I've booked the Anantara for a trip beginning very soon which I'm greatly looking forward to...however I recently ran across a smaller boutique hotel Phu Chaisai and it looks incredible.

Lots of bamboo huts built into the hillside, a fab view and nice spa with a very local feel in terms of style. Has anyone on the board stayed there? If so what was it like?

Thanks!

i am not aware of any hotel in that area that can compare to the anantara....it is, remember, one hour north of chiang rai...

I have not stayed here but based on the web site I want to. It looks absolutely fabulous and more my kind of place than even Anantara. I'd love to hear comments on those that have stayed there.

Doesn't it look extraordinary?

The reviews on i-escape (a british website)and the picture on their own website make it look fabulous.

Bob this place is also north of Chiang Rai, about 40 minutes. It doesn't have to larger scale or facilities of Anantara but it does look charming in that small hotel way.

I hope someone has some feedback...

I haven't stayed there but the Phu Chaisai is very well known and has been around a while. The Jirung Resort very near Chiang Mai is another place (quite different ) which again is highly popular and I know people who go there often but again never mentioned ( except by me a few times ! ).
I have no criticism at all of many of the fine places that are mentioned but I have so often said there are just 'so many' accommodations available that most would never hear about and they only seem to become 'popular' once there is some press release, good example is Baan Orapin, also Tamarind Village here we have all talked about a lot, that's why we have this forum!!
If you want a perfection place I would stick with the likes of Anantara but I always say there are just 'so so many' places in all countries that are unknown. I would also mention that there are a lot of places that actually do not promote much as they rely upon local business. I guarentee that everry one of you could tell us about amazing places in your own hometowns that we would never know about or dream about visiting and are absolute 'gems'.

Here are some more photos which give you a real idea of the place.

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

And here is the Jirung ( about 30 mins from Chiang Mai ) all suites, I have mentioned this one a lot

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

Rates for Phu Chaisai I just looked go from about $55 inc tax/service/brteakfast, exec $89, Pool Villa $178.

it looks pretty rustic to me....the beds look a bit droopy in the middle???

not in same category with anantara...

looks campy and fun however