Best hotel near Night Bazaar around $100?

[beb]

I have a friend visiting Chiang Mai and asked about best places to stay in this area at this budget.  Frankly I usually stay in the cheaper places so I'm wondering if I can get any recommendations.  These are people that don't typically travel in SE asia and will want a little more than you get for 500 baht.  Anybody have a recommendation for a nice place in this area?  

Thanks!

[Sparkles]

Everyones taste is different why not go to some travel sites,like Trip Advisor,Agoda etc see the prices,photos,map and most importantly the reviews then book direct.Most places are still working on low season rates,plenty of good deals

[Paul Catton]

Depends on the date of the visit.

As Sparkles has said, Tripadvisor would be your best tool for the initial search.

In February, I initially have The Suriwongse for $84NZ per night, and then after a trip to Bangkok we return to suite at the Imperial Mae Ping for $111NZ.

[NancyL]

Both Le Meridien and Shangri La are among the top hotels on TripAdvisor.com and in that price range.  I've had more experience at Le Meridien and just love the place.  Can't get any closer to the Night Bazaar, either.  

 

The grounds of Shangri La are nicer, as is the fitness center and pool.  But, the fitness center and pool at Le Meridien are more than adequate, just much better at Shangri La for someone who is really into these features. Shangri La has a fantastic Chinese restaurant, too, (China Kitchen) that is actually quiet and elegant -- usual in a Chinese restaurant.

[tpiety2]

I vote Shangri La all the above and the Sunday Seafood Buffet Brunch in Kad Kafe.

It's excellent + King Crab galore but you have to ask for butter.

[Paul Catton]

2 hours ago, NancyL said:

Both Le Meridien and Shangri La are among the top hotels on TripAdvisor.com and in that price range.  I've had more experience at Le Meridien and just love the place.  Can't get any closer to the Night Bazaar, either.  

The grounds of Shangri La are nicer, as is the fitness center and pool.  But, the fitness center and pool at Le Meridien are more than adequate, just much better at Shangri La for someone who is really into these features. Shangri La has a fantastic Chinese restaurant, too, (China Kitchen) that is actually quiet and elegant -- usual in a Chinese restaurant.

Nancy, I think that although you may dine at these 5 stars on a frequent basis,  I don't think you are spending a lot of  your nights in their guestrooms.

Neither would come around  the $100 per night regardless of which dollar you would use US, CAN, AUD, NZ.

Beb's friend would likely be between 40 to 70% over budget if based against the greenback with Le Meridian being the cheaper option of the two, and using the cheapest pre-booking rate of "Pay now - no refund for Cancellation" option.

However, if you get or are aware of any super special deals I would be most interested, and ask that you PM them.   

 

Or if you have a member privilege type of card, can I borrow it.

Edited September 30, 2016 by Paul Catton

[cmsally]

Yangcome Village or Amata Lanna depending on dates. Ping Nakara probably too over budget.

On the other side of Night Bazaar Ban Thai Village often has good prices.

[NancyL]

You can get the SPG member card at Le Meridien simply for completing an application and disclosing a few details like your email address.  The card is totally free and good for life.  You're right, I do much more dining at these places than staying in their guest rooms.  The SPG card gives you an automatic 15% discount on dining at Le Meridien and email offers like this one.

 

Right now, they're running a special where you can get a discount of up to 35% off the room rates for advance booking:  

 

http://www.lemeridienchiangmaidiscoveries.com/newsletter/Le_Meridien_Chiang_Mai_Vol_26_October-2016/d_story.php?utm_source=Taximail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LE_MERIDIEN_CM--VOL_26_OCTOBER_2016_DB_LE

[Paul Catton]

4 hours ago, NancyL said:

You can get the SPG member card at Le Meridien simply for completing an application and disclosing a few details like your email address.  The card is totally free and good for life.  You're right, I do much more dining at these places than staying in their guest rooms.  The SPG card gives you an automatic 15% discount on dining at Le Meridien and email offers like this one.

 

Right now, they're running a special where you can get a discount of up to 35% off the room rates for advance booking:  

 

http://www.lemeridienchiangmaidiscoveries.com/newsletter/Le_Meridien_Chiang_Mai_Vol_26_October-2016/d_story.php?utm_source=Taximail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LE_MERIDIEN_CM--VOL_26_OCTOBER_2016_DB_LE

Thanks for the link Nancy, and it brings Le Meridian into expressed budget as indicated, Shangri La would still seem to escape criteria.

