The property itself is lovely. The staff are not up to Relais & Chateaux standards. I felt pressured by the receptionist to book a trip to a silk factory through her, as well as a trip to a gem store...and "shhh don't say anything to anyone". I actually went out of my way to avoid walking past the office so I wasn't "stalked" by her. She actually found me in the library after I'd checked in...The driver quoted one price for a 4 hour driver package, and when I wanted to book, it was about $15 more. The next time I booked another 4 hour drive, I was quoted one price and billed another. This is not what you expect from a 4 star property, much less a Relais property. Also getting hot water in the shower required a 5 minute prep exercise, and the property itself is out of the way...

This is far and away the most beautiful hotel I stayed in over 3 weeks in south east asia; it was also the least expensive, and this tells you something about the way the hotel is run. Clealy it's a labour of love, designed by a Thai architect and interior designer who live in a house within the hotel grounds. We met them at a bizarre and lovely garden party they hosted with a string quartet, flowing champagne, and assorted glamorous Thais flitting about the place. They built the hotel as somewhere beatiful for them to live, and I suppose renting out the rooms pays for their own home. Little touches: a wood-panelled library full of architecture books, with a large decanter of cognac from which you can help yourself, totally free. Orchids in the rooms. A small museum of their collection of Burmese and Thai antiquities. A pavillion in the grounds where the front desk staff sit: there are 2 on duty at all times (for a hotel with 20 rooms!) because if there was only one, they'd be concealed behind a pillar: so there are 2 to preserve the symmetry. And the overall aesthetic is exquisite - a series of open courtyards flowing into each other, designed in the style of a Chinese temple; simple, small bedrooms without any needless fuss; a beautiful sunny pool with a massage pavilion at the end. It isn't quite perfect. As other reviewers have said, the beds are rock hard and the pillows thin and cheap, and breakfast isn't great. But these are minor faults. Put it this way: if an Aman resort is half as beautiful as this, then it'd be worth the crazy price tag they charge. That this hotel costs around ?85 per night is just a miracle. You should go at once before the owners see sense and quadruple the price.

As our taxi pulled into the courtyard in the moated old city at Rachamankha in Chiang Mai, we were greeted by red and white banners flapping. We stepped into the hotel and suddenly we were transported to 18th Century China or Thailand. Our room was elegant, yet sparse. No extraneous goo-gahs. Wireless access. The hotel has a number of public areas: a library and outdoor sitting room, a pool area, that led themselves to quiet. It's just steps away from a Wat where some 700 monks live and are trained and also from a lovely private spa. Breakfast was included and was more than adequate, although not spectacular. Dinner is also served, but we never dined there. The staff was helpful and courteous, although like most Thais ,their English skills weren't great and our Thai was significantly less than great.

The Rachamankha has won several design awards, and rightfully so: the attention to detail and proportions make this place a delight. It should be noted though that even comfort is sacrificed to the aesthetic cohesiveness of the decor, so anyone looking for five star comfort may end up being a little disappointed. For example, the rooms are furnished with antique furniture and no comprimises are made. Having said that, staying at the Rachamankha was a very special "Thai" travel experience which is exactly what many people are looking for! There are lots of places with top comfort but not many design gems like the Rachamankha.

Excellant, very clean and beautiful spot to stay in Chiang Mai - although hard to find. Restaurant is very nice but rather overpriced for dinner.