Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [247]
Sarah Guest House ( Map; 0 5320 8271; http://sarahgh.hypermart.net; 20 Soi 4, Th Tha Phae; s 240-400B, d 300-450B; ) A long-running backpacker spot, Sarah’s sits in a quiet garden and is run by the original English owner. There are only 12 simple rooms, which have chunky wood furniture and large bathrooms, and the option of fan or air-con.
New Mitrapap Hotel ( Map; 0 5325 1262; fax 0 5325 1260; 94/96 Th Ratchawong; r from 330B; ) Near Talat Warorot, New Mitrapap is a bit of a time warp both for its prices and its classic Thai-Chinese hotel decor. The air-con rooms are good value with TV and mini-fridge. The hotel is built around a central atrium and skylight making the hallways bright and sunny.
Roong Ruang Hotel ( Map; 0 5323 4746; fax 0 5325 2409; roongruanghotel@yahoo.com; 398 Th Tha Phae; r 400-800B; ) With a prime location near Pratu Tha Phae, Roong Ruang is a great deal for an older-style hotel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the interior courtyard is cocooned from traffic noise and the 2nd-floor rooms have pleasant sitting areas on the shared terrace. The more expensive rooms have air-con, while the cheaper rooms have fan.
Lai-Thai Guesthouse ( Map; 0 5327 1725; www.laithai.com; 111/4-5 Th Kotchasan; r 440-750B; ) This three-storey apartment-court building is outfitted in northern Thai decor, transforming an otherwise institutional setting into ethno-chic. The rooms are comfortable if a little cramped, with cable TV and mini-fridge. The cheapest rooms are on the top floor and share a bathroom. This property comes at a decent price for a place with a pool, but the location is right beside a busy, traffic-filled street.
Thapae Boutique House ( Map; 0 5328 5295, www.thapaeboutiquehouse.com; 4 Soi 5, Th Tha Phae; r from 750B; ) Smart and stylish Thapae Boutique House delivers all the flashpacker standards: a plum bed, bamboo-themed decor, cute bathrooms and breezy outdoor sitting areas.
Baan Kaew Guest House ( Map; 0 5327 1606; www.baankaew-guesthouse.com; 142 Th Charoen Prathet; r 800B; ) Hiding away from the tourist crowds in a genteel part of the city, Baan Kaew is the type of place that Chiang Mai veterans might call home for an extended stay. The two-storey apartment building is set back from the road behind the owner’s own residence. The rooms are well maintained but rather bland and have mini-fridges and outdoor seating areas. The manager speaks English and enjoys a good chat about world politics.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
Amora ( Map; 0 5325 1531; www.amorahotels.com; 22 Th Chaiyaphum; r 1900-2200B; ) Think of it as Chiang Mai’s Best Western: adequate rooms, adequate beds and hotel-issue decor. Amora’s best features are the pool and the big drinkable view of Doi Suthep from the rooms. Rates include breakfast but there’s a usage charge for internet.
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel ( Map; 0 5328 3900; www.imperialhotels.com; 153 Th Si Donchai; r from 4000B; ) Of the big boxy hotels near the night bazaar, Imperial Mae Ping has the best combination of Asian quirks and modern fashion. Renovations are creeping through the hotel floor by floor, and at the time of writing the superior rooms had just been nicely modernised. Starting at the 5th floor, there are grand views of Doi Suthep. Floors are segregated into smoking and non-smoking.
Banthai Village ( Map; 0 5325 2789; www.banthaivillage.com; 19 Soi 3, Th Tha Phae; r from 4500B; ) The stylised rice village is a popular concept for Chiang Mai’s new boutique hotels, but Banthai’s version gets a few things right: the rooms are big enough to walk around in without bumping into hard modern corners. With