Where did you stay either in Chaing Rai or the Golden Triangle area? What did you like and/or dislike about it? Convenient to attractions? Quiet? Too quiet? Good value? Food? Easy to arrange tours/day treks to hilltribes/elephant rides/river rides on bamboo raft/etc. Thanks in advance.

I loved the Anantara at the Golden Triangle. It's gorgeous, have wonderful rooms, a great spa, fabulous cooking class, elephant camp on the grounds, etc, etc. If you do a search here, you'll find many reviews of this great resort since it opened in Oct, 2003. The first review is mine from Nov. 2003

What are you looking for? A resort? If so Anantara is probably the best in the area. What kind of things are you most interested in doing and seeing?

We are interested in day-treks to the hill tribes, elephant rides, river trips, casual dining with traditional Lanna or Thai food, and, since this will be towards the end of the vacation, some relaxing and perhaps Thai massage. We looking in the $40 - $70 price range. More Thai-style than Western-style, but with in-suite bathroom. Thanks.

Then Anantara is not for you. If you want something more thai style you might check out the Fern Resort in Mae Hong Son. It's in a different part of northern thailand but it sounds like it would meet your needs. They have a website. If you want the Chiang Rai area you might consider the Dusit Island Resort. It's in your price range and is well located for tours and treks and is just a few minutes outside of Chiang Rai. It is, however, VERY western although attractive and a good value.

In 2000 before the Anantara existed, we did 2 days at the Dusit Island Resort Hotel. We had a good 1/2 trip up the river for an elephant ride in the rice fields and visit with hill tribes and another full day driving trip to the golden triangle, including the old Opium Museum, a short visit to Myanmar, hilltribe villages, plus another river trip where we set down on Laos for about an hour. This was more of a tourist route and not what you would see if you went on an overnight hilltribe trek but we did get a good feel for the area, I think.

I stayed at the Dusit in CR and basically did what Craig did. It was one of the best days we had on that trip. We had a private guide and didn't feel rushed. A speedboat ride on the Mekong was a highlight. I have no interest in doing a 3 day trek, but if you do, you can easily arrange it from the hotels or in town. You mentioned a day trek, that would be no problem from the Dusit either.

If you don't want or need the top places the Golden Triangle Resort is a bargain for USD 50 for a twin, right on the river, amazing views, they do the border pass for you for about USD 6.50.

If you need to overnight Chiang Rai Town Wiang Inn is 3 star about USD 38, if you really want to budget the SB is about 10 mins from town about USD 15 but new and ac, very 'motel' type but clean and cheap.

I do agree with glorialf that Mae Hong Son has more of the out and beyond feel and Fern resort is a good choice for getting away from it all, you can do both, though this area is much much quiet than Chiang Rai.


Golden Trinage Resort : This has got photos and map on the one page, for 50 bucks it's good!:

http://www.r24.org/chiang-mai-hotels...dise/pictures/

Others on:
http://www.chiang-mai-hotels.itgo.co...ai_hotels.html