Donger,
I went by Boothavon and Mandala.
Boonthavon is older. Rooms okay, small, with very very small "balcony",
but big enough to sit in a chair and drink a beer.
Albert liked the rooftop area to sit and read or study.
http://www.boonthavon.com/pic9.html
http://www.boonthavon.com/pic3.html
But Albert does not sweat. Ever. So maybe now, in the cool season you
could sit there comfortably. and you will be here during a cool time,
too. But forget hot season.
Add 800 baht for wireless internet.
They clean the room once per week which includes changing of the sheets.
Cost: 5500 plus internet=6300. Today they said 5,000 plus internet, but
that may just be for the low season.
Mandala house is nice. There is a small area downstairs to sit. It is
in a nice area, just across the street from Ya's home!
The room is small but okay.
The best thing about Mandala is that they clean your room DAILY, which
probably means to make your bed, do light cleaning and sweep the floors.
They change sheets 3 times per week!
Internet is free.
Cost: Whatever they sent....I deleted their e-mail. 9,000-9500
And the winner is:
Up to you. Not sure where I would stay. Boonthavon is very basic but nice.
I asked the staff if it was quiet there and she said yes, that mostly people
our age stay there.
Mandala is more than basic, but still small room. Depends on how much value
you place on having your room cleaned and sheets changed. That is worth at
least 1500 baht per month. But may not be important to you.
Also, the corner room at Mandala is the nicest. They said they would reserve
it for you if you want. That is where Toby stayed.
A word about wireless internet in rooms in Chiang Mai.....it will probably
work acceptably about 50% of the time. Around 6pm until midnight, might not
have enough bandwidth to even check e-mail. that is my experience from
living in 5 different places. Even with ADSL cable, the bandwidth is
stretched thin when the kids get out of school and play the online games.
So don't expect much out of your internet in your room.
A few coffee shops and restaurants have free internet if you buy a drink.
There are many places around Tapae Gate that have that on offer. also, you
can buy time from some coffee shops, usually at about 1 baht per minute.
Of course, more you buy the cheaper it is.
I just bought 10 hours for 250 baht, so that is a better deal if you know
you will frequent a place and don't like the coffee at the free internet
places. The place I bought it is Wawee Coffee which has 3 branches that
I go to daily. Large latte 70 baht, small 55. But if you buy the internet
time, no reason to even buy the coffee. you are a customer already.
Donger, I will go look at this place tomorrow. My friend Toby stayed there, and he is very picky, so you know it must be okay.
If this place is open for 9500, I might say go for this one.
What was the price at Boonthavon?
I went to the travel agent today. He said Air China is okay for what it is,
service is okay, and prices are the best. So go with it. And like you said,
having the return ticket will solve all the visa issues when you arrive.
He said Boonthavon house is old. not so nice.
how much was Khumphisaya?
I would suggest this: live in a nicer place than Boonthavorn, pay less, but
have to rent a motorbike. They now have automatics, that are as easy to ride
as a bicycle.
My rent plus electric (very cool here at this time of year, didn't have to turn
on the A/C) was 5170 baht, including 300 for internet.
I am a 4 minute ride from Thapae Gate.
So rent (say 6,000 if you use alot of electricity) plus motorbike (3500-4000 for
automatic) will put you right at 10,000 for a much nicer room and you have
transportation, which you would not if you lived in the Tapae slum area..
I am checking out Mandala House prices, though, so it might be good.
I would reconsider your staying options. If it is going to cost 9,000 to
live in Tapae in a slum, then I would opt to live 4 minutes away in a nice
room for 10,000 TOTAL with NO noise from guests and have transport included.
My personal feeling is....see how good or crappy Air China is before
committin to another flight with them.
Since you know you are going to Cambodia, let me buy
your ticket here and scan and send it or mail it to you,
or maybe it will be an e-ticket that you can print.
Yes, that would work.
I usually buy tickets from United. That sounds like a good price for economy ticket from here.
I am going to the travel agent tomorrow. I will check it out.
What airline?
i stayed at mandala house for a
year and liked it a lot.
it’s just about 3-5 mins walk to thaphae gate.
i paid thb 9000 per
month; don’t know what the prices are these
days. http://www.mandalachiangmai.com/home.html
http://www.mandalachiangmai.com/home.html
I told you already about my former adress close
to the Tapea,maybe it would be a good place for
your friend too => www.boonthavon.com The
price schould be around 7000 THBHe will get a
friendly, safe and clean place in the center.
> Subject: Re: www.khumsiphaya.com
> Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 7:43 AM
Huay Keaw residence is a good place. Next to the
shopping center which has a grocery store, movie,
Swenson's, Starbucks, etc. But if you are going to
study every day, then that is not the place for you. Too far
from school and you will need to take a tuk tuk every day
which is a hassle as you probably remember.
I think the Tapae area is the place for you.
John's Bar has a stool waiting for you.
You remember John's from the old bubble bath show
days. Well, that is well and truly gone and the bubble
bath venue is now a high priced restaurant. But John's
Place across the soi is still going strong with old
geezers like us drinking and passing out there daily.
Very close to the Tapae Gate and close to AUA where you
will be studying.
Huay Gaew Residence Flyer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffmcneill/sets/72157616437085971/
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2009, 7:23 AM
............If you have a motorbike, stay here: www.baansrimongkol.com
if not, look at Huay Keaw Residence. it is next to
the old shopping mall, so convenient for shopping, eating,
etc. and plenty of Tuk Tuks to take you around.
http://www.huaykaewresidence.com/
There are some places in the tourist area that are okay,
too. But I have not stayed there so not sure.
I can take a look for you.
Also, read Thaivisa.com. go to the Chiang Mai forum
and look up blogs about apartments in CM.
The Sri Mongkol is by far the best you can find for the
price.
these are two cheap places to stay with nice buildings and rooms.
There are plenty more in Chiang Mai
