Edward Carter's TRAVELS: Northern Thailand—an Oriental Overture with Golden Triangle and Brass Gong.

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Some of us like to splurge on a wonderful resort or hotel room in an establishment with fabulous (and fabulously costly) features. Others of us like to save that money to spend on restaurants or shopping. If you fall into the latter category, here is a lovely guest house that will cosset you with care and be very gentle on your budget at the same time.

MINICOST APARTMENT & GUEST HOUSE

Taxis are often hard to come by in Chiang Mai. I asked the doorman of D2 to get one for me...he explained that most of the taxis wait at the airport and it would take about 15 minutes for one to get here. So for an exorbitant fee, I chartered the hotel’s (white!) London taxicab for my ride to my next hostelry. (I do miss London cabs, originally designed so one can wear a silk topper inside without bumping the roof.)

I must admit feeling a bit silly arriving so grandly at what I believed would be not much more than a “back-packers” guest house. My misgivings were misplaced--completed early this year, the place was modern, completely equipped, and the welcome was hearty and genuine.

Orapin & Laurie Simmons (she’s Thai, he’s Australian) recently moved to Chiang Mai after 15 years in Australia. Laurie used to be a government body guard…he knows how to look after guests! Having lived abroad, the Simmons put a lot of thought into the layout and design, and built Mini Cost Guest House to international standards.

As I checked in, Laurie introduced me to some of his guests: a university professor, a businessman, an attractive Belgian couple who came to visit the hill tribes, two ladies from California – “The antiquing here is the best in the world.” So much for back packers, but whoever the guests and no matter if they carry their belongings in bag, sack, or pack, all receive a warm welcome and homey hospitality.

The rooms are tastefully decorated and include: air conditioning, hot water, telephone services, a fridge, quality linen and pillows, free wireless internet, inner-spring beds, room safes, and lounge chairs and table. Every room also has international cable television including BBC, movie channels, HBO, world sport, Japan World, Korean Television, and Thai channels as well.

My room had a view of Doi Suthep. There was crown molding around the ceiling (a rare, elegant detail in most 4-star hotels, let alone a guest house!), recessed downlights, built-in closet, a nice desk, and luggage rack. Everything was brand new, even the air conditioner had a remote control, and the floors were attractively tiled throughout. I appreciated the good fixtures in the bathroom. When I was growing up my grandmother used to say, “If it’s worth doing, its worth doing well,” and the Simmons have certainly done just that.

[SIDEBAR: As in many Thai hostelries and home, the bathroom doubles as a loo and shower. In other words, there’s no separate enclosure for either.

Americans used to joke about French bidets, and I’m sure many don’t understand why there’s a hose with a spray handle hanging next to toilets in Thailand.

Thai plumbing leaves a lot to be desired—the drains and sewers are of very small diameter. When I was installing the plumbing in my home in the wilds of the Isaan countryside, the whole village gawked when the septic tank was delivered—they’d never seen one before!

But on the wall of my bathroom at Mini Cost there were well written, polite instructions on how to use spray and why one only used toilet paper for drying. Therefore, as the paper doesn’t get soiled, it goes in the sanitary, covered bin, and never down the toilet.

Bathrooms in all the modern condos in Thailand promote this feature, and once you try it, you’ll never be comfortable with less sanitary situations again. If your bathroom doesn’t come so equipped, buy a “T” from your local plumbing supply store. The bottom of the “T” goes on the existing toilet tank supply pipe, one arm feeds the tank, and the hose with spray goes on the other arm of the “T.”

I bet you never thought you’d get a lesson in sanitation in these pages, but anyway, even if you still don’t “get it,” your maid will love being able to hose out all the corners of the bathroom.]

Mini Cost also offers an Internet cafe, restaurant, massage centre, an in-house laundry (a hot-water, clothes washing machine that’s a boon for the whole neighborhood!), motorbike, car and bicycle rental, and a free tourist information center with free tour booking service. Much more unusual and an example of the owners’ genuine concern for their guest’s comfort is that entry is only possible with a security swipe-card, and there is CCTV security camera security, augmented by an after hours security officer.

How mini is the cost? Standard Rooms are Bt500 (approximately US$14) per night, Deluxe Rooms are Bt800, and Superior Rooms are Bt990. An extra bed is 200 Baht per night. That’s pretty mini in anyone’s book, and amazing value for a place that’s spanking new with such spacious rooms, good facilities, and caring management. (Very caring management: Laurie gives back to the community by doing volunteer work with the Tourist Police who are always ready to help a tourist in need.)

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a quiet location in the heart of the old city, a new, modern establishment that offers value for money, and owners who become real friends almost immediately, this is the place for you.

Mini Cost Apartment and Guest House
19-19/4 Rachadamnoen Rd. Soi 1, Tha Pae Gate, T.Sriphum, Chiangmai 50200
Tel :053-418787-8
Fax: 053-418786
Email: orapinsimmons@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.minicostcm.com

A note from their website: "Please be advised that many transport drivers will attempt to take you to one of their friend’s accommodation. Usually they are paid a high commission and you pay inflated rates. Please don't fall for that trick."

Good advice; experienced travellers are always careful…all over the world.

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