We will be heading to Chiang Mai for about 4 nights in late July 2006. I like more traditional thai style hotels/guest houses so am looking at the Tamarind Village and Baan Orapin as possibilities. Ideally we would like to spend under $100 per night.

We will be travelling with our two year old daughter Bella - so are concerned that somewhere is suitable for her, i.e. we can't be anywhere too quiet and perfect where we will disturb other guests or somewhere with a balcony that has big holes in it for example! We are also travelling with my parents and in laws - both of whom like the thai style but also want to minimise bugs (!! - in August) and want air con. If we don't have a pool, that is okay as previously when I have been there I found the larger hotels would let you use the pool for a fee.

The Tamarind Village we have been quoted a rate of 3050 B/night for a deluxe room, inclusive of breakfast and tax. This is from sawadee - is this rate any good? I am slightly concerned by reports of dark rooms etc and also by the fact that all the areas - lobby, dining area etc are open to the elements and i know it will be raining whilst we are there on occasion. Also, I read that security was not so good - that the only locks on the doors were simple latches and the hotel was fairly open to people coming in from the outside. Can anyone comment on this - my Dad will have computer equipment with him (can't possibly expect him to stop working on his holiday...)

I really like the sound of Baan Orapin - and the thought of my money going to a local thai family appeals greatly. I suppose my only concern is the location - mainly because I am not familiar with it. Is it near any other hotels that might be marked on a map? Can I walk to the night market/shops/restaurants. If not, is it easy enough to get a tuktuk or songthaew from there?

Finally, is there anywhere else people would recommend?

Best wishes
Lucy

I have not stayed at either but will be staying at Baan Orapin in January for 10 days. It's location is very convenient. It's walking distance of the night market or a very short tut tut or cab. It is on a street with high end shops (my favorite textile shop is a block away) and many restaurants. Most maps indicate The Gallery Restaurant (it's CM's most famous restaurant). Baan Orapin is very near it.

If you do a Baan Orapin search on this forum you should come up with lots of info.

Another advantage it has is you can get a large suite (living room, bedroom and refrigerator etc) for less money than a room at Tamarind. Also if you want you may even be able to rent one of their two bedroom houses. They are normally for stays of a week or more but since you are there in low season they would probably rent it to you for 4 nights if one of them isn't booked. So you could book two suites and maybe ask to be wait listed for the house. Or at least talk to them about the possibilities.

The rate you have been quoted for Tamarind seems way too high. I stayed there in peak season in Dec '03 and paid $45/night incl b'fast. I booked it thru Precision Reservations - www.precisionreservations.com. Suggest u pull up earlier threads re Tamarind. Bear in Mind August is not peak season for Chiang Mai. Having said that the rooms are basic and comfortable rather than luxurious. The pool is nice, b'fast good. Location is great - a few mins from everywhere you might want to be i.e. night market, restaurants, etc. I would not worry much about safety, seemed fine to me. re dark try and get a first floor room, they were better lit than the ground floor. For what we paid we thought it was VFM - for what you have been quoted I do not think so. Baan Orapin looks great but I have not stayed there.

Hi all

We will be staying at Baan Orapin in August for 5 days. We have booked a one bedroom suite and Anuchana [the owner] has given us a great price for the week.

He also can arrange transfers too and from the airport as well [saves the hassle of running the gaunlet of tauts at arrival!]

I will post after we come back to tell you all about it.

So far we have communicated back and forth via emails and they seem very proffesional. I rang to confirm my booking and his english was very good.

Tamarind Village is quite a good choice but there are plenty of others from cheap upwards.

Depends a lot on the quality/service levels you are looking for

The Royal Guest House is large, almost 100 rooms, Lanna Room with a/con is about USD 17.50, suite is about USD 25, that's for 2 including breakfast, pool, cafe etc

Maggy's Place is out of town, about 30 minutes, very natural surroundings, very jungle feel, the Teak House about USD 50, other houses around USD 35, plus cheaper cabins.

If you are into Spa type resort the Jirung Health Resort is all suites, about USD 90, about 30 minutes from town, class place.