Green Tiger House

Green Tiger Vegetarian House is a popular, yet relaxed guest house that primarily attracts budget travelers and backpackers. There's a large open-air restaurant and common area filled with plants and cushioned chairs on the ground floor. The space features an outdoor section with a red-brick floor and wooden tables and chairs, while the bar space has more rattan seats and a tiled floor. There are plenty of potted plants and trees to give it a garden feel, and the free tea, coffee, and toast stations set up all day and night keep the area a busy all day long. Farther back by the front desk is a bookshelf, a few brochure racks, a refrigerator full of beer and soft drinks, and a small souvenir shelf selling embroidered ethnic hill-tribe cushions and other northern Thailand souvenirs. There's also a terrace offering great views of the surrounding mountains and roofs of old town Chiang Mai, and it's a comfy spot to watch the sunset, and it also excellent views of the neighboring Wat Monthian Temple. 

Green Tiger Vegetarian House is located in a small lane toward the northern edge of the historic old city of Chiang Mai, which is sectioned off from the modern city by a moat. It's a fantastic location, surrounded by traditional homes and narrow atmospheric alleyways with limited traffic. The heart of the old city, which features a mix of temples and craft markets, is all within a 10-minute walk. This includes Wat Phra Singh, the most famous of the old city's temples. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The airport is 15 minutes away by car, and the night bazaar and downtown are about 10 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk. Trendy Nimmanhaemin Road is likewise a 10-minute drive, while the railway station and main bus terminal are also a 15- to 20-minute drive away.

There are 32 rooms at Green Tiger Vegetarian House, all of them modern and clean, with red tile floors and luxury bedding with cushions covered in ethnic hill tribe embroidery from the north of Thailand. Artsy wooden lampshades, wooden desks, and handcrafted wood mirror frames lend a bit of polish, but at core the style is simple and straightforward, and the white walls are mostly bare. 

Rooms feature modern conveniences such as flat-screen televisions, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and electronic safes, but there are no electric kettles. The hotel uses energy-saving LED lights in the rooms and refillable soap and shampoo bottles, and uses solar panels to heat hot water. Bathrooms are simple, with glassed-off shower areas and pedestal sinks, but virtually no counter space beyond tiny ledges under the bathroom mirrors. Towels and toiletries are provided. 

Both private rooms and dormitories with four or eight beds are available. Entry-level Small Doubles have one double bed each, while Standard Rooms are larger and some have balconies. The best rooms by far are those in the Superior category; these have large windows and furnished balconies with views of Doi Suthep and the surrounding mountains. 

The Green Tiger's biggest draw is its large vegetarian restaurant, which takes up most of the space downstairs, running from the front door all the way back to the reception desk. Wooden tables and chairs are set up throughout the space, and it's an easy place to meet other travelers. The restaurant serves up outstanding vegetarian fare made with local organic produce, and there's a wide variety of both Western and Asian offerings on the menu. Breakfast is included in room rates (for those staying in private rooms) and includes fruit smoothies, muesli, and stuffed omelettes. The guesthouse also has free tea, coffee, and toast available all day, both in the restaurant and upstairs on the terrace.

There's also a small, simple swimming pool in the back with a few lounge chairs, and bicycle and motor-scooter rentals are available. While the hotel really is not set up for those who have their own vehicles, there is a dirt lot just down the street that can fit a few cars. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.