Great value - excellent place to stay

I have stayed at Viangbua Mansion a number of times and each time it has been spot on. If you are looking for a hotel located in the tourist mecca close to Western style fast food outlets and major hotel chains, this is probably not the spot for you. However if you are looking for a value for money hotel with large comfortable rooms and pleasant airconditioning throughout, which is located in an authentic Thai environment, then this is the idea spot. The staff are pleasant and helpful, the rooms impeccably clean and with a separate sitting area where you can watch tv. The cable tv has about 10 channels, not extensive but enough to inform and entertain.The housekeeping staff are pleasant and approachable and go out of their way to ensure your stay is enjoyable. Within the lobby area there is a coffee shop/ bar with good well priced drinks, excellent friendly service where you can also read the complimentary daily newspapers and access the internet. Very close to the hotel is a Thai food market where you can buy all sorts of cooked and fresh foods (including a salad bar with crisp fresh lettuce). All this with Thai prices, rather than the tourist prices of the night bazaar area. There are also two 7 Eleven stores within easy access. The hotel is about 30 minutes walk from the Tapae Gate and night market areas which I did not find a problem. Breakfast is fairly standard for hotels in this price range but offers good variety. I also made use of the tredmill in the gym where there are also other machines on offer. There does not appear to be a swimming pool at the hotel but there is an undercover car park. Viangbua Mansion is a very good accommodation option in Chiang Mai particularly if you enjoy walking and exploring the local area.