Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai
Hotel Class: 
5 Stars - 177 Opinions
33 Chang Klan Road, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
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97%
of people enjoy staying here
177 Opinions
- Excellent
- 100
- Very Good
- 17
- Average
- 8
- Poor
- 1
- Terrible
- 2
More about Chiang Mai
Photos
Elephant trekking
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Hui and Wen
Sleeping Buddha
Forum Posts
safety
by lifecoach
Hi all, I keep reading the reports of how Chaing Mai isn't a safe placce to travel to. I realize anything can happen at anytime, thus the warnings in Paris right now, but I would still like some insight on this. Although I wont be there till May, any suggestions or comments in this regards.
thanks
Re: safety
by GrumpyDiver
Really? We were there about 18 months ago and we felt perfectly safe - no issues with anything at all.
Let's not forget that the press tends to sensationalize and are great on the hyperbole when it comes to reporting. That being said, things can change over time...
Re: safety
by Gili_S
I wonder where you read it? Chiang Mai is rather safe, I'm not aware of any special warning for Chiang Mai. Maybe at night you have to be careful where you hang around in the dark, but I don't know a single city in the world without such warning.
Re: safety
by mim95
Not safe? In what ways? I've been there a few times in the past few years and I've never encountered any problems there.
Re: safety
by GrumpyDiver
I suspect some reporter figured out that Thaksin Shinawatra comes from Chiang Mai, hence it must be his power base and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) a.k.a. Red Shirts must be based there too. Having put two and two together (incorrectly, of course), the inescapable conclusion seems to be that Chiang Mai is dangerous
In fact, so far I have read, his base is in the rural areas more so than the urban. The protests have largely occurred in Bangkok and I don't remember anything happening in Chiang Mai. All of the people that I spoke with were more worried about the impact that the unrest would have on the tourism industry and the jobs that go with tourism.
Re: safety
by Odinnthor
Yes, I have heard the Red Shirt story before (recently), but have heard a number of times that Chaing Mai "is smack in the middle of the Golden Triangle blah blah....". Not really. Guilty by association is usually the media order of the day, who often are astoundingly misinformed.
Been there periodically since the 70s (the heyday of the Golden Triangle), and never had a problem for either my tour groups or personally. You should however exersize proper precautions, as you would anywhere else. You will be fine. Have fun.
Re: safety
by planxty
I have to agree with all the above. Although it is a while since I was there, I found it to be a safe place to travel, and I didn't feel concerned at all.
Take the usual precautions and you will be grand.
Re: safety
by lifecoach
Thanks everyone, I feel much better. FYI, I got the information from a government sight, there was a travel advisory for anything but essential travel listed for Chaing Mai, I believe it is lifted now but I just wanted to make sure by asking :-)
Re: safety
by GrumpyDiver
Look up your own country on any of the other English speaking country foreign department websites (US / UK / Australia / Canada) and you will wonder how you manage to survive because your own country has so many dangers.
Re: safety
by TravellingGugu
Please relax, I have been to Chiang Mai no less than than 8 times in 5 years, and I can surely say it's prefectly safe! Like anywhere in the world, you have to practise common sense (e.g dress down, don't flash your valuables, etc). U just have to avoid hanging around seedy places, which there aren't many in Chiang Mai.
Travel Tips for Chiang Mai
Accommdation rates
by bulldogtwo
Yeah, rates differ considerably. This is because it depends a great deal as to what web sites, tourist sites and operators can negotiate. They all negotiate different rates, obviously, some are better than thers. For the most part, the rate you see on the web are pretty good, look for tax, VAT and other fees attached to the rates you are checking out. I like the ones that tell you up front what the rates are, "inclusive" of what the fees are, but are few and far. Researching rates and places to stay takes time so be patient and keep searching. The time you spend researching normally pays off, and if nothing else you'll feel a bit more confident about going on your trip. Never feel bad about hearing someone else paying less than what you are paying, which often happens. With the web the way it is, you can't always find "the" cheapest, but usually it is with in only a couple of $$.
