Tamarind Village

I have always wanted to stay at the Tamarind village ever since I???ve visited the spa years ago on holiday and was very impressed by the staff and taken aback by the gorgeous setting of the property - especially the dramatic curved bamboo walkway leading to the hotel from the main road. Even though it is not the newest hotel in town, Tamarind Village is a classy act and the location in old town makes this a perfect hotel for you to explore the temples in Chiang Mai by foot. However, bear in mind that this is not as luxurious as it sister hotel, Raya Heritage, as it is a 4-star property. However, i much prefer Tamarind Village over Raya Heritage as I stayed at both back-to-back. Service from stuff here are top-notch and I like how they are friendly but not overly intrusive. The property is set in a courtyard style design and i stayed for 2 nights in the entry level rooms with only a standing shower and no balcony. As I was staying alone I found my room to be perfectly adequate for one person but this room lacks a sitting area so the only place you can sit is on your bed or on a wooden stool at the study table which is not exactly comfortable. The room is brilliantly designed to maximize space and layout with wardrobes built into the walls and the bathroom, though only with one sink in the middle (gorgeous copper sink) is very airy and spacious with a clearly separated shower stall to the left, and the toilet to the right. Toiletries were provided by local artisanal spa brand, ERB - and the scents were reminiscent of the hotel???s sister property in Krabi, the Rayavadee. However, i also noticed that the hotel did not provide any toothbrush and razors, so unsure if they have them. The bed was firm, but comfortable and even though the hotel was apologetic that they don???t have any memory foam or latex pillows, I found the firm pillows they provided to be good enough for a side sleeper. Shower pressure was good and the faucet is only a wall mounted type that is of dated look (those that dont have many water output modes but rather with a turn dial at the side reminiscent of highway motels in US), but i had no issues with it as hot water gets heated fast (taps are dual tap system when you had to turn both hot and cold and adjust each individually - sinks as well). Unsure if there was any turn down as I had my DND sign hung - since i knew it was a 4-star property, I wasn???t expecting it as well. The AC in the room is individual split-unit type, and you can control the settings through the remote. The TV don???t have that many channels, though Wi-Fi connection is reliable. Additional amenities include a mini bar with Dilmh teabags, and drip coffee using beans from locally sourced northern coffee farms. There is also a mini fridge that was empty, so you can probably stock-up with your own stuff from the nearby grocer. The hotel provides timed shuttles between the Tamarind Village and it???s sister property along the river, Raya Heritage, so if you want to take a look at the other hotel you can just pop by easily. There is also a nice pool in the hotel waist and pull day beds and sun loungers, though this is just next to the restaurant and first thing people see when they arrive at the hotel, so you might get an occasional stare or two from diners and guests. I really like this hotel far its intimate setting, rustic setting, and traditional decor - more than the sister property, Raya Heritage. However bear in mind that the hotel also does not have any elevators so if you have bad knees try to ask for a hotel on the ground floor. I was assigned a room on the second floor and the steps can be quite steep - I actually have quite weak runners??? knees so I was able to feel the pressure on them climbing up and down and I had to hold onto the railing for support.

We stayed on a Friday and Saturday night - the hotel was quite busy, which was good to see. The room was spacious and beautifully furnished, in Lanna style. The resort setting is lush, with an ancient tamarind tree dominating a pleasant courtyard. The large outdoor pool centers another courtyard with the lobby on one side and the restaurant on the other. We had one dinner and two breakfasts in the restaurant and the food was exceptional. The location is in the heart of the old city... the Sunday Walking Street is the road directly in front of the entrance, and many temples and excellent shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance. The staff was outstanding, even considering the high standards expected at a quality Thai resort. This was definitely a 5-star experience and I highly recommend it.