NiceStory Chiangmai Resort is a five-star lodge sitting 45.1 km from the Old City centre and 46.5 km from Chiang Mai International Airport — figures that mark this out immediately as a rural retreat rather than a city-centre base. Three reviews average 8.9 out of 10, and rooms have been found around 2,691 THB a night, with free Wi-Fi and a breakfast-included plan available. Parking is among the confirmed guest-loved highlights, sensible given how far this property sits from anywhere reachable on foot. I've never set foot in this particular resort, and with the limited data I have on hand, I'll keep this account honest rather than embellished — but the surrounding landscape of waterfalls and tea plantations tells you plenty about the kind of stay this is.
Getting to NiceStory Chiangmai Resort
The distances here are worth stating plainly: 46.5 km from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) and 45.1 km from the Old City centre, both well over an hour's drive. Parking is confirmed as a guest-loved amenity, which makes sense — this is not a resort anyone reaches without a car. Check-in runs from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00. What that distance buys is proximity to a different Chiang Mai altogether: waterfalls, tea plantations, and an elephant sanctuary sit within a short drive, well before the city's temples and markets come into range. This is a resort for travellers building a nature-focused leg into their trip, not a base for exploring the Old City.
Rooms & What to Expect
Four room types are confirmed, all at 22 sqm: the Standard Room, the Standard River View (with a river view), a River View Room (labelled with a mountain view in the source data — worth confirming directly which outlook you're booking), and the Economy King Non-Smoking, with 1 single bed and a mountain view. These are compact rooms by any measure, in keeping with a lodge built around its surroundings rather than expansive interiors.
Amenities & Facilities
Free Wi-Fi reaches every room, and parking is confirmed on-site — a genuine necessity at this distance from the city. A breakfast-included room plan is available. Review scores by category show cleanliness at 9/10 (against a city average of 8.9), facilities at 10/10 (average 8.8), location at 8/10 (average 8.1), service at 10/10 (average 9), and value for money at 9/10 (average 8.4) — a consistently above-average showing across the board, with facilities and service standing out as particular strengths.
What's Nearby in Chiang Mai — Temples, Markets & Local Life
This is where NiceStory Chiangmai Resort separates itself from almost every other property in this guide. The Elephant Rescue Park is just 6.96 km away — close enough for a half-day visit without a long drive first. Arruksa Tea Plantation is 4.87 km off, a chance to see the region's tea terraces up close. Two waterfalls sit within easy reach: Tat Por Waterfall at 6.89 km and Sakee Waterfall at 7.27 km, both suggesting a landscape of forest and running water rather than temple spires. The Old City's own landmarks, by contrast, are a genuine excursion: Chiang Mai Zoo at 41.42 km, Wat Phra Singh at 44.9 km, Wat Chedi Luang (วัดเจดีย์หลวง) at 45.24 km, and Tha Phae Gate at 45.46 km. A guest staying here is choosing the mountains and the elephants over the temple bells — a legitimate choice, and for many travellers, the whole point of coming north in the first place.
Dining
A breakfast-included room plan is available at NiceStory Chiangmai Resort, though no specific on-site dining venue has been confirmed, so I won't name one that isn't in the facts I have.
Other Hotels Nearby
Cozy Wild sits 6.5 km away, four-star, rated 8.8/10, reachable at this listing. At the same 6.5 km distance is 4sky, five-star and rated 8.4/10. A little further, at 7.8 km, is PHULAYYA Chiangmai - Pool Villa House, a 4.5-star property rated 8.2/10. All three sit in the same rural pocket of the province, suggesting a small but growing cluster of nature-oriented stays out here.
Guest Reviews
Three reviews average 8.9 out of 10 — a small sample, worth saying so directly, but a consistently strong one. Facilities and service both hit a perfect 10/10, well above the city averages of 8.8 and 9 respectively. Cleanliness scored 9/10 against an average of 8.9, value for money 9/10 against 8.4, and location 8/10 against 8.1 — every category at or above what Agoda tracks citywide, a solid result for a resort this far from the centre.
Good to Know
NiceStory Chiangmai Resort is a five-star lodge 45.1 km from the Old City centre and 46.5 km from Chiang Mai International Airport. Rooms found around 2,691 THB a night include free Wi-Fi and the option of a breakfast-included plan, with parking available on-site. Check-in is from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. A car is essential for this stay, both to reach the resort and to explore the surrounding waterfalls, tea plantation, and elephant park.
For a traveller who has already seen the Old City's temples, or who's willing to save them for a different day of the trip, NiceStory Chiangmai Resort offers something the centre of town cannot: waterfalls and an elephant sanctuary within a short drive, and quiet at every hour. It asks for real travel time up front — worth knowing before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is NiceStory Chiangmai Resort from central Chiang Mai? It's 45.1 km from the Old City centre — plan on over an hour's drive.
