I was a bit concerned when we first arrived as the area surrounding the Golden Cupids Hotel is not quite what we had expected. However, we were greeted so warmly by the staff and owner and our children quickly had fun exploring the pool and playing with other children (the owner has bikes she lets the children use in the driveway). I agree with the other reviews - the service was phenomenal (great food at reasonable prices, free and fast wireless internet, free transport to the airport (wow!), and help with scheduling taxi services and daily trips). I also agree that the rooms were spacious and very clean, but you could also hear everything from the other rooms (and bathrooms). The only reason that we gave this a 4 instead of a 5 is that you need to have transportation to see any of the sites (usually a 30-45 minute drive) and you could hear people in other rooms.

There is a reason why Golden Cupids is rated No. 1 among the hotels in Chiang Mai. Because it is simply the best. The hotel, its ambience, its owners and even other guests make you feel it's just one big family. From customized food to taking care of your every comfort, Golden Cupids really impressed us. Now, for the details.

The service of Golden Cupids staff (Peppet and her daughters) begun even as we were making our reservations. Their friendliness was exemplary. As a family of five (that included two kids and my aged Mother-in-law, apart from my husband, and me) we landed at Chiang Mai airport, and Peppet had sent her driver to receive us (Free of cost. It's mentionable as no other hotel offered such service, and if they did, they did so at a high cost.) The hotel is about 45 minutes away from the heart of the city. Although away from the city, it is ideally located for all tourist destinations.

The room was great with three queen-sized beds that fit all of us quite comfortably. It also came with a mini refrigerator and kettle and tea and coffee sachets.

Now, my kids and I are vegetarian and I had booked this hotel because I was assured that vegetarian food would be available. At every meal, we were treated to a sumptuous, customized vegetarian fare. And at every meal, Peppet would personally ask about our needs and help decide our outdoor plans too. Breakfast was always a simple menu, but one that I wouldn’t mind eating for the rest of my life (if only those extra kilos didn't add!) When you are there please don't miss on the 'Banana Pancakes'. It's just divine. For lunch don't miss on the simple "Rice noodles and Thai Green curry'. Peppet is so obliging that when I asked where I could get spices for the Thai curry, she actually gave some from her pantry. The kids loved their ‘Spaghetti with red sauce’ so much that they had the same for every meal and still wanted more.

Because it is a very small hotel, you invariably get to know almost all the guests, and lunch and dinner becomes like one big family gathering.

There are cycles kept, which you can use (again at free of cost. No rent.) My older son who had made friends with other children there was always cycling with them whenever we were not going out. In fact, all of us went out for a long cycling down the road to see the paddy fields and all. If you are there use the cycles. It's fun.


And, please ask for the Thai massage given there. The lady who gave me the massage (sorry I forgot her name) was superb. It's worth every penny.

Now if there is one negative point I have to say about this hotel, it is that the hotel runs on solar power. So hot water in the bathroom almost became a luxury. In our 5-day stay there, we missed a couple of baths, because water was never hot enough. May be in summer, things would be different.

But, it was such a miniscule thing that all of us were willing to forget that, including my MIL. So much so that if we ever decide to visit Chiang Mai again, there's only one place we will stay and that is in Golden Cupids, a home away from home.

After several nights at the Peninsula in Bangkok the very basic rooms with worn blankets and spartan bathrooms were a bit of a shock but that initial disappointment evaporated as soon as we met Pepe the wonderful woman who owns and runs Golden Cupids. She and her amazing staff prepared amazing meals in their open air kitchen and every breakfast, lunch and dinner we had was incredible. The best part of our entire time in Thailand was getting up early one morning, loading into Pepe's van with my husband and the other couple we were traveling with and going to the local market with Pepe. We shopped all morning, sampling, taking pictures, meeting local farmers and then came back to the inn and had a hands on cooking lesson in the kitchen. We each prepared one dish and that was our lunch. It was a foodie dream come true. You will be well cared for and get service like you have never experienced, all for an incredible price.

Golden Cupids was such a great find! We just checked out today and wishing we didn't have to leave. Family owned and operated led by the matriarch of the family, Pepe. My wife and I have travelled all over the world and try to stay at small boutique hotels whenever possible and Golden Cupids differentiator is not that it's chic or contemporary, but that the owners make you feel so welcome and at home. Many other posts reference this same thing and it's very true. My brother, who was traveling with us, commented that "Pepe is like the mom we wish we had."

Although the hotel is about 20 minutes outside of Chiang Mai city center, the staff will make sure you get to where you want to go. One morning Pepe even personally drove us into the Old City herself. Also, many of the best attractions in Chiang Mai are outside of the city center anyway. I rated the location a "3" but was not an inconvenience in any way, shape, or form.

Another story to their credit: after we checked out of the hotel and were at the airport, I realized I had left my mobile phone at the hotel. I called and talked to Jan, one of Pepe's daughters. She immediately got in the car and drove to the airport with my phone (and had a smile on her face when she got there). Service like that doesn't happen very much in this world anymore.

This is a very family friendly property and most of the guests we met and saw had children. Pepe's grandchildren, ages 8 and 3, were right in the mix playing with all the other kids and it was fun to see.

There is a lot of love at this place and hopefully we will be back soon.