Aruntara Riverside Boutique Hotel Chiang Mai

The Aruntara Riverside is a small resort with only 30 rooms and not many facilities. Its lack of a large pool or children's facilities, along with small rooms, may keep many families at bay. The vibe here is all about peace and quiet, as the hotel occupies a quiet niche alongside the Ping River. Couples, those seeking solitude, and visitors who want a quiet city stay will feel right at home here, as the garden along the river, which takes up most of the property, is a sleepy and relaxing hangout spot, perfect for sunny afternoon lounging.

The decor throughout is part British colonial, part northern Thai. The lobby has high ceilings and lots of beautiful dark woods; old-fashioned apothecary cabinets line the walls and shelves display jars of tea.

The Arunatara Riverside truly lives up to its name, as it sits right on the banks of the Ping River. In fact, the sun beds in the backyard of the hotel are right next to the languidly flowing Ping and a perfect place to relax. Additionally, the resort is in a quiet neighborhood, about a 25-minute walk or 10-minute bicycle ride from the downtown center of Chiang Mai. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the night markets. Chiang Mai International Airport is a 10-minute drive away.

The rooms here incorporate lots of gorgeous black teak, and have color schemes inspired by the elements. Deluxe Rooms (inspired by either water or wind) have soothing color schemes dominated by blues or creams, while Elephant and White Elephant Suites (inspired by earth and fire, respectively) have accents in oranges or browns. Space is ample -- Deluxe Rooms start at 40 square meters (430 square feet). Bathrooms all have separate soaking tubs and rainfall showers. Just note that the lack of strong overhead lighting can make the rooms feel a bit dim in the evenings, while the sunlight filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows during the day can feel too harsh. There are nicer rooms to be found in Chiang Mai for similar or lower prices.

All rooms do have long writing desks, as well as flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. The Elephant and White Elephant suites have large private balconies, some of which look out at the river.

The swimming pool is reasonably attractive, with dark mosaic tiling, lush green surrounds, and a wooden deck with cushioned loungers, but it has an awkward layout (only accessible from one end), little sun, and a small size that means it's better for dipping than swimming. Additionally, the spa is very basic with just one room (other Chiang Mai hotels in this price category have more elegant spa offerings). There is a small restaurant here serving Thai fusion cuisine, and the buffet-style breakfast -- which can be enjoyed by the river -- includes Western fare such as hot cooked-to-order egg dishes. However, during our visit, the restaurant was empty and the full breakfast wasn't offered due to a lack of guests. The main feature to enjoy here is the lovely riverside location, which guests can enjoy from the adjacent lawn and loungers. There is no fitness center, but the hotel offers free bicycles for going sightseeing around town.