Chang Mai hotel ?

[alanthebuilder]

Im going to Chang-Mia in a few weeks does anyone know of a nice hotel near the center I will have my son and his mate with him so mid range price ,and maybe a pool ?
Thanks guys ... :happy7:

[Neal]

I love the Shangi-la and tell them you live here for a Thailand resident discount!

[alanthebuilder]

I love the Shangi-la and tell them you live here for a Thailand resident discount!
I will look for the web site ,thanks Daboss !

[alanthebuilder]

Deluxe Room
Starting from THB 3,900 per night

A tad high for what we are looking for ,ok if I was with my wife for a couple of days ,but for sure out of my Son and his mates budget ...

[Khor tose]

The pool makes it a little tricky, but strongly suggest the Lotus Hotel on Huey Kaew, or the Orchid hotel next to it. Rates at the Lotus start at $36 USD, slightly higher at Orchid. Next to shopping mail, accross the street from gay neighborhood bar, and a short trip into the walled city.
LOTUS
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chia ... RQod1COsRw (http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/lotus_pang_suan_kaew_hotel.html?type=1&cid=1413892&url=http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/lotus_pang_suan_kaew_hotel.html&tag=2be60198-1260-4330-bd41-c0fc512601be&gclid=CL-IgPa1sa4CFeYERQod1COsRw)" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ORCHID
http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chia ... hwodsFjVSg (http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/chiang_mai_orchid_hotel.html?type=1&site_id=1410012&url=http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chiang_mai/chiang_mai_orchid_hotel.html&tag=f4670d82-4238-4c8d-9d96-98d05f0e196f&gclid=CMryq5C2sa4CFQ1chwodsFjVSg)" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[alanthebuilder]

Thanks that looks great for about 1000 a night cheers ...

[alanthebuilder]

http://www.chiangmaiorchid.com/home.html this is there own web link , a bit more than $35

Room Type

Single
Twin
Superior Room

USD 60
USD 70
Deluxe Room
USD 65
USD 75
Executive Room
USD 78
USD 88
Executive Suite (1 Bedroom)
USD 225
Executive Suite (2 Bedrooms)
USD 275
Ambassador Suite
USD 375
Presidential Suite (2 Bedrooms)
USD 625
Remark : US$ 1 = THB 40

Have a look at Club One Seven Chaing Mai. Situated on the river, with a cock-shaped pool and rooms from 1200/night.

http://www.cluboneseven.net/Chiangmai/index.htm

[alanthebuilder]

Looks like a nice place .

Not so much for the family ,

If it's near the river - does that mean there are more mosquitoes than normal?

I'm interested in the place but I get a pretty bad reaction from mosquito bites.

Any info?

:occasion9:

[BonTong]

With all the cute Tai Yai (Shan from Burma) in Chiang Mai, maybe with your experience they could help you do a self build hut in an afternoon? I've seen them in action, they're good! :idea1:

Personally I'd avoid all the nineteen sixties/seventies horrible concrete block hotels, however cheap. Lotus Pang Suan and Orchid included, as well as Duangtawan, M, Holiday Inn, Pornping, Lanna etc. The reason they are cheap is they didn't keep up with the curve on maintenance etc.... You can do better elsewhere. As per Da Boss example with Shagrila - the 5 star hotels are actually great value here (also Le Meridien, D2, Chedi and many more...), but sound like not in your budget this trip

A few suggestions that might meet your requirements:

The Pub Bungalows: The Pub Chiang Mai (http://thepubchiangmai.com/) 800 Bt, individual bungalows in the grounds of Chiang Mai's oldest Pub in an old Lanna style wooden building. Good breakfasts and gay friendly owner. Right side of town for both Gay bars and the trendy Nimmanheminda Road area with plenty of fun straight bars.

Lai Tai guest house: Lai Thai (http://www.laithai.com/) Cheap and has a pool. Popular with tourists, on the SE corner of the moat close to Mandalay Bar (where both you, your son and his friend can all have fun :bounce: just make sure they don't bring home a katoey by mistake :evil4: ) and near the main downtown area.

