Just so you know, owners are not interested in short term rentals and ask for and get yearly rental contracts. Two months rental is paid when signing the rental and then the first months rental and subsequent months rentals when they are due. At time some owners even ask for a security deposit of 10k as they have a fully furnished condo and the 2 months deposit would not cover all the furniture and furnishings.

We have a steady stream of clients and have established contacts with owners who will rent to us for short terms as well as long terms knowing that our clients will take good care of the condo and that we will try to bring them as many clients as we can so that they do not suffer financially from the condo being vacant between rentals.

The short term condo's that we have available are in every way as good as the long term condo's. Most have kitchenettes with microwave, fridge, balcony, bathtub, a/c, tv with English movies and financial channels and even internet in your room.

These condo's are larger than a hotel room and offer more in terms of amenities including bottled water, juices, tea, and coffee. At times we add a dvd player and a dozen movies for our clients.

Most condo's in Chiang Mai are studio size and designed for 1-2 people. When we have clients requesting larger accommodations we find them up to 3 bedrooms in condo complexes and 3-6 bedrooms in private houses or villas.

The terms for long term rentals which is often 12 months are 2 months deposit and at times a security deposit of 10k and monthly rentals paid when due.

The tenant is reponsible for keeping the condo clean which is very easy to do and if you want many of the condo complexes have a maid service. Also the tenants can take their bed sheets to the laundry in the condo complex or have that included in the maid service.

Rental prices quoted normally do not include common area fee, cable tv, internet in room, water and power based on usage and often at the Government rates. During the year the average cost of all of the above for a studio size condo would add about 3k baht a month to the quoted monthly rental price. So something to keep in mind when you compare prices.

Most condo's in Chiang Mai are studio size and designed for 1-2 people. When we have clients requesting larger accommodations we find them up to 3 bedrooms in condo complexes and 3-6 bedrooms in private houses or villas.

When it comes down to Budget Accommodations in Chiang Mai there are apartments and there are apartments. One may be rundown and asking 4k a month and another may be new and nicer and asking 3k a month. Now 3-4k plus cable tv, plus water and power and internet will only bring you to 4.5-6k a month or around $150-200 US with everything included except for bed linens and towels and possibly tv and fridge depending on where you go.

If you want to save some money and yet have an opportunity to meet more young ladies then this is the way to go. Buy a scooter or rent a scooter as these apartments are usually 5-10 minute walk to main street and you may not want to do that late at night with many households having dogs for security.

We even recommend this type of accommodations for new clients but you know what they all seem to want something fancy and closer to the bars. Well, from most of these apartments you can jump on your motorbike and be at your favorite bar within 10 minutes.

Internet is available at almost all of these apartments and the rates are reasonable as are the rates for cable tv since WETV came into the picture.

The best apartments are booked solid and when a vacancy comes up you have to take it fast. We can book on behalf of our clients but deposits are needed as is the practise for all accommodations rentals in the city.

We get regular requests from visitors who tell us they want to buy a house here. Our reply is that you cannot own a house here in your name and only a condo you can purhase if it meets the ownership regulations.

So why do we show a house for sale on our website? Well, actually many farangs come here and meet a nice Thai lady and settle down long term with her and it is her choice to buy a house and they do. The house is in her name.

For a group of 3-6 this is ideal. Not only is the cost less than a hotel room but it also keeps everyone together, and you get the use of a private van, driver and maid.

Tour itineraries are custom created to suit your group by: http://www.chiangmai-grouptours.com and the cost of the tours is considerably less as a result of having a driver and van at your disposal.


To get a sampling of what is available and the prices visit:

For those people who are tired of the routine hotel accommodations and want to experience living in a hilltribe community in a private house with fantastic views and an opportunity to visit the elephant camp, Chiang Dao caves and even a local mountain temple and take photo's of the Lisu hilltribe in the everyday colorful dress then this is it. Voted Best Home Stay near Chiang Mai.

Relaxing stay combined with photo opportunities and home cooked meals.

There are all sorts of accommodations available in Chiang Mai.

Our rental tips would include the following:

* booking in advance especially during high season.

* try something different for a change and you may be pleasantly surprised

* be careful when you book over the internet as some accommodation websites have photo's that are dated and the real life accommodations are not what you think you will get according to the lovely photo's you viewed on the net

* for groups of 3+ try renting a house or a villa as the cost is less than a 4 star hotel and yet you get much more in terms of amenities

* you pay for a location closer to the bar areas but in our opinion it is easy and cheap to get around town so why pay more when you can get nice accomm. 5-10 minutes from Night Bazaar or the bar areas and save yourself enough to cover your entertainment costs

* book tours in advance as wandering around town and shopping prices from one small tour vendor to another is a waste of time and does not save you any money

* get accommodations with a fridge in your room as a chilled drink when you want is a pleasant treat