Chiang Mai!

[Irish1972]

I will be in Chiang Mai in September and then down to Pattaya for a few weeks! Having never been to Chiang Mai before I was wondering what people recommend?

Also has anyone ever stayed at www.santitham.com (http://www.santitham.com) in Chiang Mai and if so what was their impression of it?


Many thanks

For an interesting gay venue, House of Male is worth a visit. For a day out, try Doi Inthanon (and hope for a clear day so that you can enjoy the view from its peak). For a restaurant, try The Whole Earth (near the Night Market).

...Also has anyone ever stayed at www.santitham.com (http://www.santitham.com) in Chiang Mai and if so what was their impression of it?
Many thanks

After looking at their pictures and price, I doubt they have AC or private bath in the room. :bounce:

I have made a reservation on Seven Suns Guesthouse in October, has anyone stayed there, and is it recommended?
www.sevensuns.net (http://www.sevensuns.net)

From www.dreadedned.com (http://www.dreadedned.com)
Seven Suns Guesthouse
155 Rajamankha Rd
Phone: 0) 5381 - 4325
Website: http://www.sevensuns.net/
Email: bookings@sevensuns.net
┬╗ member discounts
Where Lemongrass used to be, now new Aussie owner, has been extensively refurbished and decorated. There are 12 stylish rooms, all with air-con, new wardrobes, new beds (either large or twin), mini bar, satellite television, and IDD telephones. Rooms start at 700 baht per room per night. Has restaurant and bar downstairs. They offer Thai and international cuisine and special Aussie BBQ everyday. Can arrange pick-up from airport or train station for 100 Baht, also arranges its own tours.

[Nabaat]

Stayed there last weekend for three days.

Noland and Beam could not have been more helpful - local knowledge, transport to/from bus/rail/airport provided free.

The actual house has air in each room, albeit there is a shared bathroom. However this was no problem to the occupants (total 6) last weekend as the place is more a real home than a Guesthouse.

There is also a bungalow available, I think it sleeps five.

The gardens are beautiful as well as the the interior of the house.

Will certainly go back there later this month.

[Nabaat]

Oops, forgot to type this part before submiting.

Stayed at SS last April. Everything posted about the place is pretty accurate - however, my own experience of returning home around 02.00 and finding the reception unmanned, and a non-resident wandering the corridors should be noted.

I do not know if they now have the door locked/manned after dark. But the old system of having the keys under the counter needs changing.

oh I was not aware there is no bathroom in the room. it is not told on their homepage, is there a washbasin in the room? also I live to take a shower together with my friend. hmm. maybe I should change to another place to stay, even if i think I like the guesthouse.

Edited: After reading you post, I became a little confuced, was it in Santitham or SS there were no bathroom in the room?

[Bob]

Some of us might be able to suggest a place to stay depending on what you want (i.e., give us an idea). Do you want to be in a location where you can walk to the night market or would you like to be near a shopping area or would you like to be in the middle of nowhere?

I don't know either place mentioned but both are situated where you're not about to walk anywhere (if that's what you like to do).

Some of us might be able to suggest a place to stay depending on what you want (i.e., give us an idea). Do you want to be in a location where you can walk to the night market or would you like to be near a shopping area or would you like to be in the middle of nowhere?

I don't know either place mentioned but both are situated where you're not about to walk anywhere (if that's what you like to do).

Dear Bob
i want to stay inside the inner "river" in the old town. As i can see it from the maps, it is not so far from the night market, 10-15 minutes walk is okay for me, but maybe I am wrong?

You ought to visit the Lemon Tree restaurant on Huay Kaew over the road from Central. Always full of locals - the best recommendation :flower:

[Bob]

Hansi.....to be honest, I wouldn't recommend staying there if your desire is to be able to walk easily to the night market. Years ago, I stayed at the Felix (just about across the street from Seven Suns) and it was a pretty good walk to the moat (maybe 3/4 mile) and then about 7/8th's of a mile to the night market street, Chang Klan. If it's hot out, you're going to be a bit of a wet mess by the time you walk to the night market streets or night market bars (which are along a soi immediately west of Chang Klan).

Everybody has a different preference but I like to walk around and I prefer to be near the River Ping. I usually stay at the Porn Ping but have also stayed at the Riverview, Galare Guesthouse, and Diamond Riverside. Easy walk to Chang Klan and the night market and night market bars, easy walk to Narawat Bridge, easy walk to the flower/vegetable market, easy walk to Anusarn Plaza (a ton of eating places), etc.

Another good location (although about a mile to the night market area) is near the Taipae Gate as there are some festivities by the gate there, the Sunday walking street is there, there's a smaller fruit market a couple of blocks away, etc.

Or, if one likes to shop, maybe stay near Kad Suan Kaew (a/k/a Central or Centran) just a block west of the northwest corner of the old city. Soho (quiet bar) is just across the street there. But it's a long way from anything else. I'm actually considering staying near there this October but that depends if PJ's has a room available and my CM friend "approves." hehe

Others have liked the Lotus (the gay Lotus) next to Adam's Apple but, other than going to Adam's Apple, that place is way too far away to easily walk to anything of interest. I stayed there once many years ago but didn't like the location.

[Irish1972]

Thanks for the info,

As regards the place we are staying one of my travelling friends booked it for us, it is only for 3 nights so I will report back and let you know how it is!!

Many thanks

[Bob]

Wherever you stay, enjoy Chiangmai. At the moment (stuck at home), a sleeping bag beneath the Narawat Bridge doesn't sound all that bad....