De Naga

Within a year of its opening this friendly boutique resort in the center of Chiang Mai became one of the most popular places to stay. And after touring the property it is easy to say why so many guests are impressed with this hidden away gem.

You should be able to get a room here for 3,000 Baht and you will not be disappointed. It is quite incredible how they have squeezed so much quality into a slim piece of land in the city center. Everything is Lanna style décor at its finest from the lobby up to the majestic Naga Suite (pictured here) which is a bargain at 7,000 Baht a night with its own little gate entrance. There is enough space here to host a cocktail party for 100.  The bathroom is bigger than some Chiang Mai hotel rooms.

There is a pleasant pool and bar area, tempting restaurant with both Thai and European cuisine and a crew of well-trained employees anxious everyone has an enjoyable stay.

The hotel comprises 22 deluxe rooms, 17 premier deluxe rooms, 15 grand deluxe rooms and the Naga suite.

All of the rooms have a 26-inch widescreen LCD television with cable channels, DVD player, in-room safe, full-size bath and shower, hairdryer, IDD telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and a work desk with Internet access. Items included with the room rate are impressive breakfast buffet, covered parking with elevator access to all floors and wireless Internet access.  

Who is Naga? This was a serpentine creature in Northern Thai mythology who helped the good kings build this city.

Contact details: 21 Soi 2 Ratchamanka, Moon Muang Road,
T. Pra Sing, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200. Tel: 05320 9030, fax 5320 8598. www.denagachiangmai.com

        Rawee-Waree Resort and Spa

This is a different idea for long-stay visitors to Chiang Mai. These serviced apartments are the brainchild of Marc and Luxami Dumur Utaipol, long-time executives in the Thai hotel industry who have constructed the property to be more of a home away from home than a hotel. 
This is a great location, tucked away in a tranquil leafy lane with very little through traffic, well away from noisy highways. The apartments are an easy stroll from many shops, cafés, restaurants, local markets, a post office, the Thai Airways downtown office, Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Centre, The Three Kings Monument and the Sunday Walking Street.

The city’s oldest temple – Wat Chiang Mun, dating back to the birth of the city in 1296 - is literally on the doorstep. The apartments overlook its impressive golden pagoda.

Two sizes of apartment are available – one-bedroom apartments and larger, two-bedroom apartments. Every apartment is tastefully furnished and decorated in a pleasing Lanna style.
A laundry service is available through the room maids. The lobby lounge is open from 9am to 6pm and serves coffee, teas, juices, soft drinks, beer and a small selection of wines. The complex can arrange for airport and railway station transfers and also offer the following facilities: Pressing and dry cleaning, limousine and taxi services, sightseeing, tours and travel arrangements, golf packages, car rental with driver or self-drive, use of the swimming pool at the new Center of the Universe Swimming Club, Dine by Dialing - a food delivery service from local restaurants, 24-hour on call medical service and 24 hour paramedical care for disabled guests.

These are high quality apartments in a great location. No expense has been spared on construction and décor. The owners prefer guests to stay a minimum of seven nights, although shorter stays are considered.

Contact details: 11/1 Soi 13 Praprok-klao Road, T. Sriphoom, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand, Tel: 053 225 000, fax 053 215 338. www.chiangmaifrangipani.com

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                                                    Holiday Inn Chiang Mai
This 528-room property remains an elegant hotel with plenty of style and comfort. It has gone through several name changes. It was the Sheraton and before that the Westin. Throughout it all, it has kept impeccable service and some of the best dining in the city. It claims to have the largest rooms in Chiang Mai. That claim must apply in the city rather than the province. The city of Chiang Mai is in the province with the same name. The newer and more expensive hotels, like the Oriental and Four Seasons, which are in the province, must have larger accommodation.
The place to enjoy a meal here is at the River Terrace, which overlooks the Ping River. Even if you are not staying here, the River Terrance is worth visiting at lunchtime when there is an enormous buffet at a very reasonable price.
The China Palace on the mezzanine is one of the city’s top Chinese restaurants and has the added benefit of five private dining rooms.  The hotel is only minutes from the cities most famous temples and the night bazaar. Many of the rooms have views over the Ping River and on toward Doi Suthep, the sacred mountain.
The property is one of the best places to stay in the city without breaking the bank. If you catch the Internet specials, you can get one of the best rooms for 4.000 Baht a night. And it will be substantially less in low season.
A friend wanted to stay an extra week here and asked the front desk if they would match a much-lower rate offered at another hotel. The hotel agreed and included a full American breakfast.
The hotel is south of the city and on the east bank of the Ping River. All the rooms are loaded with teak furnishings and most have great views over the river or to the sacred Doi Suthep Mountain.  There is a business and fitness center, swimming pool, beauty salon and the relaxing Vienna Lounge to collapse after a day of sightseeing. Contact details: 318 Chiangmai-Mamphun Road. Tel: 05327 5300, fax 05327 5299.  

