Travel To Chang Mai

[John13]

i shall be in thailand from sept to feb. when is the best time to go to chang mai? i heard it gets bad when they slash and burn the fields, when is that? does anyone have any information or could recommend apartments or hotels one a month stay or more? all i need is one star, a/c, shower, toliet, cable tv, internet is a plus, and not to far off the beat. i've been there before five years ago, with friends who were accustomed to three star hotels. so, this time i am looking for a cheaper place and a longer stay. thanks

[stevemcqueen]

Dear John.

In March,I stayed at the Montri,near the Thaphae gate.

900baht per night,including an excellent breakfast.You'll have to ask them about monthly/long term rates.

Seemed to have everything you are requiring.

[thecatman]

It doesn't meet all your requirements, but I recently stayed at www.smilehousechiangmai.com while visiting friends in CNX. I stayed at Smile House 1, which is in a great location in the centre of town. I had one of the cheaper rooms, 200bt a night which was basically for a bed and fan room. The bathroom was shared outside the room, but that's really no problem for me. It's an old wooden styled building which is well kept and great place to relax as it's very quiet there, even though it's only 2 minutes walk from John's Place. I don't think there can be too many places in such a great location with a swimming pool for 200bt! There are many internet places close by and the nearby Rose Guesthouse/Restaurant does a very good value English breakfast As for the time of year to go, well, I don't think it really matters, I lived in Chiang Mai for the whole of 2007, it seems to be much the same all year round. (Barring Festival times of course).

[John13]

It doesn't meet all your requirements, but I recently stayed at www.smilehousechiangmai.com while visiting friends in CNX. I stayed at Smile House 1, which is in a great location in the centre of town. I had one of the cheaper rooms, 200bt a night which was basically for a bed and fan room. The bathroom was shared outside the room, but that's really no problem for me. It's an old wooden styled building which is well kept and great place to relax as it's very quiet there, even though it's only 2 minutes walk from John's Place. I don't think there can be too many places in such a great location with a swimming pool for 200bt! There are many internet places close by and the nearby Rose Guesthouse/Restaurant does a very good value English breakfast As for the time of year to go, well, I don't think it really matters, I lived in Chiang Mai for the whole of 2007, it seems to be much the same all year round. (Barring Festival times of course).

thanks, that may fill my need. my only other questions are: it is fairly clean, how often do they change the sheets and towels? is there a washing machine in the building and or nearby? and lastly, can you bring girls in the room for an overnight stay? i am retired now, and in days past spent most of my time in pattaya, but i am tired of that scene, and would only need company every so often. one of my hobbies is reading, and it would be too expansive purchasing books. i heard that there is a good library in chiang mai, and even if there is a small membership fee, i would be willing to pay. thanks for info.

[thecatman]

john13, Yes, it's very clean, and I believe sheets are changed everyday if you so wish. (I think you have to ask/tell them). I'm not sure if there's a washing machine within the building, but there's a little laundry lady nearby who'll do your washing for peanuts (they are everywhere in CNX). I think it's OK to bring back your evening's entertainment to your room, although I can't be 100% sure about that as I never did.

The 200 baht a night room may not quite reach the standard you require, so maybe take a look at the higher priced rooms too. There are many 'homely' guesthouses in the area close to smile house 1, so if it's not quite up to standard then another option is not far away. The reason I suggested it is not for the quailty of the room, but more for the friendly and helpful staff, relaxing lounge area and pool.

I'm no book buff but I did notice a small bookshop nearby, I think the general rule with alot of these bookshops is, you buy the book, and after reading, they'll agree to buy it back again for around 50% of the original price. As for the Library, I think it's at Chiang Mai University, http://library.cmu.ac.th/cmul_new/index.php there may well also be another one somewhere. You could also take a look at www.geckobooks.net/ (Good website).

[Zpete]

That sounds good, my Lil Thai gal and I will try a few nites there.

I usually stay at Spiceythai Backpackers, which is the best ever, for backpackpacking, NOT entertaining femmes at nite tho.......LOL

Thanks matey.