Chiang Mai Hotels, Guesthouses and other accommodation
Accommodation
Chiang Mai is well stocked with all kinds of accommodation; usually there are plenty of beds to go around, but many places fill up from December to February and at festival times, particularly during Songkhran (April) and Loy Krathong (November). At these times, you need to book to stay at one of the expensive hotels, and for guest houses it’s a good idea to phone ahead even if you can’t book a place, you can save yourself a journey if the place is full. Many toots at the bus and train stations offer a free ride if you stay at their guest house, but you’ll probably find that the price of a room is bumped op to pay for your ride. For much of the year there’s little need for air-condition in Chiang Mai, though the more expensive air-conditioned rooms arc usually more spacious and often come with hot water bathrooms, which is a plus in cooler weather. Sonic places can arrange to switch the air con option off and charge you the fan room rate.
Though many guest houses offer use of their safes as a free service, some charge up to 30 Baht per day. Be sure that you can trust the proprietor before you leave valuables in one of the safes or excess baggage in one of the left luggage rooms while you go off trekking (choose one of the more well established guest houses, as they’re more conscious of the need to maintain their reputation); make a detailed inventory to be signed by both parties, because the hair— raising stories of theft and credit card abuse are often true.
Inexpensive
In all ways that matter, the choice of budget guest houses is better in Chiang Mai than in Bangkok; they’re generally friendlier, quieter and more comfortable, and often have their own outdoor cafés. Many of the least expensive places make their money from hill tribe trekking, which can be convenient as a trek often needs a lot of organizing beforehand, but equally can he annoying if you’re in Chiang Mai for other reasons and conic under pressure to trek, as can happen at some guest houses.
