At Niman is the brainchild of Rachen Inthawong, chief designer at the Mandarin Oriental Dara Dhevi: the holy grail of design jobs in Thailand’s hospitality industry. No surprise then that his own quiet and beautiful little place, with just 10 guest rooms, should meet, as they say, the highest standards at an affordable price.
This ‘conceptual home’ - he disdains the word ‘boutique’ - combines an elevation that is part Udaipur, part Vienna Secession with other Indian elements like latticed walls and antique wooden doorways and lintels, plus fabrics, furniture and art from China, Nepal and Burma. ‘I mix and match,’ he says. Lovers of fine, subtly playful design will just want to hang around the hotel, and those who can tell one Thai ‘superstar’ from another will be impressed by their fellow guests. The location also sets At Niman apart. The area is home to the city’s trendiest bars, cafes and restaurants, hip galleries, and full of little shops selling funky arts and crafts well above the usual tat. Ideal for those who fancy themselves young and in a class of their own.
Highs
- The location: in the middle of Chiang Mai’s trendy, student-y area, At Niman offers a completely different perspective on Thailand
- The style: a masterpiece of discreetly playful taste, it will make you feel that all other boutique hotels are rather loud
- The quality: 5-star amenities for a 4-star price; it's good value for money as rates include transfers and minibar
- The concept: The owners hope to provide a home where their friends would feel comfortable and are as unobtrusive as possible; service is amazingly thoughtful, staff are lovely and speak English
Lows
- The location: first-time visitors will feel a bit far from the sights and tuk-tuks can be a devil to get hold of after dark. Rent a scooter
- The style: the place deliberately appeals to the select few. But the sheer comfort of the beds and the love that has gone into your surroundings may well compensate
- The… what? Like many creative people, the owner is impatient: things are constantly changing, the restaurant went and then came back, a living room/library may be about to appear…
Best time to go
You’re good to go all year round, though if you’re planning on serious sightseeing, then the cool season (December to February) is your best bet. March and April cook will you alive, and for much of the rest of the year remember the saying about mad dogs and Englishmen. The whole city gets booked up for Loy Krathong in November, the banana-float festival (with its colourful pageants), and Songkran (the Thai New Year with its water battles), in April.
- Stylish B&B
- 10 rooms
- Breakfast only (+other meals on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The lovely, airy rooms are categorised according to size, though each is individually designed with its own style and inspiration. You'll find austere Chinese touches in Jomfah 203 (Deluxe Room), voluptuous saffron drapes and recessed royal beds in the 2 Superior Rooms, and we loved the outdoor space in Srikhiriya 303, a Deluxe Room at the top of the building. Quite a few of the rooms have a love-nest feel to them, in the best possible taste. Walls are a clean white, with rich colour and texture provided by furniture and upholstery.
For added space guests can choose from the Suite, with its separate living room, or the Family Room which consists of 2 ensuite bedrooms (sleeps up to 4 people).
What they all have in common are soft oriental rugs and a romantic outdoor sitting area that can be curtained from prying eyes, with a love seat or cushioned bench or swing filled with silk pillows or a couple of chairs.
The Samsung flatscreen cathode-ray TVs are the only blight on otherwise perfect equipment. Needless to say, the WiFi signal is flawless, and free. Twin room are available, and bathrooms have an odd sit-down bathtub for small, flat people and some have a separate shower cubicle; aromatherapy candles are provided.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
- WiFi
Eating
Guest are given a simple breakfast, with options including eggs and bacon/ham, rice porridge, congee (freshly made), toast or French toast and sweet Thai dim sum, as well as fruit platters for all. This is prepared in the small kitchen on the second floor, next to the living room. Guests can use this facility as well.
You sit on the patio, weather permitting, at fashionable spindly iron tables among stylishly straggly plants, listening to the murmur of the water trickling into the little pool. The cups are miniscule.
The original restaurant area has been redesigned as a small lobby lounge; guests can receive meals on request and most dine on the second-floor terrace. Dishes are brought in from nearby establishments. Lunch could be fresh fish with grilled vegetables, salad with mangosteens or perhaps, the signature dish, Fettuccini Nam Puu (black fettuccini with Chiangmai crab paste). Feel free to order your favourite Thai meals - everything can be created for you.
The nearby streets are full of trendy cafes, stylish and cosy garden restaurants with romantic lighting - plenty to choose from.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- In the Area
- Shop in Nimmanhaeminda Soi 1 (the hotel is in Soi 9) for arts and crafts in shop after funky little shop, from ceramics to jewellery to good, pricey antiques
- Take the complimentary bicycles and cycle to the Old City, Art Museum, park or go shopping around the alleyways of Nimmanhaeminda
- Pamper yourself at a spa in the street or nearby: there are plenty to choose from
- Eat like a trendy young Thai, in one of the garden restaurants in the area, some with live bands
- If it all gets too sophisticated, drink amid the deafening noise of the teeming nightlife insanity next to Chiang Mai Polytechnic
Beyond - Visit the bustling Wat Ket community (or Wat Gate), which is worth a look and has a nice museum; Wat Chiang Man, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, is also worth seeing
- Take a tuk tuk to Chinatown, with steeply priced tat (wait till you get to Bangkok, where it’s half the money), a flower market and that interestingly stinky mess of pickles and dry goods which only Chinese people understand
- The Night Bazaar still offers the best selection of handicrafts, trinkets and pirated goods produced within a 50-mile radius
- Drive up to famous Doi Suthep temple for views over the city; or take tours further afield - ask about the range of options available
- Art classes, traditional dance and flower arrangements can be arranged on request
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
At Niman is not very well suited for children, although parents with babies or older children occasionally come to stay.
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
At Niman Conceptual Home is in the trendy shopping area around Nimmanhaeminda Rd, close to Chiang Mai university. Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand.
By Air
Chiang Mai (3km) can be reached by an internal flight from Bangkok (1 hour); and from several other cities in and around Thailand (Phuket, Luang Prabang, Yangon, Kunming, Chittagong). They also do a daily hop to nearby Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son (30 minutes). Click on the links below for more information and a list of airlines.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer - see Rates. You can also take an airport taxi or metered taxi to the hotel.
By Train
If you really enjoy train journeys, and/or you want to save money, there is a handy 'special express' sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (approx. 12 hours); but you will need to book a few days ahead (best done through your previous hotel). There are also daytime trains, including the 'Sprinter' from Bangkok to Chiang Mai station (approx. 11 hours), and then on by tuk-tuk (not rickshaw) to the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to Thailand (international flights) and getting around
Airports:
- Chiang Mai International 3.0 km CNX
Other:
- Beach 700.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km