Your stay — P K Hotel
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The Property — P K Hotel
P K Hotel is a straightforward budget base in Phrao’s dusty main street, with tiled floors and faded wall art that hasn’t been updated since the 1990s. The lobby smells of floor polish and strong coffee from a tiny pot served each morning. It’s fine for a night if you’re cycling the Samoeng loop or need a cheap crash pad before hiking Doi Mon Chong. Don’t expect charm; expect clean sheets and a working fan.
Chronicles of Phrao
Phrao was a minor Tai Yuan settlement along the Mae Ping tributaries, formalised in the early 1900s as a district of Chiang Mai province. Its architecture remains low-rise and functional, with wooden shop-houses and a couple of gilded temple chedis breaking the skyline. The town never boomed because heavy rainfall and distance from the main tourist trails kept it farming tobacco, garlic and longan. Today Phrao markets itself as ‘the real north’ – a place where you eat khao soi from a plastic stool while monks cycle past.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phrao guide →Best months
November to February. The rains stop, the rice paddies turn gold, and daytime heat stays around 30°C without the March smoke haze.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran) and December (New Year). Hotels triple walk-in rates, but P K Hotel usually stays under 800 baht because demand isn’t heavy. The main event is the mid-January Phrao Longan Festival, which draws mostly Thai visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and October. May sees the first heavy rains but rooms drop to 400–500 baht. October is still wet but cools down, and most tourists haven’t returned yet.
Weather & packing
July is deep wet season – expect half-hour torrents most afternoons followed by steamy sun. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and sandals that dry fast; never wear suede or full-leather shoes here in July.
Live City Briefing — Phrao
- The 1095 road to Chiang Dao is resurfacing through Phrao town centre – expect 10-minute delays at the single-lane section until August 2026.
- Phrao Hospital now offers basic dengue testing – 200 baht, results in 20 minutes – useful if you feel ’flu-ish after a week in the paddies.
- The longan harvest started a week late this year due to erratic rain, so local markets have lychees and mango instead; longan stalls should be full by early August.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to P K Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) away from the stairwell. These are quieter and likely have better air circulation in Phrao’s heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception — higher foot traffic and potential street noise from Phrao’s main road. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft if one exists.
Best views
Rooms facing away from the main road (likely the south or east side) look over local rooftops and green patches — typical for Phrao’s low-rise townscape. Avoid front-facing rooms with road views.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 — higher up means less street-level disturbance and more chance of a cross-breeze.
🔊 Noise notes
Phrao is a small town on a regional road — motorbikes and songthaews pass by from 6am. The hotel’s own service entrance and kitchen fan may generate low hum. No nightlife noise, but temple loudspeakers at dawn are possible.
Insider tips
1) Check in early if you want a top-floor room — Phrao fills up with trekkers passing through. 2) Ask for a room with a balcony if available — drying clothes in the tropical humidity is a real win in a 3-star place.
- 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 — P K Hotel
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms. Speed sufficient for browsing and email; streaming may be slow in high season. Login via room number and last name.
No lift; the hotel is a two-storey building with stairs only.
No newspapers provided. Lobby offers a small shelf of Thai magazines.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 16:00 costs 300 THB, must be arranged by 10:00.
Free storage at reception for same-day early arrivals and post-check-out.
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Ground floor rooms are available but still have a step at the door.
On-site free parking for about 10 cars, first-come first-served. No EV charging. Nearest public parking is on the street outside (free), but spaces are limited on market days (Saturday).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 500 THB cash or card hold at check-in for incidentals; prepayment of first night required for online bookings.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดเขื่อนผาก (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
7-Eleven — 34 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
ATMs are the main option; bring a card with low international fees. Avoid exchange booths at tourist sites – rates are poor. The airport in Chiang Mai offers slightly better rates than bureaux in town but still below bank rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and larger shops in Phrao town; cash essential at markets, street stalls, and most family-run eateries. Contactless is rare.
Not expected. Round up taxi fares or leave small change (10–20 THB) for exceptional service; tipping is not common in local restaurants.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or local iced coffee (oliang) from a street stall – about 15–20 THB. A basic Americano from a café costs around 40–50 THB.
Pad Thai or fried rice from a local food stall – 40–60 THB. A simple noodle soup or curry at a small shop is 50–80 THB.
A one-plate meal like khao pad (fried rice) or a curry with rice – 50–80 THB at a neighbourhood restaurant. Grilled meat with sticky rice runs 60–100 THB.
