Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 0 5390 4111;
www.rachamankha.com
; 6 Th Ratchamankha; r from 6000B;
)
The encore effort by architect Ong-ard Satrabhandu to Tamarind Village,
Rachamankha imitates an ancient monastery in Lampang. Considering its reputa-
tion, rooms aren't opulent and the superiors are quite small. The deluxe rooms are
more generous, however, with four-poster beds and bathrooms that double the liv-
ing space. The highlight of the hotel is the library, a light-strewn room smelling of
polished wood and musty paper.
AWANAHOUSE $
Guest House
( 0 5341 9005;
www.awanahouse.com
; 7 Soi 1, Th Ratchadamnoen; r 225-850B;
)
What started out as a small guest house has grown into a standard
multistorey apartment building on a quiet soi. Awana is a bit institutional, but has
large and bright rooms, some with balconies, TV and fridge. The bonus here is the
rooftop chill-out area with views of the nearby mountains.
East of the Old City
While it isn't as quaint as the old city, Th Tha Phae is just as convenient for sight-
seeing and nightlife and even closer to the night bazaar. Corporate hotels with busi-
ness centres and conference capacity occupy the area near the Chiang Mai Night
Bazaar.
If You Like...
Getting Pampered
While there are a few truly exceptional spas in Chiang Mai, the city excels in a more mod-
est category: old-fashioned Thai massage. Many of the temples in the old city have a
massage
săh·lah
(often spelt
sala
) on the grounds, continuing an ancient tradition of the
monasteries being a repository for traditional knowledge and healing.
1 CHIANG MAI WOMEN'S PRISON MASSAGE CENTRE
( 100 Th Ratwithi; foot/traditional massage 150-180B; 8am-4.30pm)
Offers
fantastic full body and foot massages, performed by inmates at the women's
