The Rim Chiang Mai Hotel (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

Peace and quiet reigns in this lovely setting, just inside the old city walls.

Rooms are very relaxed and welcoming. Facilities include, not just a refrigerator, but one that's stocked with free drinks and snacks! A really nice touch and much appreciated.

Everything is bigger and better than expected. Rooms are very spacious and the pool area is spot-on for relaxation. Members of staff might not know much English but they are extremely friendly and helpful.

Particularly in the restaurant, English speaking people are at a disadvantage as the language isn't understood. Still in the restaurant; breakfast is fine but dinner is borderline average, plus there's the problem of making yourself understood. *Speaking slowly and loudly has little effect!!

There is no lift, but there are several floors. *Inconvenient on a number of levels. The higher up you are, the quieter it becomes. Don't congratulate yourself too soon because lack of water pressure also means no shower at higher levels! There's some blatantly wasted space in the form of the top floor terrace restaurant. It could be such an attractive focal point for guests, but they just seem to have abandoned it. The hotel, itself, is a bit out on a limb. Walking time to any of the main attractions is about 15 minutes, although, there's never any shortage of ‘taxis' … or their equivalent.

Bathrooms are in dire need of re-decoration. Currently, walls are very scruffy. The air conditioning only works to cool things down. When the temperature drops, it can be absolutely freezing. Better fitting windows would also help.