The Rydges chain in Australia is known for buying up hotels in good locations but a bit long in the tooth, charging competitive rates, but milking the value of the hotel by minimizing repair and improvement, driving into the ground.

Golden Triangle Inn appears to be using the same strategy to make money.

The room is adequate in size and facilities, but floor not recently washed or dusted. The location is good - not far from the night market and bus station.

No desk in the room. No Internet, at first, but then they installed a router the morning of my departure. Room cleanliness inadequate, especially bathroom. Very worn furniture and fixtures. Cheap, inadequate free breakfast.

The first room I was offered, a few of the lights did not work. Very few outlets may explain it - previous guest may have unplugged the lamps to recharge his/her devices.

A big cockroach chose the bathroom floor, an obvious spot near the toilet, as his final resting place. The hotel has apparently decided to respect his final wish, as he is still there.

The nearby toilet has not been scrubbed recently - not filthy, but a grime line is visible when you flush. Water pressure for shower only marginally better than the inadequate showers in Luang Nam Tha, Laos.

I think housekeeping does no more than change the towels and linens.

I paid 650 baht/night. Inexpensive, but Chiang Rai should be a lot less expensive than Bangkok. Rough Guide 2007 says that hotels in CR tend to be overpriced for what they deliver, and this hotel is a case in point.

The CR Mall, across the street, did have free wifi (no code) and the signal did reach the hotel restaurant (which was totally empty in the evening, despite being open), or you could use it from a comfortable bench outside of the mall.

I found the management here indifferent, the rooms over two levels were quite spread out, with a garden of sorts, but it was when my neighbours arrived in the room next door, that I realised how noisy it was. Luckily they had an early night, so bring earplugs. For the price and location, with a light breakfast included, it was adequate. The bus station, Wats, and restaurants are all very close by. A good middle range choice, with lots of inexpensive or more expensive options, but little in this price range.

We stayed at the Golden Triangle Inn for 2 nights and enjoyed our stay. The rooms have AC and are clean. The beds are reasonable and the bathrooms have western style showers. In addition, it is walking distance to the night market and most of the Chiang Rai sights. Rates include breakfast and they have a travel agency that can book tours.

Though this place is indeed a little rundown, it is a reasonable place given price and location. We only spend 700B per night, which isn't a lot. In fact the rooms are clean, roomy and functional, the bed is alright, and the A/C functions. The bathroom was shabby but otherwise OK and clean. I have seen worse places for a lot more money.

Also the location is good, night market and main restaurant area within 5 minutes walking distance. Perhaps the poorest thing about this place was the breakfast.

It is build from a couple of square houses which contain eight rooms. The veranda of the upper rooms was a great place to relax. The walls are very thin, and noisy. Given the time of year, the hotel was hardly populated, but everyone seemed to be concentrated in one house. Normal speech did penetrate the walls.

I am quite happy about our choice to go there. I have nothing to compare in Chiang Rai, so I cannot say whether there would be a better choice. I would happily return to this place.