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.
- Golden Triangle Hotel
