I would appreciate any advice on whether or not it is better to stay at the Imperial Mae-Ping or Westin Chiang Mai with regard to location. The Westin sounds like a better standard of hotel but is there anything around the hotel to do (town centre, shops to browse?) or are you isolated ? I really woul not want to stay there if I had to catch a taxi or shuttle just to get away from the hotel.

Christine - <BR> <BR>Based on your comments, you'll want to stay at Imperial Mae Ping. <BR> <BR>Westin is not near the main shopping are such as the Night Market. <BR> <BR>We stayed at IMP last year and plan to again this November. It's a basic hotel. Better than Motel 6 and probably similar to a Holiday Inn. I do recommend NOT getting the breakfast buffet with your room. It's $6-7 per person and not worth it at all. However, we did find that any food we ordered at the coffee shop was quite good. The buffet is just very limited and not very fresh. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR

We stayed at the Mae-Ping and it is a decent hotel, good food, (especially the breakfast buffet) and is in an excellent location. Don't miss the Good Views restaurant.

We stayed at the Westin last July. If all you are going to do is visit the Night Market, I would not stay at the Westin. Otherwise, it is a very nice hotel--not 5 star, but definitely 4 star. The views from the upper floors are excellent. We did not feel "isolated" at all. If you plan to shop in the handicraft villages on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, visit Wat Doi Su Tep or check one of the elephant training camps, you will need transportation anyway. You can get a taxi for the day for about $15, if the trip includes shopping. Also, Tuk-tuks are plentiful at the Westin and in town. They will charge about $1 to take you from the Westin into town or to one of the fine riverside restaurants like "The Good View". The Westin's breakfast buffet included in the price of the room is excellent. We did not eat dinner at the Westin as there are better and less expensive options elsewhere, including a couple of riverside restaurants within walking distance.

The Mae Ping is a great deal and within walking distance of the night market which we liked. Our room was $45 U.S. and came with the breakfast buffet, which we thought was great. It offered American, Japanese and Thai style breakfasts. A lot of choices if you like variety. Have a great time.