Up toward Mae Sa, roughly twenty kilometres north of the Old City, VANA Homestay has built one of the more consistently excellent guest records covered in this whole guide — a 5-star property where a Japanese-style room sits alongside deluxe doubles and twins, all set around a garden, with free breakfast and Wi-Fi included as standard. ลุงคำ notices when a small homestay this far out scores this well across the board; it usually means the people running it actually care about the details. Six reviews isn't a huge sample, but every single one of them landing near-perfect says more about the day-to-day running of the place than any facilities list could.
Getting to VANA Homestay Chiang Mai
VANA Homestay sits in the Mae Sa area, 19.9 km from the centre of the Old City and 19.7 km from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) — almost identical distances either direction, and a genuine drive into Chiang Mai's rural north. Location scores an excellent 9.6 out of 10 here, comfortably ahead of the Chiang Mai city average of 8.1, a strong result for a property this far outside the centre. As the road climbs into Mae Sa, the pace of the drive itself slows — fewer cars, more open country either side — and by the time you arrive the city already feels like a different trip entirely.
Rooms & What to Expect
Four room types sit on file. The Japanese Style Room runs 50 square metres with a garden view, a distinctive layout among the options here. The Deluxe Twin comes in more compact at 28 square metres with two large beds, while the Panorama Family Suite matches the Japanese room's 50 square metres, also with two large beds, built for a family travelling together. The Deluxe Double, at 24 square metres with one large bed, is the most intimate of the four, and also opens onto a garden view. Across the board, garden views and generous bed sizing run through nearly every configuration. The Japanese Style Room in particular stands out as something you won't find replicated at most other homestays in this guide — a distinctive design choice rather than a standard room dressed up with a different name.
Amenities & Facilities
A garden anchors the property's confirmed facilities, alongside dedicated family rooms and 24-hour reception — genuinely useful for guests arriving outside standard hours given the distance from the city. Free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast are both confirmed among the guest-loved highlights, alongside daily housekeeping. It's a modest list next to a resort's, and that fits VANA's homestay format exactly — the focus here is on genuine hospitality rather than a long amenities menu. A 24-hour reception this far from the city is a genuinely reassuring detail too — arriving late after a long drive north doesn't mean guessing whether anyone's awake to let you in.
What's Nearby — Temples, Markets & Local Life
The city's landmarks sit a real distance from VANA Homestay — Chiang Mai Zoo is 15.14 km away, Wat Phra That Doi Kham 17.47 km, Chiang Mai Night Safari 19.18 km, Wat Phra Singh 19.44 km, and Wat Chedi Luang 19.92 km — all a proper drive rather than a casual outing. Closer to the homestay itself, the Nong Hoi Royal Project Development Center sits just 290 metres away, Pha Tha Phon Cave 1.95 km, Mon Long viewpoint 2.56 km, and Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden also 2.56 km — a genuinely nature-focused set of nearby stops that fits the whole reason for staying out this way — caves, a viewpoint, a royal project centre, a botanic garden, none of it the kind of sightseeing you'd find inside the city's moat.
Dining
No on-site restaurant is confirmed at VANA Homestay, though a free breakfast is included as standard, covering the first meal of the day without any extra planning. For other meals, guests should factor in the distance from the city and plan accordingly.
Other Hotels Nearby
Just 0.8 km away sits Flora Prairie at Mae Rim Chiang Mai, a 4-star property scoring 9.2 out of 10. A little further, at 1.0 km, is Deepsleep456, also 4-star, with a perfect 10 out of 10 score. And also at 1.0 km sits the 360 Black Cabin, a mountain-view property with a warm mineral pool, rated 4.5 stars at 9.7 out of 10 — a genuinely strong cluster of highly rated stays in the same pocket of Mae Sa.
Guest Reviews
Six reviews land VANA Homestay at 9.5 out of 10 overall. Cleanliness and Service both hit a perfect 10 out of 10, against city averages of 8.9 and 9 respectively. Facilities and Value for money both come in at 9.6, against averages of 8.8 and 8.4. Location, as noted, scores 9.6 against 8.1 — every single category here runs meaningfully ahead of the Chiang Mai city average, a genuinely strong result across the board for a small homestay this far from the centre.
