Rama Guesthouse: Chiang Mai Guesthouse Review
Looking for a guesthouse in Chiang Mai? You won’t have to look far. They’re everywhere and at every price range, with private rooms with bathrooms for as little as 150 baht a night ($5 USD).
Of course, if you want cheap, you’ll get cheap: hard beds, loud music all night, wafer-thin walls. So after two nights in a cheapie, I opted for someplace a bit nicer but still reasonably priced.
I found Rama Guesthouse, right on Thanon Ravithi, close to Tha Pae Gate.
Rama Guesthouse, costing 300 baht ($10 USD) per night in the low season and 400 baht ($13 USD) per night in the high season, was the priciest place where I had stayed so far, and it was absolutely worth the extra splurge.
It’s in a convenient location, near the bars on Thanon Ravithi and the old Western men/young Thai women neighborhood, if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s also about a ten-minute walk from Chiang Mai Gate, where you’ll find great street food every night.
I loved the cool decor, and the shower was actually separate from the toilet (a bit of a rarity in Thai guesthouses).
But what I loved the most was the garden lounge area:
I work from the road, and having a few hours to write each day is ideal. And this zen garden was PERFECT. Excellent WiFi (which also reached the rooms — another good thing!) and an open area where you could feel a breeze and listen to the water falling — it was fantastic.
Rama Guesthouse is owned by a French expat and his Thai wife. Both of them are very nice (and she will CHIDE you for not staying out late — my kind of girl!). Additionally, while lots of Chiang Mai guesthouses pressure you to sign up for tours and activities, I felt no pressure here.
Would I stay here again? Honestly, I loved the Nimmanhaeman neighborhood and would like to try staying there sometime. But when I stay in the old city, Rama Guesthouse is the place for me.
I received a discounted stay at Rama Guesthouse in exchange for a review on AdventurousKate.com.
Related posts:
At age 26, I quit my job to travel the world alone. I spent six fantastic months in Southeast Asia and turned my travel blog into a full-time business. Today, I travel full-time, going anywhere that sounds wacky or beautiful or interesting. My goal is to show YOU how you can travel the world on your own -- easily, safely, and adventurously. 
That garden looks really nice, we stayed in something with a similar garden and paid the same but for a lot less in the room, no power sockets and no flushing toilet. We were very happy to move into our apartment here!
WiFi that works is always a little difficult to come by. And that garden? Total added bonus?!?
I love staying in guesthouses, they seem so much more personal than hotels (this from a hotel worker). The beds look comfy, and that garden view seems pretty sweet. This is really tempting me to head over to Thailand.
oh I love the guest house situation in Asia – such wonderful places to stay. We have decided to visit Chiang Mai since you talked about it, seems such a great environment
We stayed there too while we were in Chiang Mai. Great place huh!?!
Looks like a beautiful place, much nicer than where I stayed in Chiang Mai.
This looks like heaven, and for $10! Glorious!
If I was on an “on the road trip” I would probably backpack but at least once a week I would spoil myself with something like that… a good sleep and a good shower a week at least
It is stylishly designed, and the garden is a little haven. It would be hard to leave, until wanderlust hits you.
The red walls and the little wrought iron bed frames. So cute! And cheap! (By our standards at least!)
I cannot believe how cheap it is in Thailand! I love that guesthouse, so cute, and the little garden area outside lends to its charm.
How do I book from Australia
Most small guesthouses in Thailand do not do online booking. You need to call or book in person — the number may be on TripAdvisor.