Baan Siri ChiangRai

I've stayed here twice, for about 20 days in total. The location and view are nice, there's no road noise, and it's handy for laundry and restaurants. The room was clean, with no sign of mold; the water pressure and private water source were good. Staff were friendly, and reception is open 24 hours. There are some drawbacks for a longer stay. The rooms are very small, the mattress is hard, and there's no balcony furniture. Noise from the hall can be huge when the hotel is busy, and the water pump runs constantly at night, especially on the third floor, so earplugs are needed. Most staff don't speak English. The checkout policy is poor too: staying just four extra hours costs a full day's rate. I'd absolutely recommend it for a short stay, but for longer stays it's up to you.

Everything worked, and it's a decent option if you want somewhere clean at a reasonable price. The main issue is the noise: you hear everything and everyone. Luckily, it wasn't full during rainy season. Some of the towels are getting old and could be replaced, and it would be more convenient to have small hand towels in the bathroom.

The owner was helpful with suggestions for places to see and even offered us a ride to the bus station when we left. Our room was clean and roomy, and lots of places were within walking distance. We borrowed one of the two free guest bikes once, and paid to use a scooter for a day trip to the Sky Temple. It worked well. A motorcycle was available to rent too.

I've stayed here twice this year, first for a longer visit in January, then again in April after celebrating Songkran in Chiang Mai. Whenever I'm back in Chiang Rai, this is where I'll stay. The price for what you get is great, and the staff are so friendly. They clean the room whenever you ask, and leave two glass bottles of water each day. With plastic being such a problem across SOA, that feels like a thoughtful touch. There's a laundromat across the street and a Seven Eleven just around the corner.