I backpacked through Thailand for 3 weeks, staying in hostels and guesthouses along the way which ranged in price from 125-500 bhat/night (more expensive in the south). I arrived in Chiang Saen by bus from Chiang Rai. The town of Chiang Saen is beautifully located and full of friendly people. I was not able to find much information about hostels or guesthouses and this was the first one I found. The hostel is located within walking distance of the bus stop (turn left at the main intersection, walking along the Mekong river). I liked the location (just across the road from the Mekong river, with a beautiful sunrise in the morning). The room cost 250 bhat/night (there are rooms as low as 175 bhat but not available when I was there).

Unfortunately the rooms themselves leave much to be desired. Of all of the places I stayed, this is the only one that seemed truly dirty, and I was glad I had my sleep sheet and didn't need any extra blankets. There was a constant stream of of ants that ran up and down the bathroom wall (I am told they are attracted to the vine which grows on the roof). However, the thing that really grossed me out was the hundreds of dead bees/wasps which were trapped between the glass and the screen in the bathroom window (filling the screen nearly halfway). I almost couldn't bring myself to shower in the bathroom. I lay down to sleep late at night (after 1am) but there was still a lot of loud music and yelling from the bar on the next block which finally quieted down sometime after 2am (this was a weekday).

Chiang Saen itself is a beautiful city located on the Mekong River. There are many ruins of temples from the Lanna kingdom and the yummy food stands at night along the river. There are limited options for places to stay, nonetheless, I cannot recommend this place. If anyone finds a good place to stay in Chiang Saen, I would love to hear about it for my next trip.

Chiang Saen is a little city but a lot of histories. It's a pity that the earthquake's vanished most of "treasures". Temples, gates etc.
We didn't have any plan to sleep over there. But unfortunately, the bus just operated until evening and our Golden Triangle schedule's ruined our plan to sleep over in Chiang Rai.And the only vehicle that served is motorcycle.
The driver's pointed this place which is not bad for us because early in the morning we'll catched songthew to Mae Sai and crossed the border to Tachileik, Myanmar.
The room just like bungalow and it's cheap with standard facilities like TV and hot shower because at that time the weather's so cold.
The owner with his family's house is around and there are more expensive rooms which AC included (not in the bungalow rooms).
In the front of guesthouse, there are seafood steamboat restaurants which only availabled at night. It's so beautiful place to had dinner and the taste's yummy too..It's so romantic for simple couple like us.