Going to book this within the next day to stay there next week. Going with my wife and 2 year old.

Which hotel will you recommend? Criteria: Nice rooms... things for kid to do... overall feel...

Is the FS well kept? I know MO is newer...

Thoughts please...thanks!

I know search doesn't work well now, but there at least two in-depth threads on this subject. It would be best if you can find them. But the short story is some people prefer the FS and some prefer the MO. I loved the MO, but I'm sure you will be happy with either one.

I was just going to post the exact same question as we are thinking about visiting Chiang Mai with our four year old son for our next holidays and are wondering about which of the two hotels MO or FS to choose or wheter to split our stay between them. I have not been able to fine the previous threads about this issue, so if anyone finds a link, I would be very happy.

if you search for "chiang mai" youll get hits, unfortunately looks like by post only, so youll have to wade through. there is a lot of discussion.

couple things about MO >
-closer to town
-said to offer great upgrades to virtuoso/FHR guests
-cheaper private pools

re children >
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=611170
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8815997
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....9&postcount=16

Stayed at MO in August and visited FS.

The MO is more modern and much more private. Also more expansive. The FS looked very mid-90's. Is that when it was built? It seemed a noticeable step or two down in physical plant quality.

And while I liked the MO very much, it certainly is not a replacement for the southern resorts like the Amans or the FSKS, etc. It is more like the ideal home-base for exploring Chaing Mai and the rest of the region.

Of the two, I've only stayed at the MO ... we liked it a lot, although it's not perfect by any stretch.

Things we liked about the MO - a fairly quick taxi or tuk-tuk ride to and from town, very generous FHR upgrade and amenity (a 5 or 6 course lunch), very new property and our villa had loads of space and a plunge pool, food quality was excellent, my wife thought the spa was top-notch and rated her treatment at the property more highly than treatments at the Oriental BKK.

Cons - the plunge pool was really small - more like an unheated jacuzzi, so we rarely used it. Some of the furniture wasn't very well chosen - none of the outdoor seating that came with our villa was especially comfortable.

Finally, and this may be a pro or a con, depending on your POV, but we were surprised by how many families there were - many many kids, mostly well behaved but there were times when our tranquil enjoyment of the sunset was interrupted by kids from a neighboring villa noisily enjoying their own villas pool.

All in all, I'd recomment MO wholeheartedly for families looking for a luxury experience. For couples, it really comes down to value for money - we'd stay there again but that's in large part because the cost of a similar villa at the FS would be much, much more.

I have stayed at both..... and for families you might find the rooms at the FS a little too small. That being said, the service, food, amenities and overall feel of the resort was better at the FS, in my opinion. The MO villas, while large are not always great for families (distance from pools, bedrooms on separate levels, bugs!!!). I would suggest you consider a Grand Deluxe Colonial suite, which is close to the lobby and is a spacious 1 bedroom suite.

As mentioned MO is good to Virtuoso / FHR.

Never been to the FS but the MO remains the most stunning place we have ever stayed. Its far from perfect, but there is something about the craftsmanship that went into it that is amazing.

LOTS of water at the MO, which may be tricky for a 2-year old. For safety, you'd presumably want a villa that DOESN'T open out onto the rice paddies and doesn't have a private pool or jacuzzi.

Thanks for all your replies. Just wondering, are the FS rooms / property starting to get old looking? Or was it renovated after it became a FS? Think it was a Regent before?

The physical plant is beautiful and very natural... the rooms are not fantasically large and lack the latest tech toys. The new residence's are more up to date, but very pricey.

Unless you have essential business in Chiang Mai it is foolish to expose your 2 year old and your wife to the most polluted place in Thailand (according to the Thai daily press). March is the worst month for dust particles as Chiang Mai is not ventilated.

I am just recovering from a cold with following lung infection which lasted 6 weeks .

Why not try some seaside place if it has to be Thailand or the genuinly friendly people of Luang Prabang in Laos. (This place is how Chiag Mai might have been 20 years ago)

Huh? Chiang Mai isn't polluted, especially out at the MO. It's nothing like Bangkok. And when you tour the area such as the elephant camps, you are in a VERY unpolluted place. What do you mean by ventilated?

More to the point, what axe do you have to grind and why are you doing it here?

We certainly didn't notice any pollution of any sort when we were there.

The pollution started around the beginning of March. Residents of Chiang Mai have been advised to avoid outdoor activities as the city's air pollution has reached a dangerous level.

The air pollution crisis is predicted to continue for at least three months.

ah, so Feb/Mar/Apr is hazardous every year >
http://www.earthoria.com/air-polluti...ai-rising.html

the high was march 7 with PM-10 of 141
http://www.pcd.go.th/AirQuality/Regi...?task=findsite

article from last year >
http://www.thaibirding.com/news/news...tionupdate.htm

sounds like MO location wouldnt avoid it. not sure about FS either.

thanks for the posts behuman and Aircoco. ^