Galare Guest house: Galare Guest House (http://www.galare.com/)On the river bank near the night bazaar. Family run with a Thai Style feel, been around for years. touristy but inexpensive. No Pool AFAIK.

Raming Lodge Hotel Raming Lodge (http://www.raminglodge.com/)On Loi Kroh road, near Night Bazaar and girly bars. Reasonably modern and has a pool.

Oriental Garden http://www.orientalgardenchiangmai.com/ Guest house on Loi Kroh, Gay owned and gay friendly, though not specifically gay. Cheap but basic bungalow rooms in the garden. Also popular bar and restaurant but no pool. Close to just about every kind of entertainment and cheap so this might work well.

Hope that helps.

[BonTong]

If it's near the river - does that mean there are more mosquitoes than normal?
The river isn't such a mosquito problem, but this place has quite a lot of vegetation in the garden, where they like to hide.

But don't worry, the Sauna is too hot for them!

I can't see me spending 24hrs a day in the sauna - do you think I'm some kind of slut?

:bis:

.... there own web link , a bit more than $35

Ah, but click on the "Reservations" tab and you will get significantly lower prices than those on the page you viewed.

:occasion9:

[Khor tose]

http://www.chiangmaiorchid.com/home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; this is there own web link , a bit more than $35.

??????? My links are to Agoda and the lotus starts at $35.00. I rarely disagree with Radchada but the Lotus is nice and not run down and only one of his suggestions has a pool and that is not the nicest place, or location.

[Manforallseasons]

Centrally located and 1000 Bht my last visit....http://www.thesmallhotelgroup.com/ tell them you want the 1000 rate, better you contact the hotel directly....as you are in Thailand call information 1188 ask for their number in C.M. Easy walk to Nite Market and Thapae Gate. "The Small Hotel"

[BonTong]

I rarely disagree with Radchada but the Lotus is nice and not run down and only one of his suggestions has a pool and that is not the nicest place, or location.
Hi Khor tose. We'll have agree to disagree on this one :argue: Not sure which place I suggested that you refer to; two actually have pools. Both are centrally located near the Loi Kroh area. :dontknow:

I'm assuming from the OP's comments that his son + mate are from a younger generation that would enjoy much of the entertainment around the Thapae/Loi Kroh area, which is why I suggested places around there. Of course it's the usual Chaing Mai dilema of which area to stay in, which in turn depends very much on what you want to do here.

Lotus PSK Hotel ranks No 132 on Tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293917-d305847-Reviews-Lotus_Hotel_Pang_Suan_Kaew-Chiang_Mai.html). That means there are a whopping 131 better places to stay, including the Downtown Inn which comes in at No 130 :evil4: ! Nuff said. Lotus PSK is an enormous uninspiring hotel popular with big Thai tour groups and is tagged on to the back of an old and decrepit shopping center. It DOES have a large swimming pool, but apart from that and wandering around the shopping mall the immediate vicinity doesn't have much to do when compared with Thapae. Most people I've talked to who stayed there put it in the "never again" category, but I guess it boils down to personnel choice.

[alanthebuilder]

With all the cute Tai Yai (Shan from Burma) in Chiang Mai, maybe with your experience they could help you do a self build hut in an afternoon? I've seen them in action, they're good! :idea1:

Personally I'd avoid all the nineteen sixties/seventies horrible concrete block hotels, however cheap. Lotus Pang Suan and Orchid included, as well as Duangtawan, M, Holiday Inn, Pornping, Lanna etc. The reason they are cheap is they didn't keep up with the curve on maintenance etc.... You can do better elsewhere. As per Da Boss example with Shagrila - the 5 star hotels are actually great value here (also Le Meridien, D2, Chedi and many more...), but sound like not in your budget this trip

A few suggestions that might meet your requirements:

The Pub Bungalows: The Pub Chiang Mai (http://thepubchiangmai.com/) 800 Bt, individual bungalows in the grounds of Chiang Mai's oldest Pub in an old Lanna style wooden building. Good breakfasts and gay friendly owner. Right side of town for both Gay bars and the trendy Nimmanheminda Road area with plenty of fun straight bars.