                                            Yantarasiri Boutique Resort

The 42-room Yantarasiri Boutique Resort is just steps away from Nimmanhaemin, Chiang Mai’s most fashionable street. The architecture, décor and impressive landscaping were inspired by the culture of the Lanna Kingdom, which ruled northern Thailand for centuries.  
Regular low season room rates start at 5,000 Baht a night for a superior room and rise to 18,000 Baht for the special presidential suite. Check their website for up to date offers.
The property is within walking distance of numerous top quality stores, art galleries, restaurants and spas. The airport, international hospitals and the Chiang Mai University campus are a short drive away. All the rooms are decorated to a very high standard as the picture on the left shows. The gardens and use of water features make this small resort a perfect oasis retreat from the city nearby.
Facilities offered by the resort include a salt-treatment swimming pool, reading and sun-bathing sala, health spa, and a full service restaurant offering Thai, Chinese and international cuisine. The rates include transfers to and from Chiang Mai International Airport and wireless Internet access.
Contact information: 24/17 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6 Tambol Suthep, Amphur Muang Chiang Mai, 50300. Tel:  66 (53) 214214  66 (53) 214214 , fax +66 (53) 212 060 www.yantarasiriboutiquehotel.com.

                                                                 Veranda Chiang Mai – The High Resort
This luxury spa retreat opened its doors in mid-2008 in a private valley with spectacular panoramic views over the forested hills of northern Thailand.
The boutique hideaway on the outskirts of Chiang Mai has 69 rooms, in four different styles, all with large private balconies and stunning views over the forest, mountain streams, rice and tea terraces. These include 56 valley deluxe open-plan rooms overlooking the valley, six Jacuzzi pavilions with sunken spa Jacuzzis, six  rice terrace pavilions overlooking rice terraces with private plunge pools, and an exclusive presidential pool villa with two bedrooms, a living room with piano, pantry and dining area, a private study, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
All air-conditioned accommodation is equipped with modern amenities including LCD television, DVD player, iPod dock, free wireless Internet access, IDD telephone and fully stocked minibar. Rooms have either king or twin beds, open style bathrooms and balcony day beds.
Dining options include The Higher Room, a fusion of contemporary northern Thai design, set high above the valley, serving international cuisine with an extensive wine cellar and Rabiang Cha, on the lower plains of the valley, surrounded by rice and tea terraces. Both restaurants offer al fresco outdoor dining allowing guests to take in the stunning scenery.
Afternoon tea is served daily at Rabiang Cha from 3pm–5.30pm while The Lobby Bar with an open terrace serves cocktails, smoothies and fresh coffee. Meeting and banquet facilities are available for groups from 10 to 200. The resort’s infinity-edged swimming pool is located high in the valley, commanding panoramic views of the forests below.
The Veranda Spa offers deluxe pampering in a relaxing forest setting. Its private cottages are self-contained spas with large sunken baths, steam rooms, showers and twin treatment beds ideal for couples. The Ozone rooftop infinity pool affords sublime mountain views.
Daily activities include Thai cooking classes, T-shirt or handkerchief tie-dye instruction, yoga, stress release massage classes, Tai Chi, and northern Thai banner craftwork. A kid’s club keeps youngsters entertained with educational toys and indoor and outdoor activities. The resort operates a mini-bus shuttle services ferry guests to and from both the airport and Chiang Mai city centre for shopping and sightseeing. The resort’s sister property is the Veranda Resort Hua Hin.
Contact details: 192 Moo 2, Banpong Hangdong, Chiang Mai, 50230, Thailand. Tel:  +66 53 365 007  +66 53 365 007 , fax +66 53 365 362. www.verandaresortandspa.com/chiangmai