Budget Accommodation, Chiang Mai
Greeting: My good friend is having marriage registration with his girlfriend today. They started off as penpals about 10 years ago, then lovers, now becoming husband and wife. This is uncommon nowadays, but it does happen. My best wishes to both of you.
Prior to departure, I've made accommodation booking with Green House, a place which has received extensive compliments, as what I read from the Backpackers website.
Green House
The rates are fairly competitive:
The owner, Wu Chai told me the following via email (dated 20 Dec 2007):
Therefore, I went over with confidence that a place had been secured for me. Who knows, things did not turn out as expected.
When I arrived, I was told that, there was no room available. I showed the confirmation email. Wu Chai said, I should have re-confirmed with them few days before I go. As per their experience, a lot of travelers from China and Taiwan tend to book, but finally do not turn up.
I should have written another email, although he didn't clearly state this in his email. However, I forgot.
It was around noon when I reached. Wu Chai was not there. A lady (his wife, maybe) attended to me, explained everything, called Wu Chai and served me a cup of water. Seems like I had no reason to get angry. Everything around seemed to be calm and peaceful (some people were doing massage nearby), and the lady talking to me was very polite and patient. She said, they can find me another guest house (with better facilities), but the price may not be as cheap as Green House.
External outlook of Green House
Wu Chai then found me a guest house of his friend, sent me there, and I was allocated a fan-room with hot shower (150B). An air-cond room costs 200B. Although I had no chance to take a glimpse at the rooms at Green House, but the external appearance of Green House told me, the place I went over is much better.
The price actually does not differ much from Green House, and I didn't want to waste too much time on that matter.
The Kanlaya Guest House located at Ragang Rd, Lane 3.
It doesn't really look like a "formal" guest house.
Consequently, I stayed at the Kanlaya Guest House, for 4 nights, and my experience there was good. There are also some locals staying there.
The owner, Popy allowed me to make calls using his landline and charged me no cent. When I was not around, Joan (a CSer in Chiang Mai) called back the number and he took message for me, notified me immediately after I went back. Joan intended to meet with me at the guest house, but I had problem directing her to the place, Popy was the one helping me to explain to Joan in Thai, and the phone conversation took quite some time.
The first room (Room 7) I stayed.
Hot shower is available.
The corridor.
At night, Popy usually has happy hours together with some other Thais or travelers staying there, till about 12am. His face is always red, due to taking alcohols. I was invited to join.
However, on Sunday, they went to bed earlier. I was surprised when seeing the front gate locked when I got back before 11pm. He put a notice at the locked gate but it was in Thai, I couldn't understand at all. I then tried the side gate with another key coming with the room key, and I successfully got in. Luckily.
It's a friendly environment. We sat and had chats. On the left, it's the Belgium guy who had injuries on his left hand. On the right, it's Popy.
I stayed in Chiang Mai (CM) for 2 days (26-27 Jan), left for Chiang Rai and Phayao, then went back again for 2 more days (31 Jan - 1 Feb). When I was not around, I left the bought souvenirs with Popy, therefore I did not have to carry them around.
When I got back, Popy assigned me the Room 6. He said, that is a "special" room but he charged me the same price. I took a quick glimpse, yeah, the bed looks nicer (could be due to the bedsheet colour) and there is an air-cond. The weather was cooling enough though. I didn't even need a fan actually.
The so-called SPECIAL room.
It comes with an air-cond.
The thing I like the most about Kanlaya GH is the small balcony that comes with every room. It's a nice place for towels or any wet stuff to get a tad of sunshine and ventilation.
One day, Popy got to know that I went to the nearby cyber cafe to get online. He then told me, I can use his computer in the shop. I used once, on my last night in CM, and some of my friends on the MSN Messenger got the fake messages about photo sharing from me, they clicked on it and they then had to format their PC. I got to know that only after I came back to Malaysia.
Popy's PC.
Popy, do you know your PC is already infected by virus?
The location of Kanlaya GH can be considered strategic. The two cyber cafes charging the lowest rates are just few steps away.
The one on the left charges 12B per hour.
The one on the right charges 10B per hour.
To be frank, the cyber cafe charging 12B/hour looks nicer from the outside.
These are the cheapest in town!! Those in the old city area, where lotsa GHs are side-by-side, commonly charge around 30B/hour.
