At the other extreme, there are many gourmet Thai restaurants noted for their attentive service and stunning presentation. Bangkok's hotels employ some of the best chefs in Asia. Check the Bangkok Post for the latest deals. Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful, mountainous countryside, so it's a great place for a drive. Hotels are springing up like mushrooms here, so rates should remain competitive for years to come.
Every room has an excellent view.
Rooms contain mini-bars and TVs and those above the third floor offer good city or mountain views. Pool and restaurant on the premises. Prices here are seldom cheaper than in Bangkok, but there's a better variety of hill-tribe articles and you can sometimes find better quality. Taxi drivers will take you on a tour of the local factories for next to nothing, hoping they'll earn a commission from a few purchases. It's an interesting day and you can find some unique items along the way.