Mae Hong Son is not one resort strip. It is a mountain province where you sleep in a chain of small places along a route: Mae Hong Son town, Mae Sariang on the Yuam River, the tea hills near Ban Rak Thai, and Soppong in the caves district. Wikipedia describes the province as the most mountainous in Thailand and notes its nickname, the city of three mists, so the right base depends on your route, your transport and the season more than on any one beach or neighbourhood.
Use the quick answer above, then the table to compare areas. We show no prices because rates change with dates and room type, and the live rate links open a booking search with your own dates. We have not stayed at these hotels: every card shows facts taken from the hotel's own website and checked on 16 October 2026. We found no Khun Yuam hotel with a working official website of its own, so Khun Yuam is covered in the Mae Hong Son travel guide rather than listed here. If you are also stopping in Pai, which is a separate district of the province, see where to stay in Pai.
How to choose
- Pick your route first. Flying into Mae Hong Son Airport makes the town the simplest base. Driving the loop from Chiang Mai via Mae Sariang makes Mae Sariang the natural overnight, and the Pai road brings you through Soppong. See Chiang Mai to Pai for the first leg from Chiang Mai.
- Decide how you will get between towns. Mountain roads are winding and distances are large: Ban Rak Thai is described as about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town, and a Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Son bus is listed by Wikipedia at 359 km and about eight hours (information may be dated). Check current timetables with the operator.
- Check the season. Wikipedia gives dry, warm winters and a May to October monsoon, Cave Lodge says cool-season mornings can fall to 3-5 degrees Celsius, and it warns of heavy smoke in some years in March and April. Compare the final rate with tax, breakfast and cancellation terms before you pay.
Area comparison
| Area | Best for | Noise | Walkable | Setting / access | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mae Hong Son town and nearby | Flying in, short stays | No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel | Yes | Wikipedia: 240 m above sea level, 251 km from Chiang Mai | Check live rates |
| Mae Sariang (Yuam River) | Overnight on the southern loop | No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel | Yes | Wikipedia: narrow valley along the Yuam River | Check live rates |
| Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung area | Tea-house mornings, own transport | No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel | Mostly no | Thai Holiday Guide: about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town | Check live rates |
| Soppong, Tham Lod and Mae Lana | Cave visits and village stays | No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel | Mostly no | Wikipedia: Pang Mapha is the northernmost district; Cave Lodge: Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk | Check live rates |
See the areas on a map
Open each area on a map in a new tab (direct links to Google Maps or OpenStreetMap; we do not embed a map so the page stays fast and free of third-party cookies).
- Mae Hong Son town and nearby: Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
- Mae Sariang (Yuam River): Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
- Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung area: Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
- Soppong, Tham Lod and Mae Lana: Google Maps · OpenStreetMap
No hotel price is quoted here because we cannot verify a current rate for your dates. Each hotel card gives the source and the date each fact was checked.
Area guide
Provincial capital
Mae Hong Son town and nearby
- Vibe
- Town on the Pai River with an airport
- Noise
- No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel
- Setting / access
- Wikipedia: 240 m above sea level, 251 km from Chiang Mai
- Rate
- Check live rates
- Getting there
- Mae Hong Son Airport in Chong Kham subdistrict; taxi or hired driver
Mae Hong Son town is the provincial capital, in the Shan Hills near the Myanmar border (Wikipedia). Four properties here are in or just outside the town: Imperial Mae Hong Son Resort offers a walk to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, Fern Resort gives a Pha Bong address with two pools, B2 Premier Resort says the airport is a 7-minute drive away, and Rimtarn Resort says it is in town. Note that Fern Resort is outside the town centre.
Choose it if: You are flying in, or want temples, a lake and restaurants close by.
Skip it if: You want tea-hill mornings or caves at your doorstep.
Mistake to avoid: Do not assume every property here is in the centre: Fern Resort gives a Pha Bong subdistrict address.