Last but not least, you can also have your meals at Kanlaya GH. However, the price is slightly dearer than other stalls (maybe coz it's called restaurant, not stall). I had a plate of Phad Thai Vegetable, which costs 40B. Usually you can get the same for just around 25-30B. If you don't mind to walk, you can get cheaper deals not faraway.
The lady cook.
The Phad Thai I had.
On the day I left, Popy helped me get a songthaew driven by his friend, to the airport. I paid 30B for that.
Honestly, Kanlaya GH is not as famous as many others, even compared to Green House. You can't see it from the map either. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean it's not good, or it would not become popular in the future.
For those interested to stay, refer to the following:
Popy was opening the shop in the morning.
You can send him an email for booking. However, remember not to repeat my error. Do send another email for re-confirmation 2 or 3 days prior to your departure. If you intend to cancel, do not forget to let them know. Just do not make the name of Malaysians sound lousy to the others.
I wish you have a great stay at Kanlaya Guest House too.
P/S: I think I'm also recommending Green House. It's another nice option for those who look for budget accommodation, although I didn't have the honour to try it.
Prior to departure, I've made accommodation booking with Green House, a place which has received extensive compliments, as what I read from the Backpackers website.
Green House
The rates are fairly competitive:
- Single room with cold shower (100 Baht)
- Double room with cold shower (150 Baht)
- Single room with hot shower (150 Baht)
- Double room with hot shower (200 Baht)
The owner, Wu Chai told me the following via email (dated 20 Dec 2007):
I have reserved the single room on 26 Jan 2008 for you already. I am sure you will love as many people do.
Therefore, I went over with confidence that a place had been secured for me. Who knows, things did not turn out as expected.
When I arrived, I was told that, there was no room available. I showed the confirmation email. Wu Chai said, I should have re-confirmed with them few days before I go. As per their experience, a lot of travelers from China and Taiwan tend to book, but finally do not turn up.
I should have written another email, although he didn't clearly state this in his email. However, I forgot.
It was around noon when I reached. Wu Chai was not there. A lady (his wife, maybe) attended to me, explained everything, called Wu Chai and served me a cup of water. Seems like I had no reason to get angry. Everything around seemed to be calm and peaceful (some people were doing massage nearby), and the lady talking to me was very polite and patient. She said, they can find me another guest house (with better facilities), but the price may not be as cheap as Green House.
External outlook of Green House
Wu Chai then found me a guest house of his friend, sent me there, and I was allocated a fan-room with hot shower (150B). An air-cond room costs 200B. Although I had no chance to take a glimpse at the rooms at Green House, but the external appearance of Green House told me, the place I went over is much better.
The price actually does not differ much from Green House, and I didn't want to waste too much time on that matter.
The Kanlaya Guest House located at Ragang Rd, Lane 3.
It doesn't really look like a "formal" guest house.
Consequently, I stayed at the Kanlaya Guest House, for 4 nights, and my experience there was good. There are also some locals staying there.
The owner, Popy allowed me to make calls using his landline and charged me no cent. When I was not around, Joan (a CSer in Chiang Mai) called back the number and he took message for me, notified me immediately after I went back. Joan intended to meet with me at the guest house, but I had problem directing her to the place, Popy was the one helping me to explain to Joan in Thai, and the phone conversation took quite some time.
The first room (Room 7) I stayed.
Hot shower is available.
The corridor.
At night, Popy usually has happy hours together with some other Thais or travelers staying there, till about 12am. His face is always red, due to taking alcohols. I was invited to join.
However, on Sunday, they went to bed earlier. I was surprised when seeing the front gate locked when I got back before 11pm. He put a notice at the locked gate but it was in Thai, I couldn't understand at all. I then tried the side gate with another key coming with the room key, and I successfully got in. Luckily.
It's a friendly environment. We sat and had chats. On the left, it's the Belgium guy who had injuries on his left hand. On the right, it's Popy.
I stayed in Chiang Mai (CM) for 2 days (26-27 Jan), left for Chiang Rai and Phayao, then went back again for 2 more days (31 Jan - 1 Feb). When I was not around, I left the bought souvenirs with Popy, therefore I did not have to carry them around.
When I got back, Popy assigned me the Room 6. He said, that is a "special" room but he charged me the same price. I took a quick glimpse, yeah, the bed looks nicer (could be due to the bedsheet colour) and there is an air-cond. The weather was cooling enough though. I didn't even need a fan actually.
