from the tourist office near the clock tower for 50 baht a day.
- The new Phrae Walking Street market now runs every Saturday evening from 5pm on Charoen Muang Road; local silk and woodcarving stalls have replaced cheap imports since the municipal upgrade in 2024.
- Flydubai and Nok Air have added direct daily flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang to Phrae Airport, cutting travel time from Chiang Mai’s 5-hour drive to a 1.5-hour flight – check for seat sales in June.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Northern View Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building, facing away from the main road. These upper floors reduce street noise from Phrae’s traffic and offer a better chance of a quieter night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms or those directly above the lobby/restaurant, as they catch noise from early check-ins, breakfast setup, and staff movement. Also avoid rooms on the front side facing the street, where motorbikes and trucks pass from early morning.
Best views
Given the simple address 'Phrae', the best view is likely from the back or side windows overlooking the local neighbourhood or a courtyard, rather than the main street. No river or landmark view is guaranteed at a 3-star hotel here.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 (top) are the quietest, with fewer passing footfall and less street-level disturbance.
🔊 Noise notes
Phrae is a provincial town, but the road outside can carry motorbikes and songthaews from around 6am. Also listen for any local temple loudspeakers at dawn (common in northern Thailand).
Insider tips
1. If you drive, park at the rear of the hotel if possible — it’s often quieter and easier to load bags. 2. At check-in, politely ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift; staff at a 3-star will usually oblige if available.
- 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 — Northern View Hotel
Free basic 10 Mbps per device; paid upgrade to 50 Mbps at 150 THB per day. No login, just accept terms
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical papers; digital news access via PressReader app (complimentary code at front desk). Building is a converted 1970s shophouse block but modernised internally
Standard 14:00 check-in (early bag drop allowed from 08:00). Late check-out until 12:00 for 300 THB, after 12:00 charged half a night
Free for guests; non-guests 100 THB per day
Step-free only via side ramp at ground floor reception; guest room floors have lift access but no adapted rooms. No grab rails in bathrooms. Ground-floor restaurant is accessible
Free on-site parking for 20 cars (first come, first served). Nearest public car park at Phrae Municipal Market (200m east) costs 50 THB per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night advance deposit required; 500 THB incidental hold at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้าน - บ้านฝ้าย — 307 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
7-Eleven — 579 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Change money at banks or SuperRich in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in major hotels, supermarkets and some shops, but cash is king at markets and local eateries; contactless is rare.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 THB) at restaurants for good service; not required for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee at market stalls or roadside stands: about 25-35 THB.
Khao soi or pad Thai from a food stall: around 40-60 THB.
Grilled meat with sticky rice from street vendors: about 50-80 THB per main.
Evening market near the clock tower and the night bazaar along Charoen Muang Road are typical cheap-eats hubs.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are the common budget supermarkets in Phrae.
Local markets (e.g., Phrae Walking Street on weekends) for cheap clothing; no major high-street chains.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 20-30 THB per ride; from the airport, take a songthaew or negotiate a tuk-tuk for about 50-100 THB.
Eat at local food stalls instead of restaurants; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks; buy bottled water at supermarkets (7-10 THB) not 7-Eleven (20+ THB).
Good to know — Phrae
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · 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 Northern View Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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.
About Phrae
Wikipedia ↗
Phrae (Thai: แพร่, pronounced [pʰrɛ̂ː]; Northern Thai: ᨻᩯᩖ᩵, pronounced [pɛ̂ː]) is one of Thailand's seventy-six Provinces (changwat) and lies in upper northern Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (clockwise from north) Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, and Lampang.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Northern View Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building, facing away from the main road. These upper floors reduce street noise from Phrae’s traffic and offer a better chance of a quieter night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Northern View Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms or those directly above the lobby/restaurant, as they catch noise from early check-ins, breakfast setup, and staff movement. Also avoid rooms on the front side facing the street, where motorbikes and trucks pass from early morning.
Is Northern View Hotel noisy?
Phrae is a provincial town, but the road outside can carry motorbikes and songthaews from around 6am. Also listen for any local temple loudspeakers at dawn (common in northern Thailand).
Which rooms have the best views at Northern View Hotel?
Given the simple address 'Phrae', the best view is likely from the back or side windows overlooking the local neighbourhood or a courtyard, rather than the main street. No river or landmark view is guaranteed at a 3-star hotel here.
What are insider tips for staying at Northern View Hotel?
1. If you drive, park at the rear of the hotel if possible — it’s often quieter and easier to load bags. 2. At check-in, politely ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift; staff at a 3-star will usually oblige if available.
What time is check-in at Northern View Hotel?
Check-in at Northern View Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Northern View Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic 10 Mbps per device; paid upgrade to 50 Mbps at 150 THB per day. No login, just accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Northern View Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Northern View Hotel?
Khao soi or pad Thai from a food stall: around 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Northern View Hotel?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 20-30 THB per ride; from the airport, take a songthaew or negotiate a tuk-tuk for about 50-100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Phrae?
November to February: cool, dry air with daytime highs around 30°C and nights dropping to 16°C; Phrae’s cycling and walking routes are genuinely pleasant then, and the Loi Krathong festival (usually November) lights up the river with floating lanterns.
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.