Lai Tai guest house: Lai Thai (http://www.laithai.com/) Cheap and has a pool. Popular with tourists, on the SE corner of the moat close to Mandalay Bar (where both you, your son and his friend can all have fun :bounce: just make sure they don't bring home a katoey by mistake :evil4: ) and near the main downtown area.

Galare Guest house: Galare Guest House (http://www.galare.com/)On the river bank near the night bazaar. Family run with a Thai Style feel, been around for years. touristy but inexpensive. No Pool AFAIK.

Raming Lodge Hotel Raming Lodge (http://www.raminglodge.com/)On Loi Kroh road, near Night Bazaar and girly bars. Reasonably modern and has a pool.

Oriental Garden http://www.orientalgardenchiangmai.com/ Guest house on Loi Kroh, Gay owned and gay friendly, though not specifically gay. Cheap but basic bungalow rooms in the garden. Also popular bar and restaurant but no pool. Close to just about every kind of entertainment and cheap so this might work well.

Hope that helps.
Brilliant thanks that Raming Lodge looks great ,mega thanks again ...

[alanthebuilder]

A long time ago I used to go to the Riverside pub ,great place good food ,is this place still good and running does anyone know ?

[BonTong]

A long time ago I used to go to the Riverside pub ,great place good food ,is this place still good and running does anyone know ?
Ten years ago it was the trail blazer and THE place to go, with a fabulous atmosphere, but it has become a victim of it's own success. Now very touristy, they lost the lease for half the building so only have the small old original bit. They built a new place across the road, but not on the river, it's highly commercial and, for me, killed the original charm dead.

Good View is about the best of several imitators that remain along that river bank. Even then, nothing to get excited about. Several other great venues have been destroyed by commercial greed along the river too. A recurring theme: Thai business people seem inept when it comes to how to care for the goose laying the golden egg.

One you might like is the "White House". East side of the river a couple of Km south of Narawat bridge. Garden area by the river and live music.

[Beachlover]

.... there own web link , a bit more than $35

Ah, but click on the "Reservations" tab and you will get significantly lower prices than those on the page you viewed.

:occasion9:
When you see rates listed as a static table on a hotel's website, these are usually just their "rack rates", which are always higher than what you actually pay. You always need to use the reservations engine to find out the real rate. Or failing that, find the hotel's listing on Agoda or something.

I must say I like the look (and name!) of the Ramming (it in?) Lodge - may well book a few days there.
It's many years since I visited Chiang Mai (frankly it bored the tits off me) and it may be time for a re-assessment.

:occasion9:

[pong]

ChMai is awash with cheap lodgings.
But that age old word LOCATION-a more worse location as that old Tokyu-now orchid is hard to imagine. Do you fancy taking a rip-off tuktuk anytime to go out? ChMai simply has no decent public transpo-in the way you may be used to it.
Make up your mind what you MAINly intend to do daytime-also with that company in mind. Then find an area you would like to stay-and then find a place-you can still choose among 100s.
The above from our Shanloving BonTong re 60ies concrete is right-avoid them. (Has he ever heard of Shan-fatigue? just like Batak-fatigue-and the 2 tribes have much more in common as would seem from afar). Plus many of them have horrible tourist groups that spook around at the weirdest of times-flights etc. Adn you are invariably seen as the most ignorant easy to cheat Thainalfabet a westerner could possibly be.
Also I always avoid those ''gay'' places-always overpriced for mediocre service-but they try to compensate with smiling pretty boys why often have no clue of that working in a real hotel means. That club 1/7 is waaaaaay out of town.
My tip: try to tuck in a weekend and visit the walking street markets-from 16.00- sat is better: Wualai-more quiet as yet less known, south of chMai gate of old town-also many weird food items and a temple with monks eager to talk their precious angkrit-sun is walk over the crowds-Ratchdamnen in the old town.

