The Manathai Village in Chiang Mai is an excellent choice for spending some days in this very nice and relaxed city.
The rooms are beautifully arranged and the location couldn't be better: only 5 mn from Night Market.
The pool area is very nice also and the service was perfect.
I would recommend this hotel at any time.

We had booked in to stay at the Manathai's 'premier' suite, and arrived late in the evening, after a long day travelling, looking forward to relaxing and winding down.

Arriving at the hotel, we were led to our room, which was certainly very impressive in terms of decor and atmospherics, but was also located directly above the bar, and shared a wall with the restaurant (used for all meals). The room was also right next to the roadside.

The upshot of this was that in spite of a beautiful room, we had no sleep as we were kept awake to the sounds of the bar patrons late into the night - then woken by frequent road traffic - till in the early morning the sounds of the breakfast kitchen and lobby staff woke us again.

Clearly the staff are aware of this problem as when we descended at 130am to complain - they were able to predict the problem before we had said a word. It seems ridiculous to have the 'best room' in such an absurd location, with constant noise and minimal privacy. Although the surroundings and decor of the hotel are very beautiful, the lack of space or peace was a real downside. We checked out the next morning.

You know a hotel is special when your guests just don't want to leave... and after a 3-night stay at Manathai Village, that's exactly how we feel! This place is a diamond in the rough; as you drive towards it through a narrow, modest soi (alleyway) you may have your doubts, but the hotel that awaits is a true oasis. It doesn't even cost a lot to stay here (a deluxe room like the one we stayed in is around 7000 baht a night but you can book even cheaper through agents online) - and you will not regret it!

We loved:
- the welcome
- the staff - incredibly friendly and will help however they can
- the ambience! it feels like you're staying in an old thai village... water features and streams throughout the property give a feeling of serenity...and at night the soft lighting is just beautiful.
- boutique feel - the resort is small and there aren't many families with children staying there
- those little extras you didn't expect - like free internet, dvd library, delicious peppermint bathroom products, peanuts with your bar drinks, etc.

The downsides (if we have to be REALLY picky):
- the location - if your room is on the alleyway side of the road, prepare to be awoken by scooters zipping down the soi early in the morning

High-rise, chain hotels are okay in Bangkok, but up in Thailand's cultural heart you'll want to stay somewhere with a bit of character. And we think Manathai Village certainly has a lot of that.

We loved staying here. We would spend the most peaceful afternoons or evenings sitting on the front porch attached to our room, which was at the poolside. It was quiet and beautiful, with flowers and other landscaping setting the scene for a tropical, Thai feel. They served small appetizers around happy-hour time. The staff was kind and courteous, and the breakfast buffet each morning was satisfying.
I would definitely go back!