Chiangmai, Thailand’s second largest city, charms visitors with its many attractions, not least of all three fine hotels.
DusitD2
booking@dusit.com
Like all major cities, Chiangmai boasts a plethora of fine hotels, though none have the audacity to claim themselves to be among the world’s greatest hotels — as DusitD2 does!
“Well, it’s not us making the claim but Travel + Leisure magazine, which listed us in their World’s Greatest Hotels, Resorts & Spas for 2007,” protests D2 general manager Samock Inthavong.
Some people think of DusitD2 as pretentious and over-the-top. Case in point: the staff are called agents and not — God forbid — waiter or bellboy or concierge. Even the general manager is reverentially called guru! So Samock really is a guru, while his deputy, Tarun Kalra, is Guru 2 as evident from their name cards.
A spa room.
D2’s public relations manager Danaya Sarikbutr, meanwhile, is public relations whizz!
Called a “Siamese dream” and a “combination of Thai materials and high-end spunk” by the same magazine, DusitD2 Chiangmai attracts the town’s coolest crowd.
The staff — oops! — agents, are allowed to wear pretty much anything they like.
“Yes, they are allowed to keep long hair or dye their hair. Guys can wear earrings and all can don accessories as long as these don’t interfere with their work,” says their guru.
A special surprise occurs at 2pm daily. The staff put on a show and dance! Yup, the agents from the various restaurants, bars and departments gang up and perform a skit. It’s not exactly a world-class performance à la Moulin Rouge but you are always guaranteed a fun rendition of dance and mime!
Then there is the “surprise” in every room.
My desk had an orange plastic container with two packets of tasty rice crisps — gratis. Alas, the nifty orange plastic box is not to be taken home, only its contents.
“The surprise changes daily, from key chain to pen to knickknacks, and we have enough ‘surprises’ to last a few months for long-term guests!” grins D2’s guru.
D2’s location is exactly 40 steps away from Chiangmai’s famed Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road and the adjoining shopping malls. The hotel has 131 rooms, as well as meeting rooms, a pool, a corporate lounge, and a spa and health club.
Their Studio Suite deal is the best — for RM1,600 you stay three days and two nights, get airport transfer, a bottle of wine, daily breakfast, 45 minutes’ access to the Internet, free drinks in the Lounge and newspaper.
De Naga
info@denagahotel.com
Since naga means dragon, a hotel named naga must be fashioned after this mythical beast, right?
That’s certainly the case with Hotel de Naga.
The dragon motif abounds everywhere in this Chiangmai hotel, from the five-headed Naga King that is the extravagant fountain at the entrance, to the room door handles, to the long central indoor courtyard with its smaller fountain of a male and female naga.
So why the fixation with the dragon?
A comfy-looking Studio Suite.
“In ancient times when the gods ruled the world and legendary creatures roamed the earth, the magnificent Phya Naga helped the kings of Chiangmai build their city and endowed them with vast wealth, power and opulence,” explains general manager Vannasont Limprasutr.
Anytime now, the hotel will organise a Count the Number of Naga contest. I did a quick count and came up with 368 naga, which I think should be quite close, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Entrance to De Naga is via a narrow road away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This road is lit by Chiangmai’s trademark lanterns hanging from the trees, giving visitors a very Harry Potter feel as if you are about to enter an enchanted kingdom.
The 55 rooms are stylish and comfortable, and the facilities include Naga Restaurant, Naga Café and Bakery Corner (which boasts some of the best breads in town), Lovers Court and Spa Pool. The duck I had at the restaurant was one of the best I’ve tasted.
The Saturday Weekend Market is eight minutes’ walk away and offers bargains that include hill-tribe products like clothes and bags and the inevitable souvenirs, wooden crafts, silverware and garments.
Best budget deal
Imm Eco Budget Hotel
www.immhotel.com
Budget hotels usually scare the living daylights out of me since I am a true-blue sybarite, but Imm Eco is a different proposition altogether.
What a difference! No cockroaches, no smell of stale beer and no rats!
Resin elephants chunkydunking in the pond of Imm Eco Budget Hotel
For the first time I am perfectly happy to stay in a budget hotel, especially since Imm Eco can, in fact, put some four-star establishments to shame!
This budget hotel does not resemble a pre-fabricated, cookie-cutter, concrete block. The main building — formerly a colonial mansion — in a large, well-kept garden actually reminded me of Carcosa Seri Negara, one of Kuala Lumpur’s best hotels! There are even a trio of resin elephants enjoying a bath in the pond here.
The mansion has colourful rooms, easy chairs and bright décor, all of which hint of things to come, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Entrance to the pool is via a garden so verdant and peaceful you can hear the birds sing.
Apart from the pool, the inn offers Wi-Fi, an Internet café, a tour counter and even rooms for the disabled.
The wooden restaurant is basic but cool and very airy with funky elements and woven straw fans. The bath halls are a class act with tree trunks holding up the thatched roofs and enclosed, private shower rooms.
Even the dormitories with their double-decker beds are nicely arranged into an octagon shape with lockers for your belongings. Imm Eco has 71 clean, air-conditioned rooms with 182 beds in various categories. A shared room starts from RM24 and a private room all to yourself is only RM70!
Located in a residential area, Imm Eco is away from the night markets, shopping malls and sleazy bars but there are bicycles for rent, should you need to venture out. Stay here and save your cash for shopping!
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