Chiang Mai Phucome

The room's bed, sheets and blanket all felt so old, with dust embedded deeply enough that they couldn't be cleaned. Some lights didn't work, and the WiFi was slow and kept dropping, so I had to use my mobile data. Breakfast was poor too. I went down fairly early, but it looked like a large group had already eaten most of it; there was very little left and the food looked unappealing. This hotel feels terribly old, like traveling back to the 1980s. The room facilities and decor, along with the lobby and restaurant, all seemed older than my parents. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, especially since the price isn't low for this standard.

We're staying at Chiangmai Phucome Hotel on Suthep Road for a climate change mitigation and adaptation training program hosted by Chiang Mai University and jointly organized by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and AITC. We've been here since yesterday and will stay through the end of the month. So far, we're enjoying it, and we're grateful the organizers chose somewhere convenient and comfortable for the program. The location is very handy for CMU, and Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center is right across the road. It has plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment, while several 7-Eleven stores are within walking distance. The canal along the middle of Suthep Road adds a peaceful, scenic feel, and you can see both hills and city. The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, with the amenities we need. Staff are courteous, service is reliable, and the breakfast buffet has a good mix of Thai and Western food. The facilities show a little age, but everything is well kept and works. Wi-Fi has been stable, which matters for training and longer stays. For Nepali food, Everest 8848 is about 3 km away, with dal bhat tarkari, momo, chhoila and other authentic dishes. Namaste Nepal, known for traditional Nepali meals, is about 6 km away. We're enjoying the comfort, convenience and scenery, and it's a good base for CMU programs or exploring nearby.

The WiFi was so weak that working or keeping in touch with friends was nearly impossible. At night the shower was barely warm, which was especially frustrating in the cold winter. I caught a cold and suffered for a whole week, and thinking back on it still makes me miserable. There was no duvet either, just a messy blanket, so I couldn't get a good night's sleep. I hope the hotel takes these problems seriously and improves its service.

The bed and pillows were great, firm but soft, and breakfast was okay. The location is excellent: roughly a 10-minute walk one way to Chiang Mai University, with affordable food and other things nearby, and the other way to Maya Shopping mall. My only downside was the older, non-digital thermostat, which was hard to control. It was either too hot or too cold for me.