I have already posted my tentative itenerary:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

I am now having second thoughts about the Four Seasons at Chiang Mai. The review I have read in general are not very positive.
The Chedi at Chiang Mai (Opening July 1st) has some fantastic promotional rates. Anybody with any info on the Chedi Chian Mai. What about Chedi Hotels in General. Are they in the same level as Four Seasons.
Any info the the Chedi Chiang Mai would be appreciated.

The original concept of the Chedi's was to offer the same level of sophistication as the Amans, but one tier lower in price.

I've stayed at Chedi's for years and am a great fan of the management and aesthetics -- they are generally well run and beautifully designed with great attention paid to small details. Personally and in general I prefer them to the Four Seasons because they are more understated. I've never been to the FS in Chiang Mai though so I wouldn't be able to compare directly.

Hi

Try the Mandarin Oriental Chiang Mai. Open for a copule of months only and introductory rates are still on. Tripadvisor has some reviews as well. Conde NAst Traveler did an article on them last month. Looked great in the pictures.

The article was in the Travel & Leisure and not Conde Nast Traveler

remember that hotels schedule an opening in asia but rarely make that date so if your travel is anywheres near to that date, beware

what negetives have you seen for the 4 seasons...it is a beautiful place...the only problem that i can see is its location so far from anything and to some that is an advantage..

I'm one of those who is not a fan of the Four Seasons. I found it wildly overpriced for what you get and the service was mediocre compared to other places. The hotel was almost twice the price of the Oriental in Bangkok for 50% less service and mediocre food. Yes the rooms and setting are gorgeous but the fact that it is a good 45 minutes away from the city makes it a place for honeymooners who never want to leave the room as far as I'm concerned. I would never stay there again. I've seen information on the Chedi and it sounds wonderful and its location is 1000 percent better if I recall -- same is true for the new Mandarin.

One thing to remember -- hotels usually have "teething problems" when they first open and often aren't even completely finished.

Thanks everyone. Will check out the Mandarin Oriental. Just got an email from The Chedi saying that they will be 90% complet in July. Not very encouraging.
Hey Aviator just saw your reviews on Amanwella. A job well done. Also saw all your photgraphs on Yahoo. Pity we didn't get a chance to interact. Next time...

So here are the rates worked out for 4 nights:
Four Seasons: US$ 285/night
Mandarin: US$295
The Chedi:US$180

My question to you all - Is the Chedi in the same league as FS and MO. GHM hotels which owns the Chedi brand has Mr. Adrian Zecha (Aman Resorts) as it's Director and Chairman!

Chedi is a league below MO and FS