Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


	S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

LIVING IT UP:
Sawasdee Chiangmai House -
Vibrant City Living

Text: Finley B. Luge
Images: Apirak

Pleasing simplicity

Walking around the old city of Chiang Mai is an experience that travelers should put to the top of their agenda as soon as they first arrive in town. Presumably the majority of tourists reading this will have pre-booked their accommodation before arriving, and perhaps even a jungle trek or cooking course for good measure. There is nothing wrong with this of course, but I would urge you at your earliest convenience to pocket this easy- to-carry guide and start exploring the city. Today Chiang Mai is home to a variety of different architectural styles, with temples, hotels, old teak wood houses and modern homes standing side by side. Up until very recently, guesthouses were recognizable by their unassuming detail and budget room rates. However over the past few years we have seen a boom in the upscale guesthouse market and if you wander the streets you are sure to find plenty of examples. Hopefully you haven't paid up for the duration of your stay as you may well find that the quality and service of so-called boutique guesthouses matches that of your hotel at often substantially reduced prices; or perhaps you are thinking that paying a little more than what your unsophisticated guesthouse is charging may make all the difference to your stay here.

Either way, to get you started on your city journey, we would like to recommend a property lovingly built with the design inspired by travels to Europe, specifically Spain and Morocco. Sawasdee Chiangmai House opened in February of this year, and has already been accepted into the family of fashionable guesthouses. Prior to building, the brains behind the project spent time surveying the area's other accommodations and went to some lectures on the hospitality industry to try and come up with a concept that would attract both Thai and non-Thai tourists alike. Within just a few months of opening, this has proven to be the case with an almost exact split of guests who have stayed being from Thailand and from abroad. Interestingly, almost everyone that has stayed here has been a walk-in guest with only a handful of bookings coming via the internet.

The unusual and vibrant colorings of green, red and yellow attract passers-by who are often seen taking pictures and enquiring as to the nature of the property. Although the plot of land is only half a rai (800 square meters) in size, due to intelligent architectural design, 32 rooms have been built over three and four floors.

All rooms are clean and decorated in authentic Lanna style, with hand-painted wall murals in every room depicting different lifestyle scenes such as water fights at Songkran and cock fighting. Amenities include air conditioning units, refrigerator, cable TV, free WiFi internet access, and are well furnished with teakwood furniture and light fittings that have been custom made to the owner's specifications. The en suite bathrooms are spacious with dry and wet areas, and each of the deluxe rooms features its own private balcony, large enough for a cast iron and glass set of table and chairs, perfect for a morning read or afternoon drink. To ensure a soothing and pleasant stay the rooms, at 32 square metres, have been built with a real sense of space, so guests don't feel confined as they would in the average guesthouse. Sawasdee Chiangmai House is strategically located in the prime tourist area of the old city, next to the Thai Airways International Office and Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai's oldest temple. The center of the town, markets and many famous temples are within walking distance of here, but guests are also very welcome to use, free of charge, one of the bicycles to travel around the immediate vicinity.

Communal areas are made up of a lovely garden area with outdoor seating, and Big Sam's Cafe where a complimentary light breakfast is served made up of coffee, tea, and fresh fruits. Open from 7am until 8pm, the coffee house is a charming little place that readers should go to and enjoy a cup of mocha or cappuccino, made using coffee beans grown in Northern Thailand, or chill out on the free internet with a green tea or fruit smoothie whilst sampling one of the very tasty sandwiches or waffles.

Given this is the maiden year, promotions will be available over the next few months in terms of both daily and monthly rates. The staff here are friendly and outgoing so don't hesitate to pop in for a chat to negotiate a price for a couple of nights or for a few weeks.