Galare Guesthouse
Long-running flashpacker favourite
More on Chiang Mai
Still going strong after nearly 30 years, the excellent Galare Guesthouse, with its quiet yet central riverside location is still one of Chiang Mai’s best options in the budget to flashpacker range.
Travelfish says:
Every time we pass by we expect to see this long-standing guesthouse transformed into something boutique, doubled its rates or added another three storeys. But despite its popularity and prime location, the owner has stuck commendably to their principles and nothing in this classic guesthouse style joint has changed, give or take the occasional lick of paint.
Comparatively speaking, 25 years ago Galare would have seemed more on the swish side though these days, with all the new competition, it tends to the ordinary. The small garden with its well-tended flower beds is very cute and exteriors, in brick and varnished wood, are smart but interiors are perhaps in need of a makeover. It is reasonably priced for what you get though, and has a friendly, cosy vibe.
The rooms are well maintained and come with air-con, fridge, ensuite bathroom with hot shower, safes and huge beds with mosquito nets. Decor’s not up to much but not bad for 700 baht, even if breakfast isn’t included. The small restaurant, separated from the river by a tiny lawn, does serve very good and inexpensive simple Thai and Western breakfast and lunches though closes for food at 16:30.
Galare Guesthouse’s location is excellent, down a narrow lane of Charoen Prathet Road as it parallels the Ping and around halfway between the old metal bridge and Narawat Bridge.
They manage to squeeze 35 rooms in the three-storey blocks. All are identical and have small balconies, and all have similar rates for single, twin or double occupancy. Galare is old school but still a good choice by virtue of its position, atmosphere and prices.
Contact details for Galare Guesthouse
Address: 7 Charoen Prathet Soi 2, Chang Klan
T: (053) 818 887; (053) 821 011; F: (053) 279 088
Email: info@galare.com
Web: http://www.galare.com
Coordinates (for GPS): 99º0'14.95" E, 18º47'11.73" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 600B to 1,500B
Room rates
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Dbl air-con private bathroom | 700 baht | 990 baht |
Reviewed by
Mark Ord
Based in Chiang Mai, Mark Ord has been travelling Southeast Asia for over two decades and first crossed paths with Travelfish on Ko Lipe in the early 1990s.