Our pick here: B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Resort Check rates
Riverside town
Mae Sariang (Yuam River)
- Vibe
- Small town in a narrow river valley
- Noise
- No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel
- Setting / access
- Wikipedia: narrow valley along the Yuam River
- Rate
- Check live rates
- Getting there
- Wikivoyage: Route 108, about 3 hours from Chiang Mai
Wikipedia calls Mae Sariang a small town and district in a narrow valley along the Yuam River on the Myanmar border, and Wikivoyage lists Route 108 as about 3 hours from Chiang Mai. All three hotels listed here give Langpanich Road addresses: Riverhouse Resort cites the Yuam River scenery and teak furniture, Riverhouse Teak House is 50 metres from it and built of teak, and River Bank Resort describes the heart of the old town.
Choose it if: You are driving the loop and want a river-town overnight.
Skip it if: You need an airport or lots of nightlife.
Mistake to avoid: Do not book blind for a late arrival: confirm check-in directly, especially at the smaller properties.
Our pick here: Riverhouse Resort Check rates
Tea hills
Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung area
- Vibe
- Highland tea village and reservoir area
- Noise
- No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel
- Setting / access
- Thai Holiday Guide: about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town
- Rate
- Check live rates
- Getting there
- Car or hired driver; confirm the drive on a map
Thai Holiday Guide puts Ban Rak Thai about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town and says tea tasting at the lakeside tea houses is the central activity. Chasa Rakthai Resort gives a Mok Cham Pae address and describes a Yunnan-style resort among tea plantations; Pala Coffee House says its stay is 300 metres from Pang Ung and describes simple accommodation.
Choose it if: You have a car or driver and want a quiet highland night.
Skip it if: You rely on public transport or want restaurants and an airport nearby.
Mistake to avoid: Do not treat Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung as one spot: the Pala listing gives a Ban Ruam Thai (Pang Ung) address, so check each pin.
Our pick here: Chasa Rakthai Resort Check rates
Caves and hill villages
Soppong, Tham Lod and Mae Lana
- Vibe
- Northernmost district, cave and village area
- Noise
- No verified noise information for this area; ask the hotel
- Setting / access
- Wikipedia: Pang Mapha is the northernmost district; Cave Lodge: Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk
- Rate
- Check live rates
- Getting there
- Cave Lodge: bus from Pai to Pang Mapha about 1 hour; from Mae Hong Son under 2 hours
Pang Mapha is the northernmost district of Mae Hong Son province (Wikipedia). Cave Lodge says it was established in 1984, lists dorm beds, basic huts and bungalows, and says Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk. Aerie Lodge describes air-conditioned teak rooms among hill tribe villages and caves, and Mae Lana Garden Home describes a bamboo Shan-style house in the small village of Mae Lana.
Choose it if: You want caves, hill villages and a stop between Pai and Mae Hong Son town.
Skip it if: You want a town with an airport and many restaurants.
Mistake to avoid: Do not assume all three are at the same place: Cave Lodge is in Tham Lod, the others are in Soppong and Mae Lana.
Our pick here: Cave Lodge Check rates
Hand-picked places to stay
Examples of established Mae Hong Son hotels, spread across areas and budget bands. Every fact below was checked against the hotel's own website or a reputable source on 2026-10-16 and links to that source. We have not stayed at these places and give no ratings; we show no prices because rates change daily. The band is the property class (hostel or guesthouse, mid-range, upscale), not a live price.
