Your stay — Viva Resort
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The Property — Viva Resort
Viva Resort feels like a calm, well-kept courtyard in the middle of Phrae's old quarter — tiled floors, wooden trim, a small pool that catches the afternoon sun. It's a reliable 3-star base for anyone wanting to explore the town's teak temples and quiet streets on foot or by bicycle. The lobby has the slightly hushed, professional air of a place that hosts both tourists and provincial business travellers, with a smiling reception desk and a rack of local maps. Best for independent travellers who value a clean room and a good location over boutique atmosphere.
Chronicles of Phrae
Phrae was founded in the 11th century as a small settlement within the Hariphunchai kingdom, later becoming a key teak-trading hub under Lanna rule in the 13th–18th centuries. Its wealth came from teak forests, and many of the town's distinctive Burmese-style Victorian shophouses were built by British and Burmese merchants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city's historic centre, around the old city wall and the Nam Yom River, is lined with over 100-year-old wooden structures in the Lanna-Tai Yai vernacular. Today Phrae is a sleepy but culturally rich provincial capital, known for its traditional mo lam music festivals, handwoven textiles and the revered Phra Chao Phrom Phong statue at Wat Phra Non.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phrae guide →Best months
November to February — cool, dry days (15–30°C), clear skies, and no rain; perfect for cycling around town and visiting the Phae Mueang Phi fossil forest. These months also see fewer domestic tourists than the April Songkran peak.
Peak / festival surge
April is the hottest and busiest month, driven by Thai New Year (Songkran festivals, 13–15 April). Hotel prices can jump 30–50% during that week. Avoid if you dislike heat (35–40°C) or smoke haze from agricultural burning.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer milder weather and low-season rates — March is dry but getting hot, October sees the tail end of the rains but very green countryside. Discounts of 20–30% are common.
Weather & packing
Phrae has a distinct 'cool season' that feels genuinely chilly at night (10–15°C in December–January) despite daytime heat, so pack a light jacket or fleece. Explicit packing rule: always carry a reusable water bottle and a cotton scarf — the former for the heat, the latter for temple visits and dust protection.
Live City Briefing — Phrae
- The old Phrae Bus Terminal was closed in late 2025 and all services (including Phrae–Chiang Mai and Phrae–Bangkok buses) now depart from the new terminal 4 km east on Highway 101 — check your transfer details with Viva Resort's front desk.
- Wat Luang, the city's most famous temple with its 15th-century chedi and wooden scripture library, completed a year-long roof restoration in February 2026 — it's now fully open to visitors.
- The annual 'Khao Khi Mi' sticky rice festival (dates vary in July) will be held on 20–21 July 2026 at the old city moat — expect street food stalls, traditional music and a one-day boat race on the Yom River.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Viva Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise from Phrae’s main roads, and the courtyard side is typically quieter than the front of the building.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and less privacy) and any rooms directly above the main entrance or near the lift shaft. The lift motor and foot traffic near the lobby can be audible on floors 1–2.
Best views
Given Phrae’s low-rise nature, rooms facing the courtyard or side streets may offer rooftop views of the old town and surrounding hills, rather than just the car park or busy road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 offer the best balance of height and seclusion. The 4th floor is likely the top floor, minimising overhead noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Phrae’s main roads have modest traffic but occasional motorbikes and trucks. Weekend nights might bring noise from nearby bars or temples. The lift shaft can transmit clunks, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. If parking is tight, arrive early or call ahead to reserve a space – the hotel’s limited lot fills up quickly. 2. Ask for a room with a balcony if available – Phrae’s evenings are mild and it’s worth the upgrade.
- 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 — Viva Resort
Free for all guests, speed varies 10-20 Mbps down. No login page; simply select the Viva-Resort SSID and accept terms. Weekend peak evening can slow to 5 Mbps.
Single elevator serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Physical local Thai newspapers (daily) in the breakfast area; no digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 at front desk. Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged THB 300 per hour or THB 1,000 until 18:00, subject to availability.
Free, at front desk. Unsecured lobby racks, but guests receive a numbered tag.
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp. One ground-floor accessible room (310). Elevator is 85 cm wide; no grab bars in bathrooms. Not fully wheelchair-accessible in older wing (stairs to garden pool).
Free on-site open-air parking for 20 cars. Nearest public car park is at Phrae Bus Terminal 1.2 km away (THB 20 per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 1-night rate required to guarantee booking; THB 500 incidental hold at check-in via credit card or cash.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: คริสตจักรที่ 1 แพร่กิตติคุณ (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Place of worship: Wat Bhunruk Sa (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้าน - บ้านฝ้าย — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
7-Eleven — 327 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs or bank exchange counters in town; avoid airport and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in larger shops and hotels; cash essential for street stalls, local markets, and most restaurants.
Not expected but appreciated; leave small change at restaurants or round up taxi fares, no need to tip hotel or tour staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from street stalls or local cafes costs 25-40 baht.
Rice or noodle dish at a local shop costs 40-60 baht.
Simple stir-fry or curry with rice at a family-run eatery costs 50-80 baht.
Evening stalls along the main road near the clock tower and around the bus station offer grilled meats, som tam, and fried snacks.
Makro or small family-run grocery shops are common; Lotus's and 7-Eleven for basics and snacks.
Weekend walking street market for affordable t-shirts, sarongs, and locally-made cotton goods.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town costs 10-20 baht; walking is free and easy. No airport shuttle—take a songthaew from the bus station to the airport for about 30 baht.
Eat at shops where locals queue; buy water and snacks at 7-Eleven; haggle gently at markets but not at street-food stalls.
Good to know — Phrae
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.44 · 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 Viva Resort
🕒 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 Viva Resort?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise from Phrae’s main roads, and the courtyard side is typically quieter than the front of the building.
Which rooms should I avoid at Viva Resort?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and less privacy) and any rooms directly above the main entrance or near the lift shaft. The lift motor and foot traffic near the lobby can be audible on floors 1–2.
Is Viva Resort noisy?
Phrae’s main roads have modest traffic but occasional motorbikes and trucks. Weekend nights might bring noise from nearby bars or temples. The lift shaft can transmit clunks, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Viva Resort?
Given Phrae’s low-rise nature, rooms facing the courtyard or side streets may offer rooftop views of the old town and surrounding hills, rather than just the car park or busy road.
What are insider tips for staying at Viva Resort?
1. If parking is tight, arrive early or call ahead to reserve a space – the hotel’s limited lot fills up quickly. 2. Ask for a room with a balcony if available – Phrae’s evenings are mild and it’s worth the upgrade.
What time is check-in at Viva Resort?
Check-in at Viva Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Viva Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, speed varies 10-20 Mbps down. No login page; simply select the Viva-Resort SSID and accept terms. Weekend peak evening can slow to 5 Mbps.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Viva Resort?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Viva Resort?
Rice or noodle dish at a local shop costs 40-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Viva Resort?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) within town costs 10-20 baht; walking is free and easy. No airport shuttle—take a songthaew from the bus station to the airport for about 30 baht.
When is the best time to visit Phrae?
November to February — cool, dry days (15–30°C), clear skies, and no rain; perfect for cycling around town and visiting the Phae Mueang Phi fossil forest. These months also see fewer domestic tourists than the April Songkran peak.
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.