[Rush, Yet Again]

Pong is correct, location matters and for a first-time visit to Chiang Mai youтАЩll want to be in old town. IтАЩve stayed at Raming Lodge, itтАЩs a good location midway between the Night Bazaar and Thapae Gate but the rooms are a bit dark and dated. Their prices fluctuate, if they are asking more than $50 when you plan on staying, itтАЩs overpriced for what you get. And I donтАЩt remember them having a pool.

In that range I think the old Montri, now Hotel M, is a better deal. Great location across from Thapae Gate, the Sunday Night Market starts at its corner, thereтАЩs often something going on at the plaza in front of the gate, many popular wats are all within walking distance, and even the Night Bazaar is not too far away. If you donтАЩt want to walk, the red buses (trucks) are cheap in Chiang Mai, youтАЩll never wait more than a minute to flag one down and theyтАЩll take you anywhere within town you want to go. The property was renovated a year or two ago. They tried to get $100 a night then, but last year I stayed there for under $40 a night. You can book a room with or without breakfast, the smart move is without. ItтАЩs a pretty dismal meal. There are several places across the street offering better food at a cheaper price. Um, no pool there either.

Down-scale, the Mandala House is a nice little property tucked back in the warren of streets behind Raming Lodge. Large, but basic air-conditioned rooms with breakfast are around $25. The staff is friendly without be obtrusive and the open-air patio is a great place to sip coffee in the morning while your brain cells catch up with the rest of your body.

[BonTong]

IтАЩve stayed at Raming Lodge,............ And I donтАЩt remember them having a pool.
It shows pictures of it on their website, not that necessarily means anything in Thailand :8( I suspect it's actually out back of the hotel in the parking lot area, rather than directly part of the hotel. Possibly a recent addition as I remember them doing construction for the parking lot sometime after the hotel opened.

[Rush, Yet Again]

You're right Bon Tong. You got me curious so I Googled it. It's behind the hotel, across the street and looks to be down just a bit. Not a bad looking pool. Maybe it is new 'cuz I still don't remember it. But if you are walking to the Thapae Gate area, that exit, at the rear of the hotel, is a great short cut.

[kittyboy]

I suspect that if you take a trip to chiang mai in the future your tits are in as great a danger of falling off on that trip as they were on your past trip.

I found CM quaint but slow.

....your tits are in as great a danger of falling off on that trip as they were on your past trip.

How dare you!

What kind of tits do you think I have?

Do you think that they are elasticated or something?

Once they've fallen off, they've fallen off dear.

:occasion9:

[kittyboy]

[My mistake I do apologize.

I had envisioned articulated tits joined to the breast plate with springs so that when the full weight of a slow hot languid Chang Mai night pushed down on the top of your Scotish man titties they would slink down on said springs and dangle pendulously in the hot night.

After a dreamy session of sex with your chosen partner a man bra would put them back right in place ready for another tit dropping round of boredom.

[alanthebuilder]

A long time ago I used to go to the Riverside pub ,great place good food ,is this place still good and running does anyone know ?
Ten years ago it was the trail blazer and THE place to go, with a fabulous atmosphere, but it has become a victim of it's own success. Now very touristy, they lost the lease for half the building so only have the small old original bit. They built a new place across the road, but not on the river, it's highly commercial and, for me, killed the original charm dead.

Good View is about the best of several imitators that remain along that river bank. Even then, nothing to get excited about. Several other great venues have been destroyed by commercial greed along the river too. A recurring theme: Thai business people seem inept when it comes to how to care for the goose laying the golden egg.

One you might like is the "White House". East side of the river a couple of Km south of Narawat bridge. Garden area by the river and live music.
Thanks ... :happy7:

[alanthebuilder]

So do we know any other good Restaurants in the City , Thai or Farang food ?

[BonTong]

So do we know any other good Restaurants in the City , Thai or Farang food ?
Umm! Chiang Mai has so many places too eat that's a "how long's a piece of string" type question you could write a book on. And so subjective no one ever agrees.

Deep breath.....

