Despite our very high expectation with this hotel after reading all the positive reviews (with a #2 ranking), we were still impressed by this hotel.

The location is good. It’s outside the city wall on the other side of the river. It is nested in a quiet residential area. However it’s only a short 5-minute walk to night bazzar or a short tuk tuk ride to anywhere in Chiang Mai. Normally in Thailand I fear tuk tuks as many drivers try to rip you off, and I hate bargaining. But the staff at Ramping Village ordered multiple tuk tuks and negotiated a fair price for us during our stay.

The service was simply exceptional, and not seen even in most 5-star hotels. Everyone I met was warm, friendly, professional and efficient, but Wi and Wan were especially helpful during our stay.

We arrived in Chiang Mai quite late and were going on a hiking trip the next day. The nearby pharmacy/supermarket was closed so we were unable to get sunscreen and insect repellent. When the reception staff found this out, they provided us with insect repellent from the hotel supply. The assistant manager even offered us her own personal sunscreen (from her handbag) for us to use! We were blown away.

There was another time when we sat down in the lobby, someone came and turn on the fan for us!

The breakfast was also very memorable. Imagine being served king prawns for breakfast! The array of hot selection and freshly made omelets were delirious. And the selection of fruits was amazing; the mangos and melon there were the best I ever had.

There are so many other great things about this Ramping Village. Guests can enjoy FREE use of raincoats, umbrella, WIFI internet and bicycle. It has a great clean resort-style swimming pool and a brand new western supermarket nearby.

There were two minor issues during our stay, but of no fault of the hotel.

First, the room we were initially given was full of mosquitoes. I think this is quite common in Chiang Mai as it is rural. We unsuccessfully try to get rid of them ourselves, we went back to the reception. We were immediately given another room that was insect free.

Second, we booked a day trip through the hotel. The company was called Chiang Mai TIC. It was the worse day trip experience we have had. The transport was absolutely dangerous. They put 12 mostly well-built tourists on the back of a pickup truck that can probably sit only eight. I was sitting at the edge and almost felt out many times while we were on the highway. For the price we paid (1200B each), we deserved at least safe and comfortable transport. Last year I went on a similar day trip booked through Raming Lodge, we had a private tour (with only two of us in the van), traveled in a safe air-conditioned van with seat belts, for the exact same price. But this is of no fault to the hotel. When picking day tours, try to go with companies offering “van” rather than “pick-up truck” transport
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We stayed at Rimping village, taking two rooms, for three days in April 2009. Although slightly tricky to find, the location is good, being both quiet and within easy walking distance of the river and the night markets. The rooms are clean, quite new, and quite adequate without being stunning. The staff were excellent - greeting us upon arrival, and every time we subsequently arrived back at the hotel, no matter what time. The Included breakfast was fine, the usual buffet being accompanied by eggs, etc cooked to order. Had no problems whatsoever with anything at this hotel, so can recommend it fully.

Rimping Village was as wonderful as all the reviews indicated. From the moment we were picked up at the train station until 5 days later when were dropped at the bus station we were overwhelmed by the hospitality and lovely nature of all the staff. Every aspect of our stay was perfect. We loved our room, the pool area, the restaurant and it's food, the freshly cooked breakfast each morning (including a free breakfast on our first morning due to an early arrival), the free internet access, the local food market 5 mins down the road and most importantly the wonderful staff. Thanks to Tong and all his colleagues who gave us lots of advice and took the time to have a chat with us whenever we came back from a day out. I hope that we can return soon as it was very sad to leave but the adventure had to continue!

I stayed here with my partner and 3 others and we all agreed that we could see why this place is rated so highly. The service here is impeccable. We were greeted each time we returned to the hotel and given our keys before we'd reached the front entrance. We were also offered insect repellent each time we went out, and when dining at the restaurant a bottle was on the table for those who had forgotten to apply.

The breakfasts were lovely. Not a huge selection, but just enough. Instead of a buffet that most hotels go for, Rimping offer you a set menu to choose your hot food from, and the cereal etc is available on a side table for you to help yourself.

The rooms are perfectly comfortable and have everything you need. Free bottled water daily and a welcome fruit basket were a nice touch. The hotel is within walking distance to the night markets and a short tuk tuk ride from town (the alley way is a fun shortcut home).

All in all this was a great little hotel and I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. If I'm ever back in Chiang Mai this will be where I choose to stay.