Huern Na Na Boutique Hotel — A Teak Hotel with a Pool in Old-Town Phrae You Can Actually Afford
Phrae doesn't have the long hotel list you get in Chiang Mai or Nan — most options are small guesthouses or plain block hotels. That's why Huern Na Na Boutique Hotel comes up so often when people search for somewhere to stay here: it's one of the few places that pairs Lanna-style teak design with an actual outdoor swimming pool, starting at just over a thousand baht. The building stands out with a dark pointed gable and terracotta screens around a manicured lawn. To be upfront — this isn't a flawless luxury property, and guest scores sit in the middle of the range. But once you understand what you're paying, it's one of the better-value beds in town.
Huern Na Na has been open since 2013 and was given a fresh renovation in 2024. The building follows a modern Lanna style — whitewashed structure topped by a dark pointed teak gable, set off against the orange terracotta screens that wrap the front lawn. Clipped topiary lines the garden, so it reads more like a residence than a standard hotel block. What sets it apart from anything else in Phrae is the outdoor swimming pool — genuinely rare for a hotel at this price in the town centre. There are 28 rooms in total, and the one thing returning guests agree on is that the rooms are larger than the rate would suggest.
Rooms split between 36 sqm Deluxe categories and the Empire and Victoria Suites at 72 sqm. The design leans on dark teak throughout — headboards carved into a Lanna temple-gable shape, slatted timber wall panels, and framed northern-Thai artwork. Each room has air conditioning, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, minibar fridge, safe, kettle, bathrobes and slippers. The suites add a separate L-shaped sofa lounge, which works well for families or anyone who wants more room to spread out. Every room has its own balcony. One honest note: some of the furniture is starting to show its age relative to the 2013 opening, so if you expect everything to feel brand new, set that expectation first.
"The room was far larger than I expected for the price — a genuine 36 sqm with a proper teak headboard and slatted walls that actually looked good rather than just themed. We came down for an early swim before heading into the old town and had the pool entirely to ourselves, which was a real bonus. The staff were genuinely helpful without being pushy: they had our airport transfer sorted from the start without us even asking. Dinner at the poolside restaurant was simple but good — local Thai food, quiet setting. We borrowed two of the free bicycles the next morning and cycled to Khum Chao Luang and back with no trouble; Phrae really is flat enough to make cycling easy. For what you pay, this is the best-value stay we found in Phrae by some margin."
The on-site Thai restaurant, Huern Na Na, runs breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the poolside seating in the evening is the spot most guests single out — quiet and relaxed. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and here's the straight version from real reviews: it's fairly simple rather than a big buffet, and a few guests found the choice limited. If you eat a lot in the morning, plan to top up at one of the markets in town. Beyond the restaurant, there's a small Thai massage and spa service on site for winding down after a day of walking.
The hotel sits on Sasibutra Road in Nai Wiang, inside Phrae's old-town district. It's a 10–15 minute walk to Khum Chao Luang, the pink Euro-Lanna mansion that's the town's signature landmark, and not far from Vongburi House, Wat Phra Bat Ming Mueang and the City Pillar Shrine. Honestly, the hotel isn't right on the main restaurant strip, so a few of the well-known eateries need a short ride. The upside is the free bicycles — Phrae is small and flat, so cycling around the old town is easy. Wat Phra That Cho Hae, the most important temple in the province, is outside the town and about a 20–30 minute drive.
Guest scores land in the mid-8s out of 10, and the hotel ranks #2 of 7 in Phrae on the review sites. What guests consistently praise: spacious rooms, comfortable beds, attractive woodwork and friendly staff. What's worth knowing upfront — some reviews flag rooms and furniture that feel dated, with a few rooms needing more upkeep; the pool occasionally closes for cleaning without notice; and the location isn't dead-centre among the restaurants. These limitations are exactly why the score isn't sky-high, but they also track honestly with what you pay.
On price — Huern Na Na starts around ฿1,000/night for a Deluxe room in normal periods, rising to roughly ฿2,600–3,500 for the larger suites in busy season. That's very cheap for what you get: a 36 sqm-plus room, a pool, and free transfers from both the airport and bus station. Phrae's high season is the cool months (November–January) when the weather is at its best and rooms fill quickly — book at least 3–4 weeks ahead for those dates.
The bottom line: Huern Na Na works best for travellers who want a spacious room with a pool in Phrae for around a thousand baht, and who aren't fussed about everything being brand new. You get handsome teak design, an old-town location, easy bicycle access to the temples, and helpful staff. If you're expecting a flawless luxury hotel with fully renovated rooms, or want restaurants right outside the door, this won't be your match. But for a town with limited options like Phrae, it's one of the best-value stays here and worth checking before the alternatives.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Rooms very spacious for the price, comfortable beds
- ✓ Outdoor pool — rare for a hotel at this rate in Phrae
- ✓ Attractive teak woodwork and Lanna-style decor
- ✓ Friendly staff who arrange free transfers
- ! Some rooms and furniture feel dated
- ! Breakfast is fairly simple with limited choice
- ! Not on the restaurant strip — a short ride needed
- ✓ One of the best-value stays in Phrae
- ✓ Suites have a separate lounge — good for families
- ✓ Pleasant poolside dining in the evening
- ✓ Old-town location, easy to cycle to the temples
- ! Pool occasionally closes for cleaning without notice
- ! A few rooms need more upkeep
- ! Fills quickly in the cool season — book ahead
- 💡If room condition matters to you — ask for a recently renovated room when booking, or check the latest photos first → some furniture shows its age relative to the 2013 opening, so verify before you commit
- 💡If you're coming to swim — confirm with the hotel before you travel that the pool is open → some reviews found it closed for cleaning without notice, so it's worth asking
- 💡If you want food within easy walking distance — the hotel isn't on the restaurant strip · use the free bikes or the hotel shuttle → several well-known eateries in Phrae need a short ride