Info for Chiang Mai Visit
 

Thanks to all of you who have traveled outside of BKK -- we haven't! We would like to spend several days -- we are not "sports" persons -- in CM. Not knowing the area, we are looking for advice on the various areas of CM and convenient places to stay -- 4/5*. We would like to be able to walk to the sights as much as possible.

After CM we will probably fly or take the train to BKK and on to Phuket for several days, then Hua Hin, and back in BKK for several days. Phuket and Hua Hin will be new for us, but we have been to BKK multiple times.

Please share your thoughts on these places, as well as Hong Kong. We would like to stop off in HK for a couple of days on our way to BKK. Also, how long is "just right" for each of these places. Time, for us, is not a factor.

Thanks once again.

Sandra (Mcbeanie)

Also, we are talking about late Nov - Dec. 2008.

In Chiang Mai ... I'd recommend either the Mandarin Oriental or the Chedi. (Book the Mandarin Oriental through Virtuoso for the amenities). The Four Seasons is 45 minutes outside of town.

Phuket: Trisara is a new resort with a lot of positive feedback, but there's also Amansara.

BKK: I like the Peninsula on the river or Sukhothai in town.

Hong Kong: For the best view of Hong Kong over the harbour, the InterContinental can't be beat. The Langham (Kowloon) and Langham Palace (HK) are good values.

In Chiang Mai, the Mandarin is not in the middle of the city. The chedi is. But I would recommend that you stay in a place like Baan Orapin which I loved.

What do you want to spend in Bangkok?

The Baan is more reasponably priced but the Chedi is a bit nicer as is the Mandarin. The FS while lovely is over-priced unlesss you plan to spend 1/2 days enjoying the hotel grounds.
Go to Lampang Elephant Conservancy (40 minutes from in-town hotels), Do Suthoi temple (25-30 minutes) out-of-town and if your interested Hong Dong the furniture capital of Northern Thailand as well as antique capital but this is 1 hr. out of the city. A good guide/driver is Poon. She is Ratt's sister who is based in Bankok and that is how to get to her. She is now probably 3000-32000BAHT for a 10 hour day.

The Mandarin is an interesting place to visit, but it's way too over the top for me. I'd go for a place near the night bazaar or in the old city. If Baan Orapin seems a little too rustic, check out Yaang Come Village, Tamaring Village or the Ratchamangka.

From any of these, you'll be able to wander around the city at your leisure, checking out the old temples, the market, and the cultural center in the old provincial hall.

Michael BKK:

Thanks for the suggestions in CM. We have checked out the Baan Orapin and if it is as good as it looks, will enjoy a "Taste of Thai."

Timming:

Just so you know. We are EXPERIENCED travelers and plan our own itineraries. We are quite familiar with BKK, and have a guide and a hotel there, which BTW are already booked!!!!!

The original post was to those Fodorites who have special favorites in CM and in Phuket. While we value their input, we are not interested in detailed itineraries.

Spamming is out of place on a friendly travelers board.

mcbeanie