Galare Guest House, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Lonely Planet ReviewA well-managed place with spacious rooms, the Galare is popular with repeat visitors for its riverside location and proximity to both the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Mae Ping post office. A pleasant open-air cafe overlooks the river. Built on the site of one of Chiang Mai's first teakwood hostels (now long gone), the Galare is one of the oldest guesthouses in Chiang Mai, indeed one of the oldest outside of Bangkok. Owned and operated by the same family since it first opened in the 1980s, the guesthouse has retained an admirable consistency, even as the surrounding neighbourhood has grown busier. The 35 rooms in the tastefully designed, modern two-storey building are well maintained, and the knowledgeable staff are helpful with local travel info. Although all rooms have air-con, the windows can be opened, and table fans are available on request. The location puts guests within walking distance of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Mae Ping post office, riverside bars and clubs, and the Chiang Mai branch office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Review by author Joe Cummings