| Hotel | Area | Band | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Imperial Mae Hong Son Resort | Mae Hong Son town and nearby | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want a resort with a pool, a jogging route and morning yoga, with a walk to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu offered. |
| Fern Resort | Mae Hong Son town and nearby | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want a quiet, nature-focused stay with two pools, rice-field surroundings and a sunset bar. |
| B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Resort | Mae Hong Son town and nearby | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want an outdoor-pool resort a short drive from Mae Hong Son Airport. |
| Rimtarn Resort | Mae Hong Son town and nearby | Budget | It suits travellers who want a simple in-town base near the airport, bus station and night market. |
| Riverhouse Resort | Mae Sariang (Yuam River) | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want a family-run, teak-furnished hotel on the Yuam River in Mae Sariang. |
| Riverhouse Hotel (The Teak House) | Mae Sariang (Yuam River) | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want a small teak-built hotel with an on-site restaurant along the Yuam River. |
| River Bank Resort | Mae Sariang (Yuam River) | Budget | It suits travellers who want a clean, air-conditioned room in Mae Sariang's old town. |
| Chasa Rakthai Resort | Ban Rak Thai / Mae Aw / Ban Ruam Thai (Pang Ung) | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want a Yunnan-style resort among the tea plantations of Ban Rak Thai. |
| Pala Coffee House Homestay (Pang Ung) | Ban Rak Thai / Mae Aw / Ban Ruam Thai (Pang Ung) | Budget | It suits travellers who want a simple homestay 300 metres from Pang Ung with home-roasted coffee. |
| Cave Lodge | Soppong / Pang Mapha / Mae Lana | Budget | It suits travellers who want a riverside lodge near Tham Lod cave with dorm, hut and bungalow options. |
| Aerie Lodge | Soppong / Pang Mapha / Mae Lana | Mid-range | It suits travellers who want air-conditioned teak-furnished rooms in the Soppong cave area. |
| Mae Lana Garden Home | Soppong / Pang Mapha / Mae Lana | Budget | It suits travellers who want a village stay in a Shan-style bamboo house in Mae Lana. |
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
The Imperial Mae Hong Son Resort
- The site lists a walk to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu among its offerings. [Source]
- The site describes a free-form pool set among greenery. [Source]
- The site offers sunrise yoga and says it provides yoga mats. [Source]
- The site lists a book-direct benefit of a free stay for two children aged 0-11 without an extra bed. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a resort with a pool, a jogging route and morning yoga, with a walk to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu offered.
Keep in mind: The site lists the pool hours as 07:00 - 18:00 daily.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Fern Resort
- The site gives its address in Pha Bong subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son (Thai page). [Source]
- The site lists two swimming pools with natural views. [Source]
- The site lists a cafe and sunset bar. [Source]
- The site describes simple, cosy accommodation with the essentials. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a quiet, nature-focused stay with two pools, rice-field surroundings and a sunset bar.
Keep in mind: The site says luxury here means simplicity, not extravagance, so rooms are described as simple.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
B2 Mae Hong Son Premier Resort
- The site says the resort is on Siri Mongkol Road. [Source]
- The site says Mae Hong Son Airport is a 7-minute drive away. [Source]
- The site says the resort has 42 guest rooms and suites. [Source]
- The site says rooms include hi-speed wireless internet and a refrigerator. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want an outdoor-pool resort a short drive from Mae Hong Son Airport.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Rimtarn Resort
- The site says the resort is in Mae Hong Son town. [Source]
- The site says it is easy to reach the airport, bus station, night market and temple. [Source]
- The site says the resort has 40 rooms. [Source]
- The site offers free 24-hour Wi-Fi. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a simple in-town base near the airport, bus station and night market.
Keep in mind: The English page says bookings are taken by phone, fax or email, and the site looks dated (copyright 2012).
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Angkun-ane, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Riverhouse Resort
- The site gives its address on Langpanich Road, Mae Sariang. [Source]
- The site says all 42 guestrooms use teak furniture. [Source]
- The site cites the Yuam River and surrounding mountains as the scenery. [Source]
- The site says it is family-run. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a family-run, teak-furnished hotel on the Yuam River in Mae Sariang.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Angkun-ane, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Riverhouse Hotel (The Teak House)
- The site gives its address on Langpanich Road, Mae Sariang. [Source]
- The site says it is 50 metres from the Riverhouse Resort and built entirely of teak. [Source]
- The site says there are 12 rooms. [Source]
- The site lists a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a small teak-built hotel with an on-site restaurant along the Yuam River.