Plenty around the Thapae/Night Bazaar district yet most are average at best. In particular avoid the real tourist one's that made their name from Lonely Planet, such as Rattana's Kitchen and Aroon Rai along with the other obvious tourist traps and anything else within 250M of Thapae gate. Ginger & Cafe is good with both Thai and western food in a chic but pricey setting on the moat. For Pizza and Italian - Girasole in the center of the old city. For stomach busting portions of American food you can't beat the Duke's, but go to the main branch on the East River bank near the Loi Kroh road bridge, NOT the tourist version at the Night Bazaar. For Thai/Chinese style sea food many recommend Lena in Annusarn Market though it's pricey; my experiences have been hit and miss. For inexpensive Thai food, the Oriental Garden Restaurant on Loi Kroh is good value, you can also try Kamphangmuang gallery on Kamphangdin road (arty rustic place but the food quality lacks consistency). Both are gay owned but have a very mixed clientele. For along the river see previous post.

For a real Northern Thailand experience Huan Soontaree (http://www.saochiangmai.com/) is a few clicks north on the West bank of the river. It's owned by a famous folk singer who still sings there some nights. Or in town the "Antique House" is interesting too.

Across town Huay Kaew/Nimaanhemin area has a lot more choice, wander the Sois off Nimannheminda road and take your pick. Lemon tree (Huay Kaew) for good honest Thai food, or the nearby Pern's restaurant (Gay owned) for Mediterranean. Cafe di Nimman (Near Warm Up and Glass Onion on Nimmanhemin) is good for Thai. "The Pub" for Pub Fare and a great Sunday Roast.

Hope that helps! I'm sure others will tell you how bad the above are and suggest others :8(

P.S. Blatant plug - don't forget to visit our friends at Radchada Cafe (http://www.radchada-cafe.com/) :hello2: Though something of a trek from Night Bazaar area if you don't have transport.

[alanthebuilder]

With all the cute Tai Yai (Shan from Burma) in Chiang Mai, maybe with your experience they could help you do a self build hut in an afternoon? I've seen them in action, they're good! :idea1:

Personally I'd avoid all the nineteen sixties/seventies horrible concrete block hotels, however cheap. Lotus Pang Suan and Orchid included, as well as Duangtawan, M, Holiday Inn, Pornping, Lanna etc. The reason they are cheap is they didn't keep up with the curve on maintenance etc.... You can do better elsewhere. As per Da Boss example with Shagrila - the 5 star hotels are actually great value here (also Le Meridien, D2, Chedi and many more...), but sound like not in your budget this trip

A few suggestions that might meet your requirements:

The Pub Bungalows: The Pub Chiang Mai (http://thepubchiangmai.com/) 800 Bt, individual bungalows in the grounds of Chiang Mai's oldest Pub in an old Lanna style wooden building. Good breakfasts and gay friendly owner. Right side of town for both Gay bars and the trendy Nimmanheminda Road area with plenty of fun straight bars.

Lai Tai guest house: Lai Thai (http://www.laithai.com/) Cheap and has a pool. Popular with tourists, on the SE corner of the moat close to Mandalay Bar (where both you, your son and his friend can all have fun :bounce: just make sure they don't bring home a katoey by mistake :evil4: ) and near the main downtown area.

Galare Guest house: Galare Guest House (http://www.galare.com/)On the river bank near the night bazaar. Family run with a Thai Style feel, been around for years. touristy but inexpensive. No Pool AFAIK.

Raming Lodge Hotel Raming Lodge (http://www.raminglodge.com/)On Loi Kroh road, near Night Bazaar and girly bars. Reasonably modern and has a pool.

Oriental Garden http://www.orientalgardenchiangmai.com/ Guest house on Loi Kroh, Gay owned and gay friendly, though not specifically gay. Cheap but basic bungalow rooms in the garden. Also popular bar and restaurant but no pool. Close to just about every kind of entertainment and cheap so this might work well.
Thanks guys ,we go there in a about 6 weeks ive just been told ,I will take a few picks and put them on here - Thanks again guys ...


Hope that helps.
Thanks again guys I will put pictures of the hotel we chose after our trip 6 six from now Ive just been told - Thanks again ...