Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [248]
Yaang Come Village ( Map; 0 5323 7222; www.yaangcome.com; 90/3 Th Si Donchai; r 6000-9000B; ) A clever twist on the Lanna reproduction hotel is this homage to a Tai Lue village, based on the owner’s travels to the Yunnan region of China. The hotel recreates architectural and cultural elements of the highlands village, including the shrine-like water well near the entrance of the property and the steep rooflines of the hotel buildings. Rooms are large and tastefully decorated with murals, textiles and teak furniture. Winding paths and a manicured garden lead to the pool and restaurant.
Le Meridien Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5325 2666; www.starwoodhotels.com; 108 Th Chang Khlan; r from 6000B; ) Scheduled to open a month after the research of this book, Le Meridien is one of three international chains to migrate to the night bazaar area (described on its website as the city’s central business district) to capitalise on the promotion of Chiang Mai as a convention centre.
Manathai ( Map; 0 5328 1666; www.manathai.com; 39/9 Soi 3, Th Tha Phae; r 7000-16,000B; ) Boutique Manathai merges Lanna and colonial elements to create a secluded village around a central swimming pool. The rooms are tightly packed with teak furniture, black-and-white photographs and contemporary bathrooms. Although professional and suited for the sophisticated traveller, the intimate atmosphere seems a tad claustrophobic considering its romantic ambitions.
Shangri-La Hotel ( Map; 0 5325 3888; www.shangri-la.com/chiangmai; 89/8 Th Chang Khlan; r from 7000B; ) This massive corporate tower looks as if it were airlifted from a much bigger megalopolis. It isn’t Chiang Mai’s most charming hotel, but it was built to address the city’s lack of meeting space. The rooms are standard for the chain and the grounds include a huge pool and tennis courts. There’s free wi-fi in the lobby but the rooms only have broadband for a charge.
DusitD2 Chiang Mai ( Map; 0 5399 9999; www.dusit.com; 100 Th Chang Khlan; r 8000B; ) An anomaly in Chiang Mai, D2 is the hotel version of an urban hipster fuelled by funky cocktails and pulsing lounge music. The lobby is a chic chill-out space with orange sherbet palette and moulded furnishings. The rooms are more functional than fashionable. There’s a top-floor fitness room with a view of Doi Suthep and the hotel restaurant and bar have new-millennium attitude.
Riverside
Riverside House ( Map; 0 5324 1860; www.riversidehousechiangmai.com; 101 Th Chiang Mai-Lamphun; r 500-900B; ) Next door to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this quiet and friendly place has great cheap rooms arranged around a pretty garden. All rooms have cable TV and include a continental breakfast. The 700B rooms might get some street noise and there’s a new 900B wing being constructed deeper into the property.
Galare Guest House ( Map; 0 5381 8887; www.galare.com; 7/1 Soi 2, Th Charoen Prathet; r 1100B; ) With an affordable riverside setting, Galare is a repeat visitor’s favourite. Although the rooms don’t have river views, they are spacious, if a tad dated, and open on to a wide shared veranda. There’s a small parking lot and it’s walking distance to the night bazaar.
River View Lodge ( Map; 0 5327 1109; www.riverviewlodgch.com; 25 Soi 4, Th Charoen Prathet; r 1500-2200B; ) The River View Lodge has got an edge on charm, with cabinets stuffed full of antiques and trinkets, a two-level garden overlooking Mae Ping and a good-size pool. The rooms are rather plain, but still bright and breezy with a view of the river. This property also boasts a parking lot and is within walking distance of the night bazaar.
Baan Orapin ( Map; 0 5324 3677; 150 Th Charoenrat; r from 2400B; ) It’s a family affair at Baan Orapin, a pretty garden compound anchored by a stately teak house, which has been in the family since 1914. Guest residences (a total of 15 rooms) are in separate and