Good to Know
The indicative nightly rate found was 3,253 THB. Free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast are both confirmed as standard. There's no on-site restaurant beyond that included breakfast, so plan other meals with the distance from the city in mind.
For guests who want a genuinely well-run homestay in Chiang Mai's rural north, with a distinctive room style and a review record to back it up, VANA Homestay is one of the strongest small picks in this guide. ลุงคำ rates the consistency here highly — every category, not just one or two, comes in well above what the city typically delivers. That's the sort of result that only comes from a place actually being run well day after day, not from a single lucky season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is breakfast included at VANA Homestay? Yes, a free breakfast is included as standard.
How far is VANA Homestay from the Old City? It's 19.9 km away, a genuine drive into Chiang Mai's rural Mae Sa area.
What is VANA Homestay's guest review score? It scores 9.5 out of 10 from six reviews, with perfect 10s in Cleanliness and Service.
Is there a Japanese-style room at VANA Homestay? Yes — the Japanese Style Room, at 50 square metres with a garden view, is one of four room types on file.
Written by Terra Lanna from verified data — star rating, guest review scores, real coordinates and distances, and Agoda's own facility and location data. Master English version; other languages are translated from this.
Local Insider Guide for VANA Homestay
Mae Sa Quarter · 3.2 km (Drive ~7 min) from Wat Pa Dara Phirom
Golden Hour & Heritage
Staying at VANA Homestay puts you 3.2 km (Drive ~7 min) from Wat Pa Dara Phirom. Visit around 7:00 AM or 5:00 PM when warm golden-hour sunlight illuminates the Lanna architecture without crowds.
Everyday Walkability
For everyday essentials, 7-Eleven Mae Rim Intersection is only 11.3 km (Drive ~25 min) from VANA Homestay, while evening strolls to CMU Art Museum Sunday Market (16.4 km · Drive ~37 min) offer an authentic slice of local life.
Nearby Culinary Gem
Don't miss Mon Cham Coffee Hill, located just 15.1 km (Drive ~34 min) from VANA Homestay — a top local favorite for authentic Chiang Mai flavors and specialty coffee.
4-Dimension Stay Profile for VANA Homestay
Tranquility & Rest
5-star property in Mae Sa offering restful sleep and serene surroundings.
Aesthetic & Character
Distinctive architectural character within easy reach of Wat Pa Dara Phirom.
Walkability & Access
Convenient access to 24h essentials and CMU Art Museum Sunday Market from the property.
Dining & Cafe Scene
Surrounded by local northern eateries and specialty coffee including Mon Cham Coffee Hill.
Walking Convenience & Everyday Essentials
Peaceful & Private Retreat — Scenic setting, 11.3 km (Drive ~25 min) to 7-Eleven Mae Rim Intersection
- Garden
- Family room
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Thai
- English
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Internet
- Garden
- Hand sanitizer
- Coffee shop
- Bottled water
- Breakfast service
- Restaurant
- Free breakfast
- BBQ facilities
- Contactless check-in/out
- Laundry service
- Daily housekeeping
- Terrace
- Family/child friendly
- Family room
- Check-in/out [private]
- Exterior corridor
- Front desk [24-hour]
- 24-hour security
- Non-smoking room
- Themed rooms
- Free parking
- Toiletries
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Shower
- Non-smoking room
- Free wireless Internet
Uncle Kham's 1-Day Neighborhood Route
1-Day Custom Route Starting from VANA Homestay (Mae Sa) — Calculated from real GPS coordinates connecting Wat Pa Dara Phirom, Mon Cham Coffee Hill, and CMU Art Museum Sunday Market
Scores from guests who booked through Agoda
- ม่อนแจ่ม - 4.66 km from the property
Distances from the property's Agoda listing
Straight-line distance from the property · Check-in times and policies as stated by the property
Where is VANA Homestay located in Chiang Mai?
Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, about 19.89 km from the Old City and about 19.72 km from Chiang Mai Airport (CNX)
How much does VANA Homestay cost?
Latest Agoda pricing for 2026-10-27: from ฿3,236 per night. Actual price varies by date and room type — tap "Check Price" for the current rate.
What is VANA Homestay's review score?
9.5 out of 10 (Exceptional), based on 6 real guest reviews on Agoda
Does VANA Homestay have WiFi or breakfast?
Free WiFi is included and Some room plans include breakfast (depends on room type)
Smart Neighborhood Radar around VANA Homestay
Top curated landmarks, heritage temples, artisan cafes, and activities with GPS walking guides.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
One of Chiang Mai's most ethical elephant experiences, rescuing elephants from illegal logging, street begging, and tourist riding. Visitors walk with elephants through jungle trails, prepare their food, and observe natural herd behaviour — no riding, no shows, no hooks. Multiple half-day and full-day programmes available including overnight stays in the Karen hill tribe village.
Wat Pa Dara Phirom
Hidden in the forested hills of Mae Rim, this forest monastery was built in honour of Chao Dara Rasami, a Chiang Mai princess and beloved consort of King Rama V. The beautifully maintained teak pavilions, intricate Lanna carvings, and tranquil forest setting make it one of the most atmospheric and least-visited temples in Northern Thailand — an authentic spiritual retreat.
Mae Sa Elephant Camp
The most established elephant camp in Thailand, operating since 1976 with a serious conservation mission. Home to over 80 elephants, Mae Sa runs a nationally recognised breeding programme and is affiliated with the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre. Offers mahout training, feeding, bathing, and artistically-directed elephant painting demonstrations, along with educational shows.
Maesa Snake Farm
Thailand's most informative snake facility, featuring over 40 species of Thai serpents including deadly cobras, king cobras, and pythons. Daily live shows demonstrate snake handling, venom extraction for antivenin production, and survival skills. Educational exhibits explain Thailand's snake ecology and how to identify dangerous species — essential knowledge for jungle trekkers.
Mae Rim Orchid Farm
A sprawling orchid nursery cultivating over 15,000 varieties of tropical orchids, many endemic to Thailand, under shaded greenhouse tunnels draped in cascading blooms of every conceivable colour. The farm exports premium orchids to markets worldwide. Visitors can browse the nursery, watch propagation techniques, and purchase exotic plants and floral arrangements at wholesale prices.
Tiger Kingdom Mae Rim
Home to over 80 tigers ranging from tiny cubs to magnificent full-grown adults, Tiger Kingdom allows visitors to enter supervised enclosures for a close-up experience. Professional caretakers explain tiger behaviour and the conservation programme. Multiple packages are available based on tiger size. The facility runs a breeding and wildlife education programme.
Flight of the Gibbon
Southeast Asia's original award-winning zipline adventure, weaving 3 km through the forest canopy at 1,300 metres elevation in Mae Kampong Valley. The course includes 28 platforms, sky bridges, spiral staircases, and observation decks. Gibbon encounters and conservation education are integral to the experience. Consistently rated one of the top eco-adventures in Asia.
Pong Yang Zipline & Jungle Coaster
The most diverse adventure park in Mae Rim combines a high-altitude zipline course with Thailand's most exciting jungle coaster — a gravity-powered stainless-steel rail ride dropping 800 metres through bamboo forest at thrilling speeds with manual braking. ATV tracks, off-road buggies, and a go-kart circuit complete the offering. Suitable for children from age 3 and up.
Mae Sa Valley Scenic Drive
The winding mountain road through Mae Sa Valley (Route 1096) passes a series of panoramic viewpoints overlooking a patchwork of highland orchid farms, tribal villages, and dense jungle. On clear winter mornings a spectacular mist fills the valley floor. Multiple roadside stalls sell fresh-pressed pomelo juice, hill tribe coffee, and local snacks along the 26 km route.
In-Depth Travel Guides Nearby