Thannatee Boutique Hotel is one of the most interesting new spots we’ve looked at in a while in Chiang Mai city, or anywhere else for that matter. It boasts an excellent location and highly imaginative decor, and though firmly in the upper midrange, it’s good value for money and, we reckon, well worth a splash … read the full post

We’ve covered eateries in Chiang Mai’s chic Nimmanhemin district so now it’s time for a few suggestions on places to stay in this upcoming area of town. Our first pick: cute, garden-set Bunthomstan Guesthouse, which offers tasteful rooms at a reasonable price. We’ve heard that a boutique hotel is supposed to be one where each … read the full post

Don’t let the somewhat austere frontage of Seven Suns Residence put you off; the interior is cosy and welcoming and this recent addition to Chiang Mai’s midrange options, though still a work in progress, is already a commendable one. Formerly the Seven Suns Guesthouse, the place has received a complete facelift from new Lao-US owners, … read the full post

The Nice Mum Lodge opened its doors in Chiang Mai around a year ago and though we had been somewhat put off by the slightly twee name,  we checked it out it proves to be quite a worthwhile flashpacker choice for the city. The lodge is run by an elderly and very friendly Thai couple, … read the full post

It would be an understatement to describe Chiang Mai’s Rainforest Boutique Hotel as tucked away and low-key, since in the 12 years we’ve been in town we’d never heard of it until some friends recently stayed there. They gave it excellent reports so we checked it out: it’s a lovely spot and we strongly recommend … read the full post

Having plumped for Chiang Mai Blue House as our Chiang Mai budget recommendation and suggested Chiang Mai Thai House as a mid-range fave, we’ll round out this mini-series with our top pick in the upmarket category. If any of our visiting rellies or friends don’t mind splashing the cash a bit then The Rim Resort … read the full post

A long-standing favourite of ours in Chiang Mai’s mid-range accommodation category is the excellent Chiang Mai Thai House (see here for our budget pick). Location’s one of the strong points of Thai House, which falls somewhere in the range between upmarket guesthouse and boutique hotel. Situated on Tha Pae Road, Soi 5, it’s about a … read the full post

One of our clear budget accommodation favourites in Chiang Mai is the aptly named, to give it its full title, Chiang Mai Blue House. Being a pleasant shade of blue, full of lush plants and attractive wooden and bamboo furniture, it’s also one of the most photogenic. Blue House consists of a three-storey, L-shaped building … read the full post

Looking around Chiang Mai’s accommodation offerings it’s clear that for anywhere with pretensions above standard Thai hotel style or backpacker guesthouse chic then Lanna style is flavour of the month — or decade. But what is it? Good question. Historically and culturally Lanna refers to the northern Thai kingdom, founded in Chiang Saen but for … read the full post