Information on Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

Since we have now spent some time in both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai I wanted to recommend some lodging and places to eat in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Chiang Mai

Smile House #1 (400 baht/night) We stayed here for 16 days on this trip. It has a great vibe and is pretty relaxed. Highly recommended but call ahead to make sure you get a room. Room includes fan and private bathroom. All rooms are a little different so look at different ones if you get the chance. The ones in the ‘tower’ on the second and floor are pretty exceptional. They also have a great dog to play with and a pool to take the edge off the heat.

La Villa Pizzeria (120 baht/entree) This Italian place is in Lonely Planet but moved to a new, more central, location in Feb 2007. They make fresh pasta and wood fired pizzas that are all worth the price (especially when you finally need a break from Pad Thai). The Gin and Tonics are exceptional as well. The new location is on Th Ratchaphakhinai very near the intersection with Th Ratchamankha. If you have a Lonely Planet book it is in section D4 right by marker 145.

Le Spice (80 baht/entree) This Indian place is pretty amazing and maybe the best place to eat in the city. It recently opened so is not in Lonely Planet yet. Located very near the night bazaar near Shere Shiraz (another Indian place that is in LP but has closed down–marker 153 in LP map) on Soi6, Th Charoen Prathet.

Chiang Mai Thai Language Center (in Lonely Planet) We took private Thai lessons at this language center. It was great–in total we took about 10 lessons. The price was 300 baht for both of us (1 hour). We learned a lot quickly with both of their instructors (Ann and Sum Pop). Highly, highly recommend. Pop Gun Mi!

Ban Nit (Massage) This place is even better than last year as it has moved into improved facilities two doors down from the old location in Lonely Planet. Incredibly professional. 1.5 hour Thai message for 270 baht. Francie also got a body scrub and oil massage that is recommended (600 baht for 2 hours-that is about $17).

Drunken Flower I like this bar that is outside the moat. They have great Mojitos and a cool dog named Charcoal.

Ginger-A nice place for women to shop for clothing. Sizes are for western sized women and not the small Asian frame. There are two locations with different clothing. The one outside the moat is next to lots of upscale shopping for the tourist.

Chiang Rai

Tourist Inn (250 baht/night, fan, hot water). I think they also have rooms for 180 (fan) or 400 (with AC). Everyone makes a bee line for Baan Bua guest house but they are always full. Tourist Inn is just a small walk from there and they are very friendly, TV with HBO and Cinemax in lobby, Bangkok Post and internet for 25 baht/hour prorated. They are very friendly, the rooms are exceptionally clean and they swap out the towels every day.

Teepee Bar is in Lonely Planet. Nice atmosphere and the drinks are cheap for Thailand. A shot of Sang Som on the rocks is 30 baht compared to 100 baht in Chiang Mai.