TheNimmanhaemin Road area of Chiang Mai is considered as the artist section of town. Artist, not as in those street arts you see vendors selling on the sidewalks, but with chic studios and delightful gift shops from Nimmanhaemin Soi 1 to Soi 15 or 17. I enjoy the area very much and since Chiang Mai is pretty spread out you will need a taxi ride to get to most attractions anyway.

Here are my suggestions for Chiang Mai:

In town - I suggest a resort type of hotels in the old city where you can walk to temples etc. Some of the resorts in this area: Tamarind Village, Rachamankha etc.

Outskirt of the old town - lots of choices ranging from city hotels to resorts. The one I likes are Ratilanna, D2, Chedi, 137 Pillars, Yaang Come Village etc.

Super resorts on the edges of town and outside of town - these are some of the best resorts in the world - The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi and The Four Seasons Mae Rim.

Service apartments in the area you've mentioned - I have heard good things about the Kantary Hills but I have not stay or visit the place.

Hope this helps.

Hanuman--thanks for your quick reply! Here is what we have offered: http://www.chiangmaiapartmentrental.com/p496.html AS WELL as http://www.chiangmaiapartmentrental.com/p752.html on end of soi 11 from Neimenheiman. Or, a guest house in the Old City?!?

I stayed at the Green Palace Hotel in that aforenamed area. Lovely place that suited my ordinary tastes quite well. if you require many servants and high prices perhaps elsewhere may suit you.

We stayed at The River View Lodge-not fancy but clean & beautiful grounds

Thanks for everyone's help. We decided to stay at Baan Orapin.