Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tion, this upscale resort feels like a traditional Lanna village. Rooms are romantic and lux-
uriously understated with furniture in calming creams and rattan. The riverside infinity
pool and spa are the icing on the comfort-filled cake. The resort is about 500m north of Th
Singhaclai.
Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
( 0 5360 3333;
www.lemeridien.com
; 221/2 Th Kwaewai; r incl breakfast 3800-4300B, ste incl breakfast
5300-16,000B; )
Chiang Rai's newest upscale resort is about 2km outside of the
city centre on a beautiful stretch of Mae Nam Kok. Rooms are immense and decked out in
greys, whites and blacks, and the compound includes two restaurants and an infinity pool,
in addition to the usual amenities of a hotel in this price range.
HOTEL
$$$
HOTEL
$$$
Mantrini
( 0 5360 1555;
www.mantrini.com
; Rte 1; r incl breakfast 2300-2800B, ste incl breakfast 7500B; )
The standard rooms here are modern and spacious, if a bit plain. Consider instead one of
the two Designer Suites, which are decked out in a faux-Victorian motif that somehow
successfully combines disparate elements such as an African mask and a rocking horse.
The hotel is about 1km south of the city centre near Central Plaza.
Eating
Come mealtime, you'll almost certainly be pointed in the direction of Chiang Rai's night
bazaar, but the food there is generally pretty dire - don't say we didn't warn you! Instead,
if you're in town on a weekend, hit the vendors at Chiang Rai's open-air markets, Thanon
Khon Muan and the Walking Street, which feature a good selection of local dishes.
NORTHERN THAI
$
Lung Eed
(Th Watpranorn; mains 40-100B; 11.30am-9pm Mon-Sat)
One of Chiang Rai's most delicious dishes
is available at this rustic but yummy northern-style food shack. There's an English-lan-
guage menu on the wall, but don't miss the sublime
lâhp gài,
minced chicken fried with
herbs and topped with crispy deep-fried chicken skin, shallots and garlic. The restaurant is
on Th Watpranorn about 100m from the intersection with the Superhighway.
Khao Soi Phor Jai
NORTHERN THAI
$
