Anantara /Chiang Rai
 

Trying to find the best rate for end of October/early November 2004. Any web sites or suggestions? Also while in the area would like to visit rural community, go on the Mekong River, and probably do short elephant afternoon trek. Will probably spend three days at Anantara. Is it best to book through hotel or would it be much cheaper to stay at hotel and simply hire a driver? Last question: Plan on taking bus/boat from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Hotel appears to charge $50 each way for transportation to/from Chiang Rai to hotel. Is it cheaper to just hire a cab to/from Chiang Rai to hotel or take Anantara transportation?

i rented a car at the chiang rai airport and that gave me total freedom during my anantara stay...it is very remote by the way...easy driving and takes about 1 hour....i think a cab would be cheaper...everything at the hotel is expensive as you would expect...they are very nice...

i made my res with asia-hotels i think but could not get breakfast included ...so i contacted the hotel directly and they did a special for me of $122 incl breakfast....they also gave us an upgrade upon arrival...it was not busy when we were there...the italian restaurant is very good by the way...visit the opium museum across the street....

they have 4 elephants on the property..

make sure that you do a cooking clas if that interests you--$50 each, but very worthwhile...and fun...

the hua hin hotel site does not have access to anantara when i tried last winter, but they may now ask them...

make sure you go to the princes mother's former estate---doi tung...plan on 1/2 day there...maybe an hours drive from hotel..

the hotel will arrange anything you want to do for a fee--steep fee...

a local restaurant which was good and cheap is thai kitchen on the river between the hotel and chiang saen...

try to arrange your own transporation to/from the airport in chiang rai. It's VERY expensive through the hotel- around $90 one way.

let me correct mad a bit...the hotel charges $50++ each way for transportation if you use their vehicle, but sometimes they sub contract at a lesser price of about $40....

i highly suggest that you rent a car as you will be disappointed to be without transportation in this isolated area...the hotel can of course provide transportation but this is quite expensive...

my car rental was 4200B all inclusive except gas for 3 days...it was a very nice toyota...

If you go in late October as opposed to early November you will get a better rate. Their rates change Nov. 1 to "high season" which is significantly more.

A site I recently booked hotels on is www.directrooms.com. Since I'm a frugal traveller I check many sites and found them very competitive. They have good rates for Anantara.

I may have mislead you, I believe they only offer rates for Anantara Hua Hin, not Golden Triangle. They have good rates elsewhere as well.