Does Le Meridian actually represent value for money for a short term visitor on an apparent budget, I don't think so.

And really the key is, value for money on a budget for the individual for an experience that provides a WOW factor.

Personally I'd drop a star and take a Royal Suite at the Imperial Mae Ping over an entry level room at Le Meridian.

Duangtawan Hotel is off the list according according to Mr Stament, also being a CEC breakfast novice.

Chiang Mai Plaza was one of the best in the 80's although I believe that any regular maintenance also ended back in the 80's, similar to Pornping and others similar establishments of the era.

They all have excellent facilities, fall well within budget and would provide an excellent stay except for the most discerning requiquiring white glove inspection and a desire to post negativity on TripAdvisor.

[evenstevens]

 have been staying at the Pornping since 1985, despite negative critisism ,and being rated  3 star,its great value at around 30 Yankee dollars,

perhaps you may have luck in securing a room which looks at  the vastly overated  Le Meridian a short distance away,and say to yourself i got  a extra 100 Yankee dollars

per nite extra in my sky rocket  (Approx) great saving must say

LeMerdian  is for the show ponys, but for those who have   the necessary cash  to pay for it, will be  disappointed  on what they   recieve, been there and done that, as have some of my cobbers, again vastly overated, and overpriced

its  A Pornping Hotel good early evening to all

[Paul Catton]

27 minutes ago, evenstevens said:

 have been staying at the Pornping since 1985, despite negative critisism ,and being rated  3 star,its great value at around 30 Yankee dollars,

perhaps you may have luck in securing a room which looks at  the vastly overated  Le Meridian a short distance away,and say to yourself i got  a extra 100 Yankee dollars

per nite extra in my sky rocket  (Approx) great saving must say

LeMerdian  is for the show ponys, but for those who have   the necessary cash  to pay for it, will be  disappointed  on what they   recieve, been there and done that, as have some of my cobbers, again vastly overated, and overpriced

its  A Pornping Hotel good early evening to all

Actually my first pick for a reasonable budget but still luxury type of hotel was the Pornping on the doorstep of the night bazaar solely for my elder sister for whom we are flying out from Liverpool UK.

Far too many adverse comments on booking websites has led  me to increase the budget and try the Suriwongse, Its location also has sentimentality from decades ago.

Pool still  looks good at Pornping and I have actually ventured to the rooftop for a drink or two on a previous visit, therefore reckon you've found a good place to lay your hat awhile, especially when awhile is back when fairly new in the 80's.

 

[evenstevens]

11 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

 

Far too many adverse comments on booking websites has led  me to increase the budget and try the Suriwongse, Its location also has sentimentality from decades ago.

 

 

 yes the Pornping  sure does get some flack from the booking / advisory websites, but if you beleive the crap written (not just the Pornping) on these sites , you are a fluffing drongo

having close  connections  along the same lines, they have  told E/S yonks ago, that certain amount of tea money or bungs  , puts you to the top of the pile, on these sites

 

sure their are some downsides , at the Pornping but with very affordable cheap room rate, given in a very desirable location,more then the makes  up for any inconvenience,  that may arise

its a  bright very good morning to all

 

 

[jobin]

Really, evenstevens is talking about the PingPayom hotel.  But he is reluctant to admit that so subs the similar sounding alternative hotel.  He is so enamored of the PingPayom that, although it's nowheres near the night market, his recent evening experience there remains cemented in his conscious.  However, the PingPayom restaurant is crud.

[elektrified]

On 9/30/2016 at 10:32 AM, cmsally said:

Yangcome Village or Amata Lanna depending on dates. Ping Nakara probably too over budget.

On the other side of Night Bazaar Ban Thai Village often has good prices.

I remember about 9 years ago, a farang friend booking into the Yaang come Village. Although he lived in Thailand for over 10 years, he didn't speak a single word of Thai and and had no idea how to bargain. He ended up paying 7K/night, very excited that he bargained down 500 Baht.  I, along with 2 Thai friends of mine, met him and his Thai wife for lunch at the restaurant there. One Thai friend was so impressed with the place that she wanted to book the same room as my friend in order to impress a French customer of her products that she sold at her shop in Baan Tawai. She went back two days after my friend checked out, and along with her father, negotiated the same room for 2500/night!