jcasale

Has anyone ever stayed here? And if, so, how did you make the reservation? They don't have an on-line reservation system that I can find and I can't seem to get the faxed request to go through. Frommer's recommends it and has indicated that the well-known Nancy Chandler stays there when she is in Chiang Mai. It sounds like exactly the kind of place we are looking for. I may resort to calling them, but I worry about getting someone who speaks English. Any suggestions?

Hanuman

Try: http://www.riverviewlodgch.com/

If you're going to call don't worry as most established hotel/resorts in Thailand will have someone who understand English in their reservation department.

jcasale

That's the website where I found the fax form for reservation, but I can't seem to get it to go through. I will try calling this weekend. Thanks for the reassurance.

Hanuman

Ok I see the problem now. Here's a link to the Tourism Authority of Thailand contact listing for the River View Lodge:

http://www.tourismthailand.org/accom...50-3978-1.html

The fax number is: +6653279019

Good luck!

crellston

Stayed there a couple of years ago a numeber of the satff speak English so no problems there. However, I have to say I was dissapointed with the hotel itself. The rooms were nothing special and in dire need of refurbishment and the bar etc. seemed to close down around 8pm. IMO there are much better places to stay in CM. There is, howver, a great restaurantalong teh Road - Thanon Charoen Bpratet called Just Khao Soi - well worth a visit.

tnnc2

I stayed at the Galare Guest House which is next to the River View Lodge, and that was about 20 years ago. So the River View has been around for a while(if its the same one I'm thinking of).The location is close to the night market, but I think there are many newer places to stay.

jcasale

I'm open to other place that would be similar. I really want a small, local type place - not a big generic hotel. And I'd love to be on the river near the night market. I have always relied on Frommer's for suggestions and have never been disappointed. But I also rely on the expertise here. Any suggestions before I try calling the River View?

DonTopaz

I stayed at the River View some years ago on my 1st trip to Thailand. It's certainly true that the room was not luxe by any means, but it was clean clean and decent size. I did especially enjoy the outdoor poolside area where breakfast was served, and the proximity to the night market was very convenient indeed.

I found it to be a good value, and a decent place if you're looking for an alternative to the standard hotel room. That said, I'd probably go for a more upscale place on my next visit to Chiang Mai, in large part because the price difference between upscale and mid-scale is so slim.

jcasale

Glad to hear you had a good experience. We're going more upscale in Phuket and I did like the sound of the River View. I may try to give them a call this weekend.

BeniciaChris

We just stayed here 3 nights of our 5 day tour of Northern Thailand. Our tour guide Sgt. Kai made the reservations for us.The grounds are small but beautiful-right on the river. The room was large enough with a little refrigerator in the room.It was convenient to walk to a restaurant to eat or get a massage. I would highly reccomend it.I have no idea how much it cost per night because we had a 5 day package and accomodations were included-you won't be disapointed.-Chris

jcasale

Thanks Chris,
The rooms are very reasonable (about $50 USD for a riverview with balcony) and I was finally able to reach them. We had a very poor telephone connection, but the woman I talked with was very patient and has assured me that we are reserved even though I have not received the confirmation fax yet. I find it interesting that they don't have any e-mail contact, but that's OK. I will call her back again if I don't hear anything in a few days. Glad to hear you liked the facilities. I am looking forward to being there.

BeniciaChris

I am so glad you got through. I hope you enjoy yourstay there as much as we did. I so much enjoyed the Northern part of Thailand. I think on this site there are the Bangkok people and the CM people. I'm afraid I am the later.If you walk down the alley where the hotel is and turn left a few blocks down is a restaurant called The Antique House. Very nice-they had music.Also don't miss the elephant camp-show. My husband still talks about the elephants twirling their trunks like floozies. As we left one took my hat and I had our tour guide Stg. Kai take our picture with the elephant-this was my Christmas card this year-enjoy-Chris