Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [346]
Phan Nu House (08 1972 4467; 563/3 Th Intharakhiri; r 250-500B; ) This new place unites 19 large rooms in a residential compound just off the street. Most are equipped with air-con, TV, fridge and hot water, making them a good deal.
Ban Thai Guest House (0 5553 1590; banthai _mth@hotmail.com; 740 Th Intharakhiri; r 250-950B; ) This tiny neighbourhood of five converted Thai houses down a hibiscus-lined alley has spacious, very stylish wooden rooms with Thai-style furniture, axe lounging pillows and Thai textiles. The cheaper rooms have plentiful shared bathrooms; the more expensive have en suite bathrooms, large terraces and some come with a lounge/office. Shared sitting areas have cable TV, DVDs and free wireless internet. There are bicycles and motorbikes to rent and a laundry service. The place is popular with long-stay NGO workers, so booking ahead is a good idea.
First Hotel (0 5553 1233; fax 0 5553 1340; 44 Th Intharakhiri; r with fan/air-con 270/450B; ) This is among the more bizarre hotels we’ve encountered in our research for this book. From the outside the First appears abandoned, or worse. However, the inside reveals a fantasy of teak, with elaborate carvings ranging from gargoyles to mermaids covering virtually every surface. The rooms are huge, floored in marble, feature even more teak carvings, and appear quite comfortable.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
Rujira (0 5554 4969; rujira_tom@hotmail.com; 3/18 Th Buakjoon; r incl breakfast 350-1000B; ) This great value place has spacious, apartment-like rooms with lots of homey touches. There’s also a pleasant communal feeling, with lots of shaded outdoor seating, a restaurant and a cute coffee shop. The only downside is that it’s a long walk to the town centre. Call for pick-up from the bus station (100B).
Poonnagunn Hotel (0 5553 4732; www.poonnagunn.com; 10/3 Th Intharakhiri; r incl breakfast 1200-1500B; ) This is the kind of hotel you wish you could take with you everywhere; rooms are new and large and tastefully decked out with attractive furnishings, and include a small veranda. The hotel is located about 750m east of town. A 20% discount is generally available.
Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort (0 5553 2601; www.centarahotelsresort.com; 100 Th Asia; r incl breakfast 1800-2000B, ste incl breakfast 3000-3500B; ) For this price range, the rooms here look a bit tired. But if you don’t mind staying outside of the city centre, and require facilities such as a pool, tennis courts, good restaurant, disco and a bar, it’s your only choice.
Eating
Mae Sot is a virtual culinary crossroads with a diversity of cuisines not seen in most other Thai towns. For a fun breakfast head to the area directly south of the mosque where several buzzing Muslim restaurants serve sweet tea, roti and nanbya, tandoor-style bread. The town’s vibrant day market is the place to try Burmese dishes such as mohinga, the country’s unofficial national dish, or Burmese-style curries served over rice. Mae Sot’s night market features mostly Thai/Chinese-style dishes.
Lucky Tea Garden (Th Bun Khun; dishes 10-50B; 5.30am-9pm) For the authentic Burmese teashop experience without crossing over to Myawadi, visit this friendly cafe equipped with sweet tea, tasty snacks, and of course, bad Burmese pop music. Or come with an empty stomach and try one of the better biryanis in town.
Hazel Taste (Th Intharakhiri; dishes 20-60B; 8am-9pm) This modern, air-conditioned cafe offers a huge selection of great coffee drinks, tasty sweets and internet.
Casa Mia (08 7204 4701; Th Don Kaew; dishes 30-180B; 8am-10pm) Tucked down a side street, this simple restaurant serves the cheapest homemade pasta dishes you’ll find anywhere. And better yet, they’re right tasty. They also do Thai and Burmese, and some exceptional desserts, including a wicked banoffee pie.
Aiya (0 5553 0102; 533 Th Intharakhiri;