Keep in mind: The site asks guests to remove their shoes, as is customary in Thai households.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Angkun-ane, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
River Bank Resort
- The site gives its address on Langpanich Road, Mae Sariang. [Source]
- The site describes the location as the heart of Mae Sariang's old town. [Source]
- The site lists air-conditioning, hot water, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi in rooms. [Source]
- The site lists Single, Twin, Double and Deluxe room types. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a clean, air-conditioned room in Mae Sariang's old town.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Valanagut, CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
Chasa Rakthai Resort
- The site gives its address in Mok Cham Pae subdistrict, Mueang Mae Hong Son. [Source]
- The site says the resort has a restaurant and a garden. [Source]
- The site describes a Yunnan-style resort among tea plantations. [Source]
- The site lists breakfast hours of 08:00 to 10:00 daily. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a Yunnan-style resort among the tea plantations of Ban Rak Thai.
Keep in mind: The site lists breakfast only from 08:00 to 10:00 daily.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Valanagut, CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
Pala Coffee House Homestay (Pang Ung)
- The site gives its address in Ban Ruam Thai (Pang Ung), Mok Cham Pae, Mueang Mae Hong Son. [Source]
- The site says the stay is only 300 metres from Pang Ung. [Source]
- The site describes simple accommodation that blends with nature. [Source]
- The site says the owner offers hand-roasted coffee. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a simple homestay 300 metres from Pang Ung with home-roasted coffee.
Keep in mind: The site describes the accommodation as simple (ที่พักแบบเรียบง่าย).
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Cave Lodge
- The site gives its address in Tham Lod, Pang Mapha. [Source]
- The site says Cave Lodge was established in 1984. [Source]
- The site lists dorm beds, basic huts and bungalows with ensuite bathrooms and balconies. [Source]
- The site says Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk from the lodge. [Source]
- The FAQ says Wi-Fi reaches some but not all bungalows. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a riverside lodge near Tham Lod cave with dorm, hut and bungalow options.
Keep in mind: The FAQ says Wi-Fi reaches some but not all bungalows and that credit cards are not accepted.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Aerie Lodge
- The site gives its address in Soppong, Pang Mapha. [Source]
- The site describes its location in Soppong amid hill tribe villages and caves. [Source]
- The site lists fast Wi-Fi. [Source]
- The site describes air-conditioned rooms with teak furniture. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want air-conditioned teak-furnished rooms in the Soppong cave area.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Area photo, not the hotel. Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Mae Lana Garden Home
- The site gives its address in Pang Mapha, Soppong. [Source]
- The site says it is in a small village called Mae Lana in karstic mountains. [Source]
- The site says its food comes from its garden or the local community. [Source]
- The site describes a bamboo Shan-style organic house. [Source]
Suits: It suits travellers who want a village stay in a Shan-style bamboo house in Mae Lana.
Keep in mind: The site says to call rather than email, and that transport from Route 1095 or Soppong can be arranged with the host.
Official site Check rates on Booking.com Checked 2026-10-16
Choose by trip style
| Your priority | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flying in, short stay | Mae Hong Son town | The airport is in Chong Kham subdistrict; B2 says it is a 7-minute drive from the resort |
| Driving the loop from Chiang Mai | Mae Sariang | Wikivoyage lists Route 108 as about 3 hours from Chiang Mai; the riverside hotels share Langpanich Road |
| Tea hills and cool-season mornings | Ban Rak Thai and Pang Ung area | Thai Holiday Guide puts Ban Rak Thai about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town; confirm the drive on a map |
| Caves and hill villages | Soppong, Tham Lod and Mae Lana | Pang Mapha is the northernmost district; Cave Lodge says Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk and a bus runs from Pai in about an hour |
| Budget stay with a host | Mae Lana, Pang Ung or Mae Hong Son town | Hotels here describe simple stays; read each card for what the site actually says |
Planning your days around Mae Hong Son
We have no registered tour listing for Mae Hong Son yet, so we show no tour prices. The button opens Klook's own Mae Hong Son search, which currently earns us nothing. Check opening times and fees on each site's own page.
