Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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LIVING IT UP:
Tadkham Village -
"A Home from Home"

Text: Finley B. Luge
Photos: Tadkham Village

Comfort

Around ten years ago the owner of this beautiful boutique hotel bought a modest plot of land, with the intention of building a house where she and her husband would retire. Sadly, before this dream could be realized, her life companion passed away and with that the idea of building the house. In its place it was decided that the land be used to develop the now standing Tadkham Village, and it was left to the nephew of the proprietor to design and build the project; so just two years ago, work began in earnest, and a year later it was completed.

Opposite Chiang Mai gate you will find a Buddhist Temple named Wat Tadkham, and the little boutique hotel, named after the temple can be found just a few metres away at the end of the cul-de-sac. The privacy of the location adds to the homely feel that seems to be the inspiration for the style of the manor.

On our visit to the village we initially encountered an elegant entrance that leads onto a delightfully appointed open terrace with comfortable seating carefully laid out. Water features are apparent here and throughout the property, with a pretty stream bisecting the main living quarters. Moving on to the reception area we were cheerily greeted by the staff and manager Khun Goy, with whom I spoke about the ambience and ethos of the place.

Foot massage

"As it was intended that a home would be built here, there was a strong desire to make the new property feel as such. Customers that stay here are those looking for a home from home and are treated like members of the family as soon as they arrive."

The gracious looking Lanna style facade of the main buildings is maintained in the rooms, which have been fitted out elegantly. A standard room comes with all you would expect from a hotel, yet somehow feels like the guestroom of an old colonial family's stately home. The beds are majestic and the well-assorted furnishings compliment the hotel's homely style. The bathrooms are spacious and clean, and many of the rooms have a balcony on which you can sit, relax and take in the surrounds. The few deluxe rooms that are on offer are extremely spacious and come with extra furnishings including sofas, a dining room table and chairs.

It seems that in today's climate it is a necessity for even a small boutique hotel to provide their customers with access to the internet. Tadkham Village is no exception and internet links are provided as standard in all the rooms, and wireless is available in the communal areas free of charge.

Lanna style

Goy points out that although breakfast is included in the price of the room, the restaurant does not provide a menu. This does not mean, however, that you can't ask for some food to be prepared.

"Of course we can make food for guests if they request it; some fried rice or noodles is no problem at all. Just like if you were at home and asked your mother or wife to fix you a snack when you get home from work, we are more than happy to do this. The lounging areas are open 24 hours a day for those who like a midnight snack or who need to get online with friends and family in the middle of the night."

Goy and her staff can also suggest and arrange ideas for any traveling you have in mind around Chiang Mai, as they have links to well-established local travel agents in the area.

Boutique hotel

Imagine you've spent all day walking around the old city visiting temples, taking in a few local markets en route, and you arrive home with a sore pair of feet. Or you've been up since the break of dawn to go on a day-trek through the jungle,riding elephants and bamboo rafting,and your whole body is aching by sunset.

Well, if you are arriving back home to Tadkham Village then you are in luck. The in-house Spa massage provided offers a host of treatments that will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and in a state of utter bliss. Be careful though, at such low costs, you may just find yourself indulging on a daily basis!

The rooms on offer are excellent value for money and the daily rates are priced at 900 baht for the standard, 1,200 baht for superior and 1,500 baht for the deluxe room. Certain of the rooms are available for long stay in which case monthly rates are offered with considerable savings. In any event, if you are looking for a comfortable, relaxed and modern place to stay whilst in Chiang Mai and want something a bit more luxurious than a guesthouse yet more affordable than a hotel you will be hard pressed to find anything better than Tadkham Village.

Enquiries can be made via email at: tadkham-village@hotmail.com, or by telephone on: 053-203799 and 089-4334074.