I should also mention that season depends gretaly on what you'll pay as well, high season versus low season.
Have fun
You will probably need this....
by Anita_Porec
Light luggage.
Extra bag for souvenirs. Light clothing.
Raincoat or umbrella. It rains....
Walking shows. Everything is pretty close....and the baazar is pretty big. You WILL walk a lot. Insect Repellent, for sure.
BUY tiger balm. I swear it cures everything. Polarizing lense - the skies get pretty freaky before the rain.
Also, something to cover up your equipment from the rain :))
TRIPOD. The baazar looks amaing at night and so do all the canals around the city centre. Towel. If you practise Yoga, no need to bring your mat unless you will do it on your own. All yoga studios provide everything you need.
Have a Foot massage
by easterntrekker about Night Market Foot Massage
We thought it was hilarious when we spotted the rows of people around the nightmarket area getting foot massages. There was quite a production!! They seemed to be enjoying it but I had to wonder on how sanitary it ws....a little too earthy for my tastes!!
Amazing duck noodle soup .
by hellsbellsbaby about Ground floor food court .
This food court was amazing , and so clean , offering at least 20 different vendors with a mouth watering selection at each . Once you'd bought your token then you were free to choose your meal from any of the units , they even had pictures or actual made up plates so you could see exactly what you were ordering . Lots of local dishes like deep fried noodles with brown gravy , don't be put off it was really tasty and filling . In 2 days I returned 3 times and don't think I spent over 100bht each time & that included a large beer . Have to say I was extremely impressed with duck noodle soup . For 35bht ( 40pence) I got a huge soup bowl full of roasted duck , noodles , spring greens covered in a fresh chicken broth . This was all made fresh as I stood there . The flavours were a sensation and I returned the next day for more of the same .
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
by yipsufen
Situated 15km from town, this is Chiang Mai's most famous and most visible landmark. Established in 1383 on the order of King Ku Na, this magnificent temple has become the
symbol of Chiang Mai and overlooks the city from its 1073m elevation on Doi Suthep. It commands an exhilarating view of the city and surrounding countryside. It is dominated by a golden Chedi which contains holy Buddha relics.
There's a naga (serpent) staircase leading up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The naga is shimmering under a clear sunny sky. Although a funicular railway now glides to the top, resist the urge to take it. Instead, accumulate a bit of merit for yourself by climbing the 290 steps to the summit. You will enjoy both sense of relief and accomplishment when you reach the top. Take a closer look at each and every one of the steps.
Buy a bunch of flowers with jossticks and candles at only THB20 for praying of good luck. Once you are inside the main temple compound, be careful while walking on the marble flooring while wearing socks as it is slippery. There's many Buddha of various sizes here. Hold the offerings that you have just bought and walk around the golden Chedi in clockwise direction for three times. Thereafter, go to one of the praying area to light up your candles and jossticks, offer the bouquet of flower to Buddha. Then you can ask for blessing from the Buddha. Later proceed to photograph the many angles of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where every angle is simply a nice frame for photo with the Golden Chedi and umbrella in the background. When the sun is hot, the golden Chedi and roof are all shimmering. There is a small doorway at one of the corner of the main temple compound. It can lead you to view the panoramic view of Chiang Mai city. At the side of temple compound, there are many bronze bells of different sizes. Ring the bells for good luck.
Admission Fees: THB30
Funicular Railway: THB20
Questions and Answers
Q: Weather in February "Hi Everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has been to Chiang Mai in February and what the weather is like there in mid Feb.. I wont..."
A: "I was there in March and it's (theoretically) Hot season. There are three seasons: cool, hot and rainy. The cool season is from Dec to end of February and you can wait..."
Read 7 Replies »
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Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort Chiang Mai
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
- Sofitel Chiang Mai
- Ratilanna Riverside Chiang Mai
- Ratilanna Riverside Hotel Chiang Mai
Address: 33 Chang Klan Road, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
