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:
Imm Hotel -
Prime City Living with a Twist

Text: Finley B. Luge
Images: Courtesy of Imm hotel

Lots of facitities - budget rates

Thaphae Gate is one of Chiang Mai's best known historical landmarks, often used as a meeting place by foreign travellers and residents alike. Its recently refurbished esplanade is where locals gather on mass for many celebrations throughout the year including the popular Flower Carnival in February, the wet and wild Songkran Festival in April and the romantic Loy Krathong Festival in November. Anywhere within walking distance of this area is considered prime location with plenty of budget guesthouses dotted all around, but up until a few months ago there was nowhere to stay directly opposite one of the city's oldest archaeological remains.

Imm Hotel is the latest in the line of the Imm brand of budget accommodations, following the trendy Imm Fusion in Bangkok's Sukhumvit and Chiang Mai's Imm Eco, a concept hotel that has a simple relaxing atmosphere set in a northern Thai style garden. As a budget hotel, the costs that are saved on cutting out certain luxuries are passed onto to customers in the form of very reasonable room rates. No elevators, no porter and no air conditioning in the lobby; however, the hotel provides CCTV for safety and security. It means that guests can stay in well designed and comfortably appointed rooms which provide LCD TV with cable TV programs, IDD phones, air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms, private in-room safety boxes and electronic key card at a fraction of the price they would pay elsewhere for similar accommodation.

Looking at the modern facade it seems hard to believe that 106 rooms are hidden behind it but that's exactly how many have been built, spread out over four floors. Superior, Deluxe, Triple and Family rooms are available, each similar in their modern minimalist style and all coming with twin beds, but with the latter room types having more room and furnished with a refrigerator.

Grab and Go is the name given to the daily breakfast that is included in the price of every room, made up of a self-serve buffet laid out each morning in the large ground floor atrium that is afforded plenty of natural light courtesy of the clear domed roof. Croissants, toast, fresh fruit, tea & coffee, cereal plus a hot dish of fried rice or noodles are what guests can expect to find. In addition, you con cook yourself some fried eggs and it's perfect for a quick bite to eat before heading out and exploring the city's various tourist attractions, many of which can be found a comfortable walking distance away. Turning right out of Imm Hotel takes you to Thaphae Road, one of the main thoroughfares into the city which will lead you to Nawarat Bridge, the flower market, and plenty of top pubs, bars and restaurants located along the banks of the Ping River. By taking a left out of the building you can stroll towards the Night Bazaar of an evening and take in a couple of lively bars en route. Heading straight across Thaphae Gate will take you to Rachadamnoen Road where the weekly Sunday Walking Street Market is held with hundreds of stalls selling northern Thai artefacts, hill-tribe trinkets and clothes, paintings, decorative items, and Lanna style delicacies. Some of Chiang Mai's oldest and most significant temples including Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang can also be found in this direction, plus a range of local coffee shops, restaurants and boutique stores.

Although facilities here are minimal, if you find yourself in need of a rest then you can chill in the large entertainment room; an air conditioned space with board games, sofas & bean bags, and a home entertainment centre where you can enjoy DVDs on the 40" LCD TV. Free WiFi is provided throughout the hotel, and for those without their own computer they can search the web at the internet corner on the ground floor. A recreation room can also be utilised on the fourth floor that comes with table tennis and football tables, coin-operated washing and drying machines plus beverage vending machines which are also provided on the ground floor.

Certainly the Imm group of budget accommodations has developed an excellent concept and there are plans for further projects in Hua Hin and Samui, not so surprising given the excellent response the current hotels have had. So, on your next visit to the city make sure to sample this unique accommodation, and long stay visitors should enquire as to their special weekly and monthly rates.