The so-called SPECIAL room.
It comes with an air-cond.
The thing I like the most about Kanlaya GH is the small balcony that comes with every room. It's a nice place for towels or any wet stuff to get a tad of sunshine and ventilation.
One day, Popy got to know that I went to the nearby cyber cafe to get online. He then told me, I can use his computer in the shop. I used once, on my last night in CM, and some of my friends on the MSN Messenger got the fake messages about photo sharing from me, they clicked on it and they then had to format their PC. I got to know that only after I came back to Malaysia.
Popy's PC.
Popy, do you know your PC is already infected by virus?
The location of Kanlaya GH can be considered strategic. The two cyber cafes charging the lowest rates are just few steps away.
The one on the left charges 12B per hour.
The one on the right charges 10B per hour.
To be frank, the cyber cafe charging 12B/hour looks nicer from the outside.
These are the cheapest in town!! Those in the old city area, where lotsa GHs are side-by-side, commonly charge around 30B/hour.
Last but not least, you can also have your meals at Kanlaya GH. However, the price is slightly dearer than other stalls (maybe coz it's called restaurant, not stall). I had a plate of Phad Thai Vegetable, which costs 40B. Usually you can get the same for just around 25-30B. If you don't mind to walk, you can get cheaper deals not faraway.
The lady cook.
The Phad Thai I had.
On the day I left, Popy helped me get a songthaew driven by his friend, to the airport. I paid 30B for that.
Honestly, Kanlaya GH is not as famous as many others, even compared to Green House. You can't see it from the map either. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean it's not good, or it would not become popular in the future.
For those interested to stay, refer to the following:
Address: 112/1 Ratchiangsan Rd, Ragang Rd, Lane 3, A. Muang Chiang Mai 50100.
Tel: 087-5163732
Email: popy_sam@hotmail.com
Popy was opening the shop in the morning.
You can send him an email for booking. However, remember not to repeat my error. Do send another email for re-confirmation 2 or 3 days prior to your departure. If you intend to cancel, do not forget to let them know. Just do not make the name of Malaysians sound lousy to the others.
I wish you have a great stay at Kanlaya Guest House too.
P/S: I think I'm also recommending Green House. It's another nice option for those who look for budget accommodation, although I didn't have the honour to try it.
Address: 6 Ragang Rd, Lane 1, T. Haiya, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50100.
Tel: 053-276590
Mobile: 084-5041991
Email: greenhouse.chai@gmail.com
9 comments:
it seems interesting to be travelling with u with those mishaps/misadventures
johnny, it's always nice to reminisce rather than undergoing it. honestly, i think no one can bear with me, if the person travels together with me :)(
The guest house does look nice. That time when i went to chiang mai i stayed in hotels so it is very different with what you experienced.
It must feel good to travel like that aight? Next time, I want to travel around, alone or with friends and family. But I really want to feel how it is to travel on my own =)
End of this year, I shall go backpacking. but location is still yet to be decided. Ant suggestions?
u know, the was a day which i met a Singaporean uncle. he said, all hotels were fully booked and he finally could only stay in a GH. I didn't have good impression with him after knowing where he's from and few chats with him (i'm bad, right??).
i asked him, what's wrong with staying in GH... i forgot what he replied. but that time, i wished he didn't talked to me anymore. haha..
u are thinking to go overseas or just within Malaysia? i think at this moment, overseas is safer than malaysia.. as i read, a lot people have claimed that thailand is a good place for first backpacking. think about it. apart from bangkok, there is also CM, Krabi etc.
i cld fit in easily when travelling as i'm not that fussy. there are people who wants first class - these are the people who may suffer when travelling with u...hehe
i think everyone wants different things from traveling. some may want to get off from usual days and be the "king/queen" for a short period, enjoy the best stuff which is not usually possible. they are not wrong also :)
HI, last time i went to Chiang Rai alone,for that time a European talk with the Australian, they have alot argue about the vacation and travel.i understand and know the meaning about traveler and the vacations.Singaporean like to have vacation not travel so take it easy!
Greenhouse now has its website :
www.GreenhouseChiangmai.com
in Eglish and Chinese language.
Thank you very much Mr. Haan for such a good things you have written
about places in Chiangmai.
hi anon, thanks for the info provided. Wu Chai is really putting effort to his business :)
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