Bodhi Serene
The Bodhi Serene is located in the heart of Chiang Mai's oldcity and minutes away from the ever popular walking street. Surrounded by many ancient temples the boutique hotel is visually and architecturally stunning, designed in an exotic Lanna style with touches of Chinese influence. It provides a selection of 38 rooms, including a family suite, standard suites, executive and deluxe rooms, each overlooking the central courtyard area with its tropical garden and waterfall. Soft-opening special until 30th November: price starts from B6,500 for 2 nights in a deluxe room. Rates are inclusive of daily breakfast for two, service charge and tax.

110 Ratchaphakinai Road
Tel. 053 903900 Fax: 053 903901
Email: bodhi-serene@hotmail.com and www.bodhiserenehotel.com


Amiga
Amiga is the latest ladies' fashion store to hit Nimmanhaemin Road, stocking a vibrant collection of clothes, jewellery, cosmetics, shoes, belts and scarves from Thailand and other South East Asian destinations. Whether you're looking for casual wear, a party dress, or an elegant work outfit, Amiga has plenty of fabulous finds for you to choose from. The shop's select range of clothing is hot off the racks of Bangkok, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines, along with an array of unique high fashion accessories. Spice up your look with a pin-striped silk shirt in pastel shades or a chocolate brown wrap dress with lime trim, or put the finishing touches on your evening wear with the smoky sheen of a polished shell bracelet, a pair of sparkling diamante earrings or a crimson patent leather handbag.

Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tel. 053 226 404
Nimmanhaemin Road, next to Kasikorn Bank


Chiang Mai Spa & Bed
You may not be surprised to hear that our fair and dusty streets have been adorned with yet another spa. Chiang Mai Spa & Bed is actually one of most attractive spas in the city offering all sorts of treatments to rejuvenate and relax you. At Tadkham Village you can enjoy a spa in your bed with the 9 step Thai Herbal Facial Treatment, Body Scrub, Aromatic Hot Oil Massage, Foot Spa & Massage, Body Wrap, Aromatic Hot Oil Massage, Hand & Foot Spa, Manicure & Pedicure. Spa packages start at B2,000 per person and B3,400 for couples, including a standard room for one night, three hours of heavenly spa treatments, breakfast, transportation and Internet Wi-Fi. They offer a 50% discount on the 3.5 hrs and 4 hrs package for customers not staying overnight at the hotel.

Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Chiang Mai Spa & Bed, Tadkham Village, Nan Tha Ram, Tel. 084 6662786, 053 273779


Akaligo
Overlooking the plush colonial wing of the opulent Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Akaligo Mediterranean restaurant is a true epicurean experience. Chef Dominique has recently introduced a new menu which combines all that is fresh and organic in Chiang Mai with the finest international gourmet ingredients. Start with a fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese salad, then enjoy the heady aromas of the onion soup with gratinated gruyere cheese toast followed by a forest mushroom risotto in white truffle oil emulsion and end the meal at the fabulous dessert buffet…then why not finish the evening with a nightcap at the sexy Horn Bar next door?
Akaligo is also becoming the IN spot for Sunday brunches (880++ baht)…though make sure you book your table in advance.

Open American buffet breakfast 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., dinner a la carte 6 - 10 p.m. and
Sunday jazz brunch 11.30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 51/4 Chiang Mai- Sankampaeng Road
Tel. 053 888888 www.MandarinOriental.com/ChiangMai


St Germain des Pris
This chic, trendy yet casual little restaurant is akin to a Parisian bistro, serving quality French cuisine at very modest prices. While there is a fixed menu with such favourites as home made duck's liver terrine, skewer of king prawn and squid with garlic and parsley sauce and stuffed éclair, St Germain des Pris's French chef will constantly add new items to the menu and have regular highlighted dishes and promotions such as bouillabaisse, and because of the southern French influence, paella too! By the time you read this, their roof bar will hopefully be open so after a delicious French meal you can adjourn and lounge on the sofa beds with a cocktail in hand and watch the backpackers go by.

Open 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 6 p.m. - midnight (closed Mondays)
Tel. 053 289556-7
4/1 Ratwithi Road (a few dozen metres down from Moon Muang to the right)


Annex
Bibliophiles in Chiang Mai must all know of, and patronise, Chiang Mai's most extensive and excellent (second hand) bookshop in the city. Now that Gecko George has opened branches all over the city from Loy Kroh, Rachamankha to Chaiyaphum Roads, he is returning to his original location, Chang Moi Kao Road in his latest expansion efforts. Right opposite the original Gecko Books is a spanking new mirror-shop, the Annex, where there is simply more of everything: more books, more bargains, more popular paperbacks and more space in order to peruse and dip into them all. Check it out for all your reading pleasures.

Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
053 874066
Opposite the first branch of Gecko Books on Chang Moi Kao Rd.


Mon and Kurt's Restaurant and Guesthouse
Chiang Dao is quickly becoming a haven for many expats and tourists who find the changing face of Chiang Mai city just a little too hectic. This German/Thai owned restaurant serves a selection of dishes cooked to perfection - testament to this are the flock of Chiang Dao's foreign and Thai residents who dine here every night. The mushroom soup is delicious, as is their Russian borschtsch (beetroot) soup; the fraenkische bratwuerste (sausage) and wiener schnitzel are both highly recommended as well as being the pride of the German owner, Kurt. Mon, the Thai half of the restaurant, is a prize winning Thai cook who will surprise you at how she can rustle up Thai dishes you've had a hundred times before and make them taste just that bit better. They also serve a range of salads and desserts. As for the boozy elixir, well you are spoiled for choice: Erdinger, Weihenstephaner, Warsteiner imported beers as well as San Miguel and Beer Laos, red/white wines and spirits. Come here for a drive out into the sublime countryside or stay a few nights - Mon and Kurt have two guest rooms, both with ADSL connection and free coffee; they also have a small furnished traditional Thai house for rent (with all facilities) in a quiet area of Chiang Dao. Motorcycles available for daily rental. Restaurant, room and hire rates are extremely modest.

Open 11 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. Closed Wednesdays
78 Moo 15 Baan Don, Chiang Dao (take the Fang Rd. 107 out of Chiang Mai, through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and on to Chiang Dao. The restaurant is about 2.5 km past Chiang Dao town's 7/11)
Tel. 053 388011, 084 1739975 Email: monandkurt@yahoo.com


Charlie's Fish and Chips
Charlie hasn't gone quite as far as wrapping up your fish supper in old newspapers or adding deep fried pizza (healthy Scottish fish and chip shop treat!) to the menu, although he is offering delicious and authentic fish and chips. The fish is soft, succulent, wrapped in a batter that has obviously been prepared by a man who knows his stuff (Charlie's family had 10 chippies in the north west of England). The chips are British style: thick cut; the fish is boneless - sprinkle over a load of malt vinegar and serve with a portion of mushy peas and a slice of bread and butter and you are treated to either a blast from the past or a unfamiliar taste from the streets of the UK. At Charlie's they also serve other Brit favourites such as fat pork sausages, baked beans, eggs and some sandwiches, but come on, it's got to be fish and chips when you come here. They also serve beer, wine and spirits. Food is eat in or take away, though the premises is very basic.

Open noon - 8.30 p.m.
Kampangdin Soi 1 (you can enter the soi from either Tha Pae Soi 3 or from Loi Kroh Rd. where you turn down the soi just before you reach Loi Kroh temple, you will see Charlie's a hundred metres in.)
Tel. 086 9162418 (Call for orders)