We Briza Hotel Chiangmai

The rooms are a good size, the showers are powerful, and the staff are nice enough, but that's about all I liked. The layout is strange, with every room facing an echoing central space, so you hear people talking, returning at all hours, and slamming doors. The sheets were stained and discolored, and really need replacing. The bathroom smelled of drains, though I know that's fairly common in Asia. The pool is basically in the lobby, so expect people watching if you swim. We booked because the fitness-room photo showed a treadmill for running, but there wasn't one. It had just one set of dumbbells, a very worn, rusty spin bike/cross trainer, and no air conditioning. The location didn't seem good to me unless you need the fruit market or American embassy nearby. It's quite out of the way otherwise. For the price, it wasn't a good stay and I wouldn't return.

For a cheap stay in a good location, this could work. The rooms are old but functional and clean. There's no breakfast, and the Wi-Fi is pretty weak. You can use the reception connection, though the workspace there is usually noisy.

The place was clean and the staff were friendly, and most things were within walking distance. We had brown water the night we arrived, but they warned us about the problem and it was fixed. The mattresses were uncomfortable, though manageable for a couple of nights. The air conditioner worked, but clearly hadn't been cleaned in a while, and after just a couple of hours' use in the evening it gave both me and my partner a nasty cough.

The rooms and facilities are spacious, so we felt comfortable, and the hotel was extremely clean. It also has a gym, pool, and free breakfast, and the staff were great. It might look a bit far from the center, but it didn't feel that way to me. Being slightly outside it gave us lovely walks and a chance to see Chiang Mai from a local perspective, including its people and markets full of fruit. If you want to see the center and spend time closer to local life, this is the place. 100% recommend.