Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiang Mai

Advantages: Great pool and breakfast buffet
Disadvantages: Expensive Italian restaurant

...Highly recommend this hotel as a base in Chiang Mai. It is slightly out of town but depending on your interests that can be a bonus. Certainly if you have a family and don't want to be right in the middle of the city or the Night Market it is a great choice as a cheap songthaew ride will take you there in 5 minutes. We have stayed there a number of times and would recommend you ask for a room overlooking the pool. The pool itself is excellent and the hotel also has a tennis court if you can play in the heat! There is also a Happy Hour at the pool bar (2 drinks for the price of 1) at 4pm. Watch out for the Italian restaurant in the hotel - the food is good but it is (by Chiang Mai standards) expensive and there are so many great options elsewhere. The rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious and we have found the staff... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: see op
Disadvantages: see op

.... Chiang Mai is an altogether quiet place, like the countryside is to us in England I suppose, like a retreat away from the everyday rush of life. Everybody is incredibly friendly and will do whatever they can to make you feel at home. Nightlife Being on holiday with my mum and my 2 year old sister, unsuprisingly this wasnt at the top of our priorities! I did notice that the nightlife wasn't as rife as that in Bangkok or Pattaya and was frequented by less old men looking for young ladies. Accommodation Personally, I stayed in this HUGE hotel, it had like three wings and was absolutely huge. Nice as it was, I got lost every time I tried to get anywhere! Accommodation is readily available though and the prices are fair, for our stay at a luxury hotel we paid only £20 per night for 2 adults and an infant. Eating Thailand... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Vibrant capital of the North, Scenery, Choice of activities
Disadvantages: none

...Just because it hasn't got a beach, don't whatever you do put off a trip to Chiang Mai if you visit Thailand. This place is the friendliest and most vibrant place in the whole of the Kingdom. Its situated about 8 hours from Bangkok be it by train or coach.There are also regular flights direct from most of Thailands major cities. Once here it makes a perfect base for exploring the rest of the North, or to visit other countries such as Burma and Laos. Places to stay are plentiful, and you'll find prices a lot less than you would pay down south. We stayed in an original thai teak house which had been converted into a medium size hotel. The place was spotless, with a swimming pool, restaurant, and all mod cons. The price was 250Baht a night! Chang Mai is known as the cultural centre of Thailand.It has over three hundred temples... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful