Hotel In Chang Mai Over Songkran

[eddie eagle]

Plan to go to Chang Mai with the TGF over Songkran. Any advice / recommendations as to hotel would be most welcome.

Looking for somewhere not too expensive but not cheap charlie .....a swimming pool is a must.

Edited March 19, 2005 by eddie eagle

[PeaceBlondie]

See the list of Chiang Mai hotels, pinned at the top of the thread.

It's possibly the highest season of all; rates will be highest, occupancies full.

[ovenman]

If you have yet to organize your transportation to/from Chiang Mai for that period, you should get on that as well. Things tend to get booked up fairly early. If you wait 'til the last minute to get a ticket, the available choices may be dire (if there are any choices at all!)

[eddie eagle]

Good point about occupancy and rates ............I have seen the list .... but what I was looking for was a recommndation of a particular hotel or hotels from someone who has been to Chiang mai before.

Edited March 20, 2005 by eddie eagle

[chanchao]

This is a toughie as you will have to make a choice between being in the middle of the Songkran action, OR if you want to keep the option open for some day(s) to go in a different direction while still be able to reach your hotel..

Full on Songkran Action: Rydges Amora hotel, right on the moat. Half of the rooms should have a decent view of the action, too. You will not be able to remain dry at any time during the day though.. When you set foot outside the hotel you get it.

Don't stay near the Night Bazar; one way streets in combination with Songkran gridlock means it's almost impossible to get to and from hotels in that area.

Hotel option with a fighting chance of making it out of town and back: Empress Hotel on Chang Klan road.

Suggested hotels cost 1200-1500 baht depending on where you book. Cheaper is possible too of course; Like Lai Thai Guesthouse (=hotel w. aircon and pool) costing like 500 baht and being again in the middle of the action.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[Harmonica]

Plan to go to Chang Mai with the TGF over Songkran. Any advice / recommendations as to hotel would be most welcome.

Looking for somewhere not too expensive but not cheap charlie .....a swimming pool is a must.

Belle Villa if you want to stay out of town and also plan to rent a vehicle. About $60 -- if you prefer to be slightly out of town but within firing range, try Sirinart Place on Canal Road (400-600 Baht). Want to be in the center? .. Porn Ping (1,000 Baht)?

If all else fails, I'd opt for one of the bedrooms in Chanchao's 5/4 house.

[lamphun]

Plan to go to Chang Mai with the TGF over Songkran. Any advice / recommendations as to hotel would be most welcome.

Looking for somewhere not too expensive but not cheap charlie .....a swimming pool is a must.

Songkran is ok for the first couple of days, after that it's ######. I suggest you stay out of the city and hire a car.

[eddie eagle]

Thanks guys ....one last question ....when does the water throwing period start and when does it finish?

[fivevenoms]

Well, officially it runs through from the 13th to the 15th, so I gather you can guarantee a white-powder/water drenched monsoon of enthusiastic revelers. Some areas in Thailand will keep it going for a few more days, though. Not sure how they handle things in Chiang Mai, though.

[meadish_sweetball]

Thanks guys ....one last question ....when does the water throwing period start and when does it finish?

The white powder is FORTUNATELY very unusual in Chiang Mai, I hope it stays that way. The idiots in Bangkok ruin the whole thing with smearing that crap all over eachother.

There are no set dates for Songkran. You may get drenched as early as a week before the 13th, and as late as a week after the 15th, although the action is the most intense on the 13th, 14th and 15th.

If you go to Chiang Mai during Songkran you should be prepared that there is no opting out of the water fight. If it still appeals to you with that in mind, you will find yourself in heaven. I personally really enjoy it as a break from the everyday routine.

Preparations include making sure you have water-proof sealable plastic bags for the things you want to keep on your person during the day, like your mobile phone, cigarettes/lighter etc. A small backpack with two large plastic bags inside and sealed smaller plastic bags for individual items worked well for me last year. Be VERY, VERY careful with your camera - you are more likely to become a target while using a camera or a mobile phone.

[meadish_sweetball]

Thanks guys ....one last question ....when does the water throwing period start and when does it finish?

The white powder is FORTUNATELY very unusual in Chiang Mai, I hope it stays that way. The idiots in Bangkok ruin the whole thing with smearing that crap all over eachother.

There are no set dates for Songkran. You may get drenched as early as a week before the 13th, and as late as a week after the 15th, although the action is the most intense on the 13th, 14th and 15th.

If you go to Chiang Mai during Songkran you should be prepared that there is no opting out of the water fight. If it still appeals to you with that in mind, you will find yourself in heaven. I personally really enjoy it as a break from the everyday routine.

Preparations include making sure you have water-proof sealable plastic bags for the things you want to keep on your person during the day, like your mobile phone, cigarettes/lighter etc. A small backpack with two large plastic bags inside and sealed smaller plastic bags for individual items worked well for me last year. Be VERY, VERY careful with your camera - you are more likely to become a target while using a camera or a mobile phone.