Lanna Mantra Hotel, Chiang Mai

Booked this hotel and was pleased to be picked up at the Airport with a man holding a sign with my name. But had to pay for travel back to the Airport for 200baht. The staff were nice and friendly, and the rooms was comfortable with a nice view. Just too far from town and easy to get lost if you drive yourself in a hirecar or motorbike. All up a nice place with good priced food and garden atmosphere around the hotel. VERY QUIET location.

Upon arrival I had a positive impression of the hotel and its grounds and a negative impression of the staff. Both impressions were confirmed over the next three days. The staff on my arrival day were unsupervised by a manager. I was told the manager was in Bangkok and the "deputy manager' wouldn't arrive until the next day. Consequently the staff members were engrossed in a English League football game on TV and in personal phone calls. It was if the guests were an afterthought. The rooms are very comfortable, almost like a small suite and somebody is doing a good job keeping up the grounds. The wifi in my room was fitful and after the first day quit working altogether. Somebody did show up to take a look but nothing came of it. The wifi did work near the pool and in their restaurant. On the second day, no one showed up to cook breakfast. The staff member present at the time told me she was sorry. That was an ongoing refrain with her. Actually missing their breakfast was no great loss. It's the all too common single runny egg and a sorry looking hot dog. It's impossible to catch a tuk tuk from the busy street in from of the Mantra. You have to order one or book the hotel's car. Actually, I had no problem getting tuk tuks to bring me back in the evenings- and at reasonable rates since it was low season. The hotel is a inconvenient distance from town but still in a fairly populated area. During the day the dining area can get loud from street noise but the area along the river stays quiet. I think the deputy manager did show up later in my stay and the haphazard manner of the staff wasn't so obvious. I think the problems I experienced are due to the hit and miss qualities of a "boutique" hotel. Right now, 'boutique" is a favorite word in Thailand.