Vanilla Place Guest House

The upbeat and welcoming Vanilla Place Guest House sits inside of a pastel five-story building, with ceramic ducks and potted flowers flanking the yellow entrance. A simple wood dining table serves as the front desk in the homey lobby, and the mishmash of colorful prints and dozens of trinkets creates a charming style bordering on kitsch. Vibrant yet mismatched colors plus wooden furniture fill the breakfast area, which also has a tube-style TV and a fish tank -- the vibe is almost living room-esque. Guests here are mostly couples and backpackers, though families stay on occasion as well.

The Vanilla Place Guest House is on a busy street in the heart of Chiang Mai near the Ping River. The Anusarn Market and walking street, with plenty of bars and food options, is five minutes from the hotel on foot, and the city's main Night Market is also a five-minute walk from the hotel. There are plenty of food, cheap goods, indie designer stalls, and even occasional Thai kickboxing matches at the Night Market. The Old City is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, also reachable by tuk-tuk or taxi in five minutes. Chiang Mai International Airport is 20 minutes away by car while Wat Doi Suthep, a famous hilltop temple, is 40 minutes away and is a spectacular place to watch the sunrise -- but be ready to climb lots of stairs!

Individually decorated rooms all have a basic style with bright accents, whether it’s the paint on the walls, the pillows, or the Thai artwork. Most rooms have teak hardwood floors and simple wooden furniture with classically Thai silhouettes. All rooms have air-conditioning and tube-style TVs, while some have balconies in addition to mini-fridges. Other rooms lack windows and pick up traffic noise at night. There are multiple room configurations available, including those for families, and a Honeymoon Suite, which has a four-poster bed, pink walls, and dark parquet floors. While the main rooms have a simple dose of homey charm, bathrooms are a bit of a let down. A strip of multicolored tile lines the dated en-suite bathrooms, most of which have windows and white pedestal sinks. Moving a white shower curtain through the middle of the room creates the showers, and toiletries are provided. We spotted a lot of dirty tilework in the bathrooms and the odor wasn't pleasant in some either.

The hotel serves a free light breakfast that consists of toast, cereal, juice, and coffee or tea. There is a computer in the breakfast room as well as a TV. Wi-Fi is free, but there is no on-site parking; street parking with a permit costs extra. The owner is available to arrange tours and provide area recommendations.