Johnmango

I have looked up a few websites, including huahin.20m.com and chiang-mai-hotel.itgo.com, trying to find a hotel in the $50-90 price range (approximate), that has traditional Thai style buidlings, rather than the high-rise type architecture.

I found Paradise hotel and Jirung, but both seem to be not right in Chiangmai. Does anyone who's familiar with Chiangmai hotel recommend some? will be there next Feb/March. Thanks.

Tania

John,
I've not been to Chiang Mai yet, but am planning my trip now for next summer. I've got the exact same criteria as you, and have narrowed it down to two places, both of which are based on very favourable reviews on this and other boards.

One is River View Lodge
http://www.riverviewlodgch.com

and the other is Tamarind Village
http://www.tamarindvillage.com

Hope this helps,
tania

Tania

ps-the rates for Tamarind Village are a lot cheaper if you book through a place like Sawadee:
http://www.sawadee.com/chiangmai/tamarindvillage/

pss-Both River View and Tamarind are near the river and both are in easy walking distance to the Night Market.

jodo

ok, call me a spoiler, but we stayed at the River View Lodge 5 years ago (courtesy of some awesome reviews on Fodors and Frommers sites) The grounds were beautiful...but we left after one night, having been bit by bed bugs (no kidding) all night long. We were so disappointed, given the wonderful reviews. Perhaps we just caught it wrong, but the front desk staff was arrogant (too many good reviews)and we had welts for days. Ended up moving to a local "high rise" hotel for $35.00 a night ---perfectly adequate. Lacked charm, but also lacked bed bugs )
Good lUck

Lyndie

Riverview Lodge was disappointing in July 03. The owners and staff were inattentive, the rooms small and noisy, the place is expensive at 1800 baht. We liked Lanna Thai for 790 baht-request a quiet room overlooking garden on top floor. It is not flash but very clean, air cond & quiet. Good luck.

Tangata

I can?t recommend it from personal experience, as I live in Chiangmai, but I have heard excellent comments on the Tamarind Village.

dywong

We were at Tamarind Village this summer and throughly enjoyed staying there. The grounds were very Thai except for the polished cement floor in the rooms. Their breakfasts in the morning by the pool were very nice and evening dinner was exceptional. Although we did not find it within walking distance to the night market, tuk tuks and taxis were abundant and inexpensive, and the local temple whose chedi you can see from the courtyard made our visit during Buddist Lent memorable. We will be sure to return next year. If you can afford it, definitely go for a deluxe room with a balcony.

watakeet

I tried to book Tamarind Village for early April but it is full. Any other suggestion (thai-style hotel and convenient)?

glorialf

You could try Baan Orapin which is actually a B and B. No one on this board has actually stayed there but several of us have heard good things and are planning on trying it. The website is www.baanorapin.com.

The website www.hoteldecharm.net has a place called Triyannaros which looks lovely but which I don't think is very central.

JamesA

Firstly What dates are you looking at in April, if you are trying for anytime between 12th and 17th it is Thai new year and Chiang Mai in particular gets packed so if you can quickly advise dates

JamesA

Sorry I did not read that you had said 'early April', ok some of these are not close to town center but as it is highly built up if you want that kind of place you often have to go a little way out. Try Baan Sabai Spa Village or Kanthip Ville, the Rachamnka is good but might be over your budget range. You can find all those on chiang-mai-hotels.itgo.com, you don't have to put in any credit card info to request , only when you want to confirm, and you can opt for them to offer available alternative. Although not as busy as Songkran itself Chiang Mai is quite busy these days so if you can't find exactly what you are after remember there are plenty of hotels of good value even if not like the more Thai style ones.

beachit

I stayed at Baan Orapin and really enjoyed it. It's lanna style architecture and family owned and operated. They are very helpful and friendly. The hotel is like a B and B and is walking distance to many of the tourist attractions of Chiang Mai, yet not smack in the middle of the action, which appealed to me. It's less costly than what you propose but more money does not always get you a nicer experience. I highly recommend Baan Orapin, rent the apartment since you have the extra cash, it's really a two story house, lovely!!

watakeet

Thanks for all the speedy replies and I've checked them out except Kanthip Ville. Any chance of misspelling?

JamesA

Yes, sorry my typos are famous.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ch...thip/pictures/

and this is where Beachit stayed:

http://www.baanorapin.com/

nks267

I would reccomend the Rachamankha which is the sister property of Tamarind Village...Its an awesome hotel with exquisite interiors.

Janak626

My daughter (who knows CM quite well) and I will be @ Baang Orapin B&B on 7 April for two nights. (based on feedback here....thanks again, Gloria)...if you'll be there, too, let me know. thanks. Jan

watakeet

Janak626, my travel will be April 2-5, so I won't be able to meet you there. I will check the hotels out and consider in totality when my agent comes back with the prices of the ticket+hotel package and tickets only. Many thanks for all the comments here.

glorialf

Jan--
I'm looking forward to hearing about Baan Orapin. Hope it lives up to the reports. Could you check on something for me? Could you see if they have a safe somewhere in the hotel? We will be going to Burma from Chiang Mai so will be carrying a lot of cash which I'd love to be able to put someplace safe.

Make sure you go to Sop Moie which is very near Baan Orapin. They have absolutely exquisite baskets and textiles. Not cheap by Chiang Mai standards but very cheap by American standards and absolutely exquisite.

trvlmnky

We just returned from 3 weeks in chiang mai and we stayed at Tamarind Village and Baan Orapin. Both were fabulous! Extremely helpful and courteous. Tamarind is a little busier with more rooms and tourists about. Baan Orapin is small and close to the river. Both were quiet and restful with traditonal stylings. GLORIALF- Baan Orapin had a safe in the 1 Room suite, we would assume all rooms have them. If not Opas, the owner, would likley accomodate you. Thank you all who helped our trip we had a lovely time and will return!!!

glorialf

Trvlmnky-- Thanks so much for the info. We've booked their two one bedroom suites so we should be fine. Could you give us more details about Baan Orapin and the rooms.

Also, I'd love to hear about the off the beaten track things you must have done while in Chiang Mai as well as restaurants etc. I'll be there for almost two weeks next January. I've been there 7 times before but only for a few days each time. This trip will obviously be very different so I'd love to hear what you did. We definitely will be taking a cooking class.

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip.