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Located down a narrow, little-frequented soi behind Wat Chedi Luang, and with the already brief name partially obscured by foliage, you can walk right past without noticing it. This is a good sign we reckon, as they’re clearly confident reputation and word of mouth suffice to attract custom, and it also means that you’ve got a shot at last-minute availability at this excellent flashpacker to midrange option.

Out of bed and into the pool. Photo: Mark Ord

This Ratchamanka address was Bed’s first Old City location and is part of a locally run mini-chain of four hotels across Chiang Mai. The first is out near the 700 Year Old Stadium but they also have hotels on Nimmanhemin Soi 17 and another conveniently close by near Chiang Mai Gate, so business must be booming.

The formula is straightforward: They offer well thought out and simple decor, good value rooms and friendly and efficient staff. Amusing (well, we thought so) bed-themed puns and slogans are stencilled on the walls, but overall the look is uncluttered and manages to be sharp and modern without being too stark. The colour scheme, extending from communal areas to rooms, is black and white, and there’s an overall intelligent use of relatively limited space.

Clean modern rooms. Photo: Mark Ord

A small breakfast area with included buffet is set to the left of reception on entering, beyond which they’ve managed to squeeze in a small pool. Rooms are in a three-storey building to the rear. They’re not exactly spacious but not too cramped either, and every room comes with a small balcony.

Rooms are again black and white, with no superfluous decor, and amenities suffice without any frills: cable TV, small fridge, bedside lamps, fast WiFi and hot showers, which even come with shower curtains. Coffee and drinking water are available all day for free. Rooms were spotless, and the decent-sized beds come in double or twin formats. The staff members we met were friendly, with a good command of English.

Rooms are well kitted out. Photo: Mark Ord

The location is very central, being a short hop from Wat Phra Singh and Ratchadamnern, and free bicycles for guests are on offer. The back soi position we mentioned should make for a quiet night’s sleep.

With a generous 20 percent low season discount it’s difficult to find fault, making Bed a hard one to beat in this flashpacker to midrange pricepoint. Plus of course, if you like the style but prefer an alternative location, there are a few others to choose from.