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Hotel Reviews: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai

Posted by Andrea on  |  Leave a comment

Hotel Name: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi 

City: Chiang Mai

Star rating:5

JW Rating: Everything off in the Colonial Suites, but not in the villas!

(Shoes on, socks on, socks off, everything off)

This hotel is truly an amazing property. On a 60-acre plot 15 minutes outside Chiang Mai the Mandarin Oriental really offers it’s own Thai experience without you ever having to leave the resort. While I understand the sentiment of this, I’m not sure I like it. It’s a beautiful property, but by bringing all the art, crafts and even rice fields to them, I felt that it all lost a little bit of the reality. Their rice paddies stretch out below the pool so as you lounge on your deck chair you can watch a buffalo and farmers plant, tend and harvest the rice depending on the season. Then you can wander back to your villa past the Traditional Craft stations and see how local pieces are made. While this looks and sounds amazing, I feel that it takes a lot of the authenticity out of it…it’s like going to Disneyland and saying you’ve seen California! With that said, the gym, the spa, the restaurants, are each housed in their own stunning architectural wonder and you do drive around the property in awe – there’s a lot of architectural and design eye candy!

One of many pools on the property

As for the rooms, I love the Colonial Suites; they overlook the pool or the gardens and are colonial charm at its best. They are the type of rooms I love…an open invitation to get naked and enjoy the opulence. On the other hand, the villas that the Oriental touts as its best rooms, I find not as well designed. They are two story buildings with a bedroom upstairs and a living room downstairs. This sounds great except the stairs to connect the two levels are outside! This means when I wake up in the morning and want to go and make some coffee I have to go out on the stairway (in view of other villas, etc), walk downstairs, go into that room, make the coffee, go back outside and upstairs. No way! If I’m on vacation in a place like this I want to be in my pajamas until 10am, and my pajamas aren’t decent for outside stairs.

The Colonial Suite

I understand why this hotel has the reputation it does, everything you need is right there and the property is expansive and the buildings are incredibly unique, it’s the Mandarin Oriental Shangri La, but I just feel for the money it doesn’t have the right room design that I look for and I’m scared that guests staying here would have everything out their front door, but might miss the real Northern Thailand.

A Deluxe Pool Suite

Insiders tip: They have five smaller villas that have bedrooms upstairs and an open air sitting room downstairs. They are located around the vegetable gardens and I loved their simple charm and I felt the design felt authentic, and also more practical so I would stick with one of these or the Colonial Suite.

*All photos are from the Mandarin Oriental website … Read more »

Hotel Reviews: Yaang Come Village

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Hotel Name: Yaang Come Village

City: Chiang Mai

Star rating: 3

JW Rating: Socks Off

(Shoes on, socks on, socks off, everything off)

Yaang Come Village is a hotel we’ve been recommending for a long time. It’s located close to the walking market, but feels spacious and inviting despite it’s downtown location. The rooms are large and with painted murals of Lanna life on the walls you definitely know where you are and feel the local charm. The staff is lovely and go out of their way for special occasions and they love kids! The Family Suite of this hotel is really the highlight as it’s two large rooms, one with twin beds and one with king and a living area, ideal for families! The hotel is looking a little worn, but is still clean and they are constantly fixing things up and making sure they retain their standards. Their pool is large and has a small Jacuzzi attached. All in all it’s a great place to be based!

The Family Suite

Upside: Great location and a lovely team.

Downside: They only have one family room so it fills up fast. Some of the rooms are looking a little dated, but nothing that would make me not stay there.

Insiders tip: If the family room is full the Jr Suite is great for a family and the deluxe twin rooms have two queen beds so can also work for a family.

The balcony of the family suite
The Junior Suite

* All photos are from the Yaang Come Village website… Read more »

Hotel Reviews: Rachamankha

Posted by Andrea on  |  1 Comment

 Hotel Name: Rachamankha

City: Chiang Mai

Star rating: 4

JW Rating: Everything Off

(Shoes on, socks on, socks off, everything off)

The exterior of Rachamankha

Located in town the Rachamankha boasts 2 acres of quiet property perfect for a charm-filled escape. Rather than the more modern hotels we’re seeing open up, this hotel is a true tribute to the history of the area. Designed and built by a famous Thai architect as a hotel and as his second home this property boasts gorgeous antique pieces throughout and a private and peaceful setting in the heart of the city. Each room is slightly different with the deluxe rooms being the coup de resistance. With huge canopied beds, great rain showers and free WiFi and minibar these rooms have a lovely colonial charm with Thai appeal.

A Deluxe king room

Upside: From the rooms, to the private library, to the pool it feels very private, almost as if you’re a guest in someone’s very nice home.

Downside: It’s a pricier hotel, considering they don’t have a river view or a large spa, but you pay for the atmosphere and the service.

A superior king room

Insiders tip: If you’re interested in local art then ask to meet Paul Walker, the manager, and he can set up a visit to a local artist whose beautiful works adorn the walls of many of the rooms. A professor at the local university, you can visit his studio and chat about Thai Modern Art.

*All photos are from the Rachamankha website 

 … Read more »

Hotel Reviews: Tamarind Village

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Hotel Name: Tamarind Village

City: Chiang Mai

JW Rating: Socks On

(Shoes on, socks on, socks off, everything off)

I’ve seen this hotel in the past and really enjoyed it, but I feel that recently it’s started to look a little tired. With that said, this hotel offers some of the best experience opportunities of any hotel in town. They offer complimentary crafts, complimentary village walks, a trip to the local pagoda to learn about Buddhism and they have jazz music each evening in their restaurant. They offer different art displays every few months and their staff are warm and inviting. The rooms themselves are where this hotel suffers. They just feel a little old to me and they also lack privacy, with thin curtains that overlook the courtyard. The outside areas also feel a bit grubby, other than the breakfast area- which looks much cleaner and newer. It’s a tough call, because I like it’s location next to the Sunday Walking Street and the many complimentary experiences they offer mean you can have a much fuller trip, but the rooms just don’t quite meet the mark.

Insiders tip: This hotel is made by the fun experiences they offer so make sure you see the menu and take advantage!… Read more »

Hotel Reviews: Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel and Spa

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Hotel Name: Ping Nakara Boutique Hotel and Spa

City: Chiang Mai

Star rating: 3

JW Rating: Socks off

(Shoes on, socks on, socks off, everything off)

The exterior of Ping Nakara

This is a small hotel, with just 19 rooms, but they didn’t skimp on the amenities! From the world-class spa to the pillow menu this hotel really does pay attention to the details. The only room I didn’t like was the Royal Grand Deluxe where the front door enters onto the bathroom area. The other rooms have the front doors into the main rooms and I preferred the rooms with balconies as they had that outdoor area as well. I loved the breakfast and pool area and the library and lobby are a great mix of colonial charm and Thai history. This hotel is perfect if you want to truly feel that you’re in an exotic destination and you want a boutique option that still includes the nice extras we all like.

Insiders tip: The Nakara Spa, Wellness from Within, is a joy, try the Indian hot oil massage!

 

The in-room spa in the Royal Grand Deluxe room
The fantastic pool
A twin deluxe room
A Grand Deluxe room

*All photos are from the Ping Nakara website… Read more »