We are considering adding a few days in Chiang Mai to our trip in Dec/Jan- does anyone have a hotel they recommend that is nice and also reasonable?

Secondly- has anyone gone on Sgt. Kai's 3 day Chiang Mai tour? It looks interesting-and is limited to a maximum of 6 people!

Baan Orapin gets good reviews and has good prices.

We stayed at Yaang Come Village and liked it a lot...but paid half of what they are charging now...I don't think it's good enough to be $200.00/night deluxe room...that's close to Peninsula BKK prices, but YCV doesn't have the facilities or the polished service that the Pen does.

Thanks, Kim. When you went-did you tour around on your own, or with a guide? How tough is it to get around up there on your own?

And-what are the "must-see" things?

I would highly recommend Baan Orapin. Stayed there for 10 days a year and a half ago and will be returning for 5 days next year. I loved everything about it.

You can easily do Chiang Mai either with a guide and driver or just with a driver. If you need recommendations for either let me know. I personally would not take a packaged tour.

Thanks Gloria- I would LOVE any recommendations you could give! Baan Orapin looks nice, and it's pretty reasonable!

My wife stayed at the Royal Princess a year ago for $60/night. It was very clean, comfortable and right across the street from the Night Bazaar.

You might consider a few days outside the city. A great place is the Baan Rai Lanna about a hour drive north. Very good reviews. http://www.baanrailanna.com/
There are many good places to stay in the city and not have to pay over $75. Here are a few Chiang Mai Plaza, Chiangmai Phucome Hotel, Imperial Mae Ping, Maninarakorn, Rydges Amora Tapae and Royal Princess.

Check out the Lai Thai Guesthouse.
http://www.laithai.com/index.html
we spent a wonderful week there. this is no typical western chain hotel, but a small, quaint, atmospheric, modern, guesthouse with beautiful decor and furnishings. just delightful.

I would not stay at the large commercial hotels -- Chiang Mai Plaza, Royal Princess etc. I've stayed at many of them over the years when there were no options and found them all adequate at best. Baan Orapin is the same or less money but you get so much more.

Poon is a wonderful driver (not a guide)whom I have used several times. You can reach her through her sister, Rat at [email protected].

If you want a guide someone who comes very highly recommended is Chaiya (do a search for his email). I would only use guide if you either 1) don't want to do any reading on your own and want someone to take you to the typical tourist places; or 2) want to visit off the beaten path hilltribes. Otherwise I think a driver is fine.