- Mae Hong Son travel guide: getting there, seasons and towns
- Pai travel guide: the valley town on the loop
- Chiang Mai travel guide: the usual starting point
Disclosure: we are an affiliate partner of travel booking sites, but these links currently open the providers' own sites and earn us nothing yet.
Getting to Mae Hong Son
Wikipedia says Bangkok Airways flies daily between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Airport and that the town can be reached by car or bus on the Mae Hong Son loop. The button opens the 12Go Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son page for bus and minivan options; check the departure point, the timetable and the mountain-road journey time before you book. Our Chiang Mai guide covers the usual starting point.
Read the Chiang Mai travel guide Check Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son on 12Go
Affiliate disclosure: these links may earn us a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we write.
Before you book
- Open the map link for the area and then check the hotel's exact pin. A neighbourhood name can cover a wide area.
- Check the final rate with tax, payment timing, cancellation terms and what the room includes.
- If arriving late, confirm the check-in method and the last transport that actually runs.
- Check the Thai Meteorological Department forecast (tmd.go.th) and the Department of Highways (doh.go.th) for road conditions before you set out; the roads are mountainous.
- Smoke and haze can affect northern Thailand from late winter into summer. Check Air4Thai before you confirm a non-refundable booking, and see the best time to visit Thailand by region.
- Several smaller properties here ask you to phone rather than email, have simple rooms or take no credit cards. Read the caution line on each card and confirm by phone.
- Planning a longer northern trip? See Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and the Chiang Rai stay guide.
FAQ
Where should I stay in Mae Hong Son?
If you fly in, Mae Hong Son town is the simplest base: the airport is in Chong Kham subdistrict and B2 says it is a 7-minute drive from its resort. If you drive the loop from Chiang Mai, plan one night in Mae Sariang. For tea hills, look at Ban Rak Thai.
Where should I stay in Mae Sariang?
The hotels we checked, Riverhouse Resort, Riverhouse Teak House and River Bank Resort, all give Langpanich Road addresses and sit on or near the Yuam River. See the Mae Sariang section for what each site says.
Is it better to stay in Mae Hong Son town or Ban Rak Thai?
Town gives you the airport, temples and restaurants. Ban Rak Thai is a highland village about 45 km north of town according to Thai Holiday Guide, so it suits people with their own transport who want tea-house mornings. Many visitors split the stay.
Do I need a car?
Not always. In Mae Hong Son town you can manage with taxis or a hired driver. For Ban Rak Thai, Pang Ung, Tham Lod and Mae Lana a car or driver is much easier, and Mae Lana Garden Home says transport can be arranged with the host.
When is the best time to visit Mae Hong Son?
Wikipedia says winters are dry and warm and the monsoon runs from May to October. Cave Lodge says cool-season mornings can be 3-5 degrees Celsius. Smoke can build up in March and April in some years, so check air quality.
How do I get to Mae Hong Son?
Wikipedia says Bangkok Airways flies daily between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Airport (check the current schedule), and the town can be reached by car or bus from Chiang Mai on the Mae Hong Son loop.
Is there a hotel in Khun Yuam?
We did not list one because we could not find a Khun Yuam hotel with a working official website of its own. Wikipedia says the Yuam River and Mae Surin Waterfall are in the district; see the Mae Hong Son travel guide.
Can I stay near Tham Lod cave?
Cave Lodge says its address is in Tham Lod, Pang Mapha, and that Tham Lod cave is a five-minute walk. It lists dorm beds, basic huts and bungalows. Its FAQ says Wi-Fi reaches some but not all bungalows.
Are prices shown on this page?
No. We cannot verify live rates for your dates, so the booking links open a search where you enter your own dates.
Official sources and further reading
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
