The Dusit D2 Chiang Mai, a well-known hotel in the city, has officially closed after 18 years of operation, leaving both locals and visitors saddened by its departure.

The closure was announced on Thursday, with a statement posted on the hotel’s Facebook page thanking guests for their support and memories.

The hotel encouraged visitors to experience the next chapter of Dusit at other locations, including Dusit Princess Chiang Mai.

Originally opening as the Chiang Inn Hotel in 1974, the Dusit D2 became a prominent landmark on Night Bazaar Road after it was rebranded in 2005 by the Dusit Thani Group.

Designed by National Artist Chulathat Kitibutr, the hotel’s striking architecture made it an iconic feature of Chiang Mai.

The hotel was built on land owned by the Kitibutr family, a well-established business family in the region.

Despite the growth of Thailand’s tourism industry, the closure of Dusit D2 underscores the ongoing difficulties faced by hotel operators still recovering from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Lotus Pang Suan Kaew hotel, another iconic hotel in Chiang Mai, also closed earlier this year after 33 years of operation.

The closure of both hotels highlights the challenges the hospitality sector in Chiang Mai continues to face, as businesses work to adapt in a post-pandemic landscape.