Tawan Guest House

rundown place,aggressive lady - 6th March, 2008
booking a room by telephone was a big hurdle. I had a Thai friend do it for me (oh, these foreigners call and then don't turn up!) The whole place is arranged around a garden-waterfall-fairy tale courtyard, where people eat and drink and watch TV. Looks nice! But - all the rooms (or better bamboo huts) show to this courtyard. So, every whisper and fart can be heard in your hut. On the entrance they say rooms cost 150 to 250 Baht. In reality they are 300 to 500 Baht. I paid 500 Baht for a big room with mosquito net and air-con, but full of mosquitos and ants and - as I said - bamboo walls. 500 Baht, and I had to ask for the toilet paper! The bed quilts(blankets) were definitely not clean. When I checked out (after one nights overpriced sleep), the lady got aggressive (rarely seen in Thailand!) because I only stayed one night and before had said I would stay longer. This place lives on a past glory - that will soon fade. I didn't try their cookery school. Should I?

Tawan Guest House reviewed by jobst on 6th March, 2008, rated 2 out of 5.
Stayed here 3/2008
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 17.
jobst also reviewed: Anouxsa Guesthouse, Chantana House, Chitanun Guest House, Huy Bao Hotel, Long Villa Guesthouse, Lotus Village, Pantawee Hotel, Phoukhanna Guest House, Phoutthavong Guest House, Sengdao Bungalows and Restaurant, Thakhaek Travel Lodge, Thu Giang Guest House, Tung Trang Hotel, Villa Merry No. 1, Vinh Phuoc Hotel & Restaurant.

Shabby huts, great staff - 27th July, 2009
For my conclusion, just scroll all the way down. If you like to read, simply continue: The Tawan Guesthouse is located on a 5 to 10 minute walk to the Nightbazar (depending on how fast you can walk past the excellent foodcarts :P). It's also convenient located near Tapae Rd (less than a minute walk), which is filled with great bars, restaurants and banks. It's also near the Wararot Market and the old centre of Chiang Mai. Walking out of soi 6 to Thanon Tapae, take a look to the left and you're staring at the Tapae gate. First I stayed at a bamboohut of 250 baht, which was located in the corner of the area. It was a bit small and dark, but it had its own bathroom (shower, european toilet and sink), a double bed, a musquito net, a fan and TV. When I came back to Chiang Mai a few days later, I stayed at one of the bamboohuts in the middle. This room was also quite small, but big enough for me and my girl and this room had more light, since it was located in the range of the sunlight (though not too hot). Last few times I decided to take the air conditioned room, which was 400 baht. This room was suited for 3 people (one double and one single bed), has a larger bathroom and has a fridge. Downside of Tawan: small, a bit shabby rooms and you need to ask the staff for clean towels and more toiletpaper, since they don't clean your room as long as you are checked in. Unless you ask them nicely (don't forget to smile!). Or do as I did; just stay there when you're sure you won't stay for a longer period. Besides that you can hear everything quite well when people are still up late at night and drinking in the garden. But luckily, I also enjoy the brew and I'm a hardcore sleeper. Also because of the garden, don't get upset when you see a few bugs in your bamboohut. If you're scared...just call in the help of the staff; They'll get rid of those creepy crawlers for you. Between my runs from Chiang Mai to relatives in the North of Thailand, I stayed 5 times at Tawan during july/august 2007. Why you ask? 1. Great value for low prices 2. The garden is beautiful and it's a nice place to lounge or just meet some interesting people 3. The food is GREAT! May really knows her way around cooking and the prices are quite low (try her rice-soup or when you're not in a 'Thai food state of mind' try her chocolate or banana pancakes). This also counts for the drinks. 4. The staff is really helpfull; great cooking, excellent laundry-service and really helpfull in booking tours, all at very reasonable prices (we booked the khantoke diner and show, an evening at Simon's cabaret and a day at a wonderfull cooking school... all inlcuded pickup and dropoff at Tawan)... always willing to answer any questions or requests. 5. The very convenient location. 6. It's a green-oasis set between concrete towers, just a getaway... but I'm a romantic. CONCLUSION: great value if you're not picky (and not staying too long)! Do try their food and enjoy the relaxing surroundings.

Tawan Guest House reviewed by Jimboichi on 27th July, 2009, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 7/2007
Total reviews submitted: 6.
Jimboichi also reviewed: Chiang Mai Thai House, New Siam Guest House, P.U. Guesthouse, Top North Guest House, TR Guesthouse.

Excellent price/quality rating - 24th July, 2007
The Tawan Guesthouse has a good location and a very nice garden. The Night Bazar and the bars are a 5 minute walk. First I stayed at a room of 250 baht, which had its own bathroom, a musquito net, a fan and TV. This room was ok, but than again, the roomrate wasn't high. When I came back to Chiang Mai a few days later, I decided to take the air conditioned room. Which was 400 baht. This room was suited for 3 people, and it also had a tv and a fridge. The rooms aren't that big, and you need to ask the staff for clean towels and more toiletpaper, since they don't clean your room as long as you are checked in. So don't stay for a long period, or ask the staff to clean it every now and then. The staff is very nice which is a definite plus. The food and drink prices are low, and their quality and quantity are excellent. So if you want a good location, nice staff, and a very cheap room and food and you're not staying too long, this Guesthouse is excellent

Tawan Guest House reviewed by Shoeburner on 24th July, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 7/2007
Total reviews submitted: 3.
Shoeburner also reviewed: P.U. Guesthouse, Top North Guest House.