What time is check-in and check-out? Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00.
Is the Elephant Rescue Park nearby? Yes, it's just 6.96 km from the resort, one of the closest attractions to the property.
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 NiceStory Chiangmai Resort
ชม.3052, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province Quarter · 28.4 km (Drive ~63 min) from Wat Pa Dara Phirom
Golden Hour & Heritage
Staying at NiceStory Chiangmai Resort puts you 28.4 km (Drive ~63 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 30.5 km (Drive ~68 min) from NiceStory Chiangmai Resort, while evening strolls to CMU Art Museum Sunday Market (42.5 km · Drive ~94 min) offer an authentic slice of local life.
Nearby Culinary Gem
Don't miss Mon Cham Coffee Hill, located just 16.5 km (Drive ~37 min) from NiceStory Chiangmai Resort — a top local favorite for authentic Chiang Mai flavors and specialty coffee.
4-Dimension Stay Profile for NiceStory Chiangmai Resort
Tranquility & Rest
5-star property in Chiang Mai 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, 30.5 km (Drive ~68 min) to 7-Eleven Mae Rim Intersection
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Internet services
- Internet
- Car park [on-site]
- Hair dryer
- Towels
- Shower
- Bathrobe
- Bathtub
Uncle Kham's 1-Day Neighborhood Route
1-Day Custom Route Starting from NiceStory Chiangmai Resort (Chiang Mai) — 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
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 NiceStory Chiangmai Resort located in Chiang Mai?
ชม.3052, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, about 45.14 km from the Old City and about 46.50 km from Chiang Mai Airport (CNX)
How much does NiceStory Chiangmai Resort cost?
Latest Agoda pricing for 2026-10-27: from ฿3,028 per night. Actual price varies by date and room type — tap "Check Price" for the current rate.
What is NiceStory Chiangmai Resort's review score?
9.2 out of 10 (Exceptional), based on 2 real guest reviews on Agoda
Does NiceStory Chiangmai Resort have WiFi or breakfast?
Free WiFi is included and Some room plans include breakfast (depends on room type)
Smart Neighborhood Radar around NiceStory Chiangmai Resort
Top curated landmarks, heritage temples, artisan cafes, and activities with GPS walking guides.
Elephant Nature Park
Founded by Lek Chailert in the 1990s, Elephant Nature Park is internationally recognised as Asia's most ethical elephant sanctuary and rescue centre. The park rehabilitates abused, injured, and retired working elephants in a natural 250-acre habitat in Mae Taeng. Day visitors walk alongside free-roaming elephants, feed them, observe their social bonds — no hooks, no riding, no performances.
Mon Cham Coffee Hill
A collection of family-run highland cafés and strawberry picking farms dotting the hillsides of Mon Cham at 1,200-1,300 metres. Visitors pick fresh strawberries, shop for highland produce, and enjoy freshly brewed shade-grown Arabica coffee while watching clouds drift through the valleys below. The area's cafés are among the most scenically situated in all of Thailand.
Mon Jam Royal Agricultural Station
Perched at 1,300 metres in the Chiang Dao range, Mon Jam is Chiang Mai's most scenic highland destination. A Royal Project station grows strawberries, kiwi, peaches, and Japanese vegetables on terraced hillsides. The spectacular 'sea of mist' views across the valleys below are most extraordinary from October to February. The Khun Chang Khian hilltop café serves fresh mountain coffee.
Chiang Dao Cave
The largest accessible cave system in Northern Thailand, extending 14 km into the rock face of Doi Chiang Dao mountain. The accessible public section reveals spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations illuminated by the cave's natural light, along with revered Buddha shrines. Local Karen guides lead candle-lit excursions into the deeper, unlit chambers for the adventurous.
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.
Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
One of Thailand's most important biodiversity hotspots, centred on the 2,175-metre limestone peak of Doi Chiang Dao — the third highest mountain in Thailand. The sanctuary protects over 300 bird species including critically endangered ones, wild elephants, barking deer, and over 30 orchid species found nowhere else. The summit trail is a world-class birdwatching destination, especially October to March.
Chiang Dao Reservoir (Ang Kaew)
A tranquil reservoir at the base of Doi Chiang Dao, offering kayaking, bamboo raft rides, and lakeside camping in a remote and pristine setting. The surrounding wetlands are rich in waterbirds and migratory species. On still early mornings, the sheer limestone cliff face of Doi Chiang Dao reflects perfectly in the mirror-smooth water — one of the most beautiful natural views in Thailand.
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls
Unlike any waterfall on Earth — Bua Tong's travertine limestone deposits create a surface so grippy with calcium carbonate that visitors can walk directly up and down the cascades without slipping. Three tiers of falls surrounded by dense jungle in Chet Si national forest, with natural swimming pools at each level. Truly one of Thailand's most unusual natural attractions.
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 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.