Can anyone recommend a hotel in Chiang Mai? Would rather stay in town as opposed to in a resort, as will have just come from a week in the Maldives.

Thanks

ST

I haven't been there for some time, but right on the river is the River View Lodge. Close to the Night Market.

25 Chareonprathet Rd., Soi 2
Chiangmai 50100
Tel. +66 (53) 271109 FAX.279019
http://www.riverviewlodgch.com/index.htm

There's a pleasant restaurant nearby, a couple of blocks South, called Antique House. It's popular with tourists, but at least it serves Thai food.
http://www.chiangmai.net/chiang_mai_restaurants/restaurant_detail.asp?rid=17

Rich

Thanks for that - does anyone have thoughts on either the Empress or the Amari?

Regards

ST

I haven't stayed at either the Empress or Amari, but, based on the locations as shown at www.asiatravel.com, (http://www.asiatravel.com,) I'm not sure that the locations, especially for the Amari, are that great for tourist type activities.

The Empress appears relatively close to the River and Night Market, which are advantages for me.
Rich

We stayed at the Westin for $40. Tuk Tuks into city center were very cheap.

I stayed at the Imperial Mae Ping & enjoyed it...nice room,pretty pool & close to the night market.Priced from just $29 on hotelsholidays.com

Stayed at the Novotel, unless you have a car and want free parking, I would not recommend it.

Fairly distant from night market.
Older and somewhat dingy.
Full of "bus people"

Royal Princess quite convenient.
In center of downtown and adjacent to night market, Starbucks and Burger King for those who care about such things.
Also caters to "bus people"
Has Avis agency in lobby-saves having to go back to airport for auto rental if you are heading for Chiang Rai or the hill country or shopping outside of town.
Seems to be popular since it is difficult to get a room.
Very helpful staff who go out of the way to be helpful, such as calling Dusit Island Resort for me and making special rate booking at the last minute.

Swiss Tony-

The Amari is very nice, and only $45/night this summer (I just booked there). $25 is a real good deal for the Imperial Mae Ping (as in earlier post). Another good deal is the Royal Lanna (near night market). Re a prior recommendation, the Antique House restraunt is a great experience! Good Luck.

Has anyone stayed at the Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel? I'd be interested to hear your comments as I have a reservation there next weekend.

Thanks.

------------------
Latitudes.

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)

[This message has been edited by Latitudes (edited 04-21-2003).]

SweetWillie,

Except for SPG credit and a possible Platinum upgrade, why would I want to stay at the Westin if it's outside the city?

Just how far out is it? Anything to do there?

Or am I just better off staying in the city?

I've been doing some rate research and all I can say is wow! Doesn't get any cheaper. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/thumbsup.gif

Dan