The morning market (closed by midday) and the evening stalls near the main intersection offer grilled meats, som tam, and noodle dishes. Look for the cluster of carts after dark.
Local minimarts (7-Eleven, Family Mart) for basics; the fresh market is the main source for fruit, veg, and meat. No big supermarket chains in Phrao.
Not a shopping destination. Basic clothing at the weekly market (Saturday or Sunday) – mostly imported second-hand or factory seconds. Better to buy in Chiang Mai.
Songthaew (red truck) shared taxi – 20–30 THB within town. To get from Chiang Mai Airport, catch a bus to the old city (20 THB), then a songthaew to the bus station for the 60 THB bus to Phrao.
Eat at the morning market for cheapest meals. Buy water in bulk from 7-Eleven (7 THB per bottle). Rent a bicycle (50–100 THB/day) instead of paying for motorbike taxis.
Good to know — Phrao
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phrao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at P K Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Phrao town centre (market area) → Phrao Boutique Hotel, Phrao
💡 Flag down a red songthaew heading south from the market. Confirm the driver knows ‘Phrao Boutique Hotel’ – it’s just off the main road. They’ll wait if they have other fares.
Chiang Mai (superhighway bus stop, near Central Festival) → Phrao Bus Station
💡 This is the slowest option but the most local. Buy a seat in front – the back row gets dusty. It stops at villages along the way; tell the conductor you’re getting off at Phrao town.
Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal (Gate 3) → Phrao Bus Station, Phrao town centre
💡 Get off at the Wat Phrao stop near the market, not the main road. The bus drops you 1.5 km from the hotel – a songthaew wait near the market costs 20 baht. Bring cash; no card payments.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) → Phrao Boutique Hotel, Phrao
💡 Book ahead with a local operator like Green Taxi or use the Grab app. The route includes a winding section through Mae Taeng – sit in the front if you're prone to car sickness.
About Phrao
Wikipedia ↗
Lat Phrao (Thai: ลาดพร้าว, RTGS: Lat Phrao, pronounced [lâːt pʰráːw]) is one of the 50 districts (khets) of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bound by six other districts (from north clockwise): Bang Khen, Bueng Kum, Bang Kapi, Wang Thonglang, and Chatuchak. Despite its name, the district is not cr...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at P K Hotel?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd floor or above) away from the stairwell. These are quieter and likely have better air circulation in Phrao’s heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at P K Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the entrance or reception — higher foot traffic and potential street noise from Phrao’s main road. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft if one exists.
Is P K Hotel noisy?
Phrao is a small town on a regional road — motorbikes and songthaews pass by from 6am. The hotel’s own service entrance and kitchen fan may generate low hum. No nightlife noise, but temple loudspeakers at dawn are possible.
Which rooms have the best views at P K Hotel?
Rooms facing away from the main road (likely the south or east side) look over local rooftops and green patches — typical for Phrao’s low-rise townscape. Avoid front-facing rooms with road views.
What are insider tips for staying at P K Hotel?
1) Check in early if you want a top-floor room — Phrao fills up with trekkers passing through. 2) Ask for a room with a balcony if available — drying clothes in the tropical humidity is a real win in a 3-star place.
What time is check-in at P K Hotel?
Check-in at P K Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does P K Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms. Speed sufficient for browsing and email; streaming may be slow in high season. Login via room number and last name.
Is there a city or tourist tax at P K Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near P K Hotel?
Pad Thai or fried rice from a local food stall – 40–60 THB. A simple noodle soup or curry at a small shop is 50–80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from P K Hotel?
Songthaew (red truck) shared taxi – 20–30 THB within town. To get from Chiang Mai Airport, catch a bus to the old city (20 THB), then a songthaew to the bus station for the 60 THB bus to Phrao.
When is the best time to visit Phrao?
November to February. The rains stop, the rice paddies turn gold, and daytime heat stays around 30°C without the March smoke haze.
Top Attractions in Phrao
💡 The som tam vendor at the north end adds a pinch of tamarind – better than the tourist versions. Bring cash, no cards.
💡 Walk around the back – there's a shaded bench under a banyan tree, good for a quiet sit. Ask the monk if you can ring the small bell once.
💡 Start near the clock tower at 8am, before the heat hits and the food stalls shut. Bring water.
💡 The trail gets muddy after rain; wear sandals you don't mind washing. No rubbish bins – carry out your wrappers.
💡 Rent a bicycle from the guesthouse on the main road – 100 baht for half a day. The climb is steep for 20 minutes, but you can push the bike. Best at 5pm for golden light.