Travel Agent - September 10, 2007 - (Page 26)

Destinations Pacific/Asia Although there’s plenty to do in Chiang Mai, deciding where to stay might prove to be the most challenging decision. For those looking to stay in the heart of the action, a good choice is the brand-new D2hotel Chiang Mai (www.d2hotels.com; +66-2-636-3333), in the center of Chiang Mai city, right next to the Night Bazaar. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this funky hotel is targeting the 30-45 age group. Details like the bright colors (orange is the theme found throughout the hotel) and its “changing of the shift” dance (à la the changing of the guard in London: When the secondshift staff comes on duty, there’s a dance to relieve the old staff and welcome the new) come across as creative and innovative. The staff takes singing and dancing lessons and the overall feel of the hotel is young, fun and vibrant. The minimalist modern design will appeal to anyone looking for something different. Eat at the Moxie restaurant, a wonderful mix of Asian and international fare, and have a drink at the Mix Bar, where chic locals and foreign tourists interact. Book clients in one of the suites on the club-level floor: The spacious rooms have a separate shower and bath and plenty of space for relaxation. Free Internet, cocktails and a private concierge are available on the club floors. The D’suite room is the perfect choice for large families, as its two interconnecting suites allow for plenty of space. D2hotel pays 10 percent commission. Contact General Manager Somock Inthavong (somock@dusit.com). For a more traditional and quiet hotel, the Sofitel Riverside Chiang Mai (www. sofitel.com; +66-5-399-9333), a luxury boutique hotel with a peaceful riverside location, is a good fit. The newly opened property (the soft opening was in March 2007) has 75 bedrooms on four floors. Book one of the 17 deluxe suites, which offer a private balcony, Jacuzzi with built-in LCD TV, separate rain shower and dressing room area, living room with junior home theater set and separate dining room and bedroom. The two Penthouse suites can be Continued on page 28 Chiang Mai: Hotspot of Northern Thailand Many properties have opened there recently C BY J. BERNHARDT hiang Mai is quickly becoming the hotel mecca of Thailand. In the past several years, a crop of diverse hotels has opened, including the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, the five-star Sofitel Riverside, the hipster boutique D2hotel and the creative and moderately priced Fondcome Village. Chiang Mai is known as the “Rose of the North,” and for good reason. This is the place to visit temples (more than 1,300 in the Chiang Mai region alone), ride elephants through the jungle at the National Elephant Institute, go on amazing hiking treks and visit the hill tribe people. If you plan to shop in Thailand, save your money for Chiang Mai. This is where many of the beautiful handcrafted silks, handicrafts and clothing seen around the country is designed and made. A must for shoppers is the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road between Tha Pae and Loi Kroa roads. There are literally hundreds of vendors from 6 to 11 p.m. each night. Resources Thai Airways offers daily flights to Bangkok from New York and LA; Chiang Mai is a short one-hour flight from Bangkok. Visit www.thaiairways.com or call 800426-5204. Commission is 5 percent on domestic flights within Thailand; 15 percent for business and 13 percent for economy on international flights. For more information on Thailand, contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at 800-842-4526 or go to www.tourismthailand.org. For escorted tours within Thailand, contact Chintana Suwawan (info@window ofthailand.com), managing director of Window of Thailand (www.windowof thailand.com). Request Chintana as your guide—her knowledge of the culture, history and food of Thailand is unsurpassed. She arranges transfers, tours and hotel stays for groups of all sizes. Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi’s Colonial Pool 26 TravelAgent September 10, 2007 http://www.d2hotels.com http://www.sofitel.com http://www.sofitel.com http://www.thaiairways.com http://www.tourismthailand.org http://www.windowofthailand.com http://www.windowofthailand.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 10, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week South America Rising: COVER STORY EUROPE: Undiscovered Croatia PACIFIC/ASIA: Chiang Mai: Hotspot of Northern Thailand LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas’ Inside Man Las Vegas News & Notes Las Vegas: The New Frontier PACIFIC NORTHWEST: A Gem on Oregon’s Central Coast FLORIDA: Hyatt Regency Miami Spruces Up Ensemble Update Agent Outlook: Cruising Today Nantucket Island Resorts Classified Marketplace Home-Based Travel Expo Update Advertisers’ Information People & Places Thailand Planner

Travel Agent - September 10, 2007

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