And Zen there is The Chedi






Strategically located on the banks of the renowned Mae Ping River in central Chiang Mai, each of the resort's 84 Zen-like rooms are very cool—almost Japanese in spirit—and have open balconies, and peaceful views.





There are 52 Deluxe Rooms and 32 Chedi Club Suites.

I had a Club Suite. The Club Suites are twice the size of the Deluxe Rooms with large sitting areas for lounging and indoor dining.

A private courtyard entrance leads into a huge, open plan apartment with graceful fittings, Asian art pieces, and floorings of teak and terrazzo—I could stay here forever!

There was a swiveling flat screen HDTV…but all the channels are Low-D

The bathroom is concealed behind sliding doors.






The lighting details are exquisite. This is over the bathroom tub.

My large open balcony had a big daybed with a long view of the Ping River. It’s a neat place for morning coffee or an after-dinner night cap.






The site of the hotel is the compound of the former British Consulate in Chiang Mai, within which the main Consulate building, dating from the 1920’s, has been retained and restored as the main restaurant.

Traditional Northern Thai specialties, Pacific Rim cuisine, and innovative Indian culinary creations are complemented with an extensive wine list in this split-level Colonial house.

I think the food is among the best in Chiang Mai. I had delicious Kao Soi for lunch, and some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had.

The Indian chef is from Bombay and I enjoyed his special dishes on both evenings I stayed there.

The brochure says:
“The Chedi Club Lounge — Exclusive to Suite guests, this private lounge serves complimentary daily continental breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails, and canapés. The venue doubles up as a VIP area for check-in formalities.”

For me, breakfast in the Club Lounge was a non-starter…

25 minutes after I ordered, I was told the main dining room was very busy and that I might have to wait another half hour! I went back to my suite to have my coffee.

Note: the executive lounge was the exclusive domain for those of us VIPs occupying the executive suites and part of the justification for a considerably higher rate.

Back in my suite after the Club Lounge experience, I wanted some coffee. There was a very fancy espresso maker in the room but there were no instructions, and I didn’t have a clue how to make it work.

I did find an electric kettle but no instant coffee. I called room service for some coffee.

Half an hour later, a room service waiter arrived…empty handed.

“Let me show you how to use the machine: check Water, check Coffee, turn on Rinse, set to 55ml.” (!?!)

I said, “Actually, all I wanted was a pot of regular American coffee.”

“This is better tasting,” he said. (What happened to “The customer is always right?”)

And when the cycle was finished, what do you get? ½ demitasse cup!

The Moral of the Story—one swallow doesn’t make a summer…nor satisfies a regular coffee drinker!

THE SPA
The Spa offers a diverse range of healing traditions designed for ultimate relaxation. Its serene backdrop of scented gardens, water features, and quiet interiors make it especially attractive.

There is a relaxing area, 10 treatment rooms and suites, as well as a manicure/pedicure parlor.

In addition to the showers, fitted baths and steam rooms in each of the treatment facilities, 2 of the 5 Spa Suites include built-in saunas.

Offered are the Traditional Thai Massage, Warm Stone Massage, and The Chedi Massage. Other treatments on the extensive spa menu include body scrubs, wraps, herbal baths, facials and waxing.

The Bottom Line:

The best thing The Chedi has going for it is its General Manager, Ms. Eleanor Hardy. Eleanor is from Edinburgh, Scotland; she is friendly but discreet, very professional, and seems to be around every corner watching every detail.

Almost immediately after the resort’s grand opening at the beginning of 2006, the Mae Ping River flooded, inundating the basement and destroying much of the electrical equipment and store rooms. Eleanor and her team coped and reopened.

As Edward Carter’s Travels is respected as the first Internet travel “reality show,” I included the few niggles I encountered but actually, consider them as minor teething problems that have already disappeared.

The design is beautiful, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the staff is nearly faultless.

If you are looking for a sophisticated and sleekly elegant establishment within walking distance of the Night Market, The Chedi will meet your every expectation.

The Chedi, Chiang Mai
123 Charoenprathet Road
T. Changklan A. Maung
Chiang Mai 50100
Thailand

Telephone: (66) 53 253 333
Fax: (66) 53 253 352
e-mail: chedichiangmai@ghmhotels.com

Neighborhood: Riverside near the Night Market.

Deluxe Room approximately Bt11, 000 (US$300)
Club Suite approximately Bt16, 000 (US$430)

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