Mövenpick Suriwongse Chiang Mai — Hotel in Chiang Mai Province

Mixed review I’m afraid. We chose Mövenpick because we have used the same hotel chain in Bali and Bangkok and it has been great. We chose the one in Chiang Mai because of its location and it is a great location. When we arrived we were excited as the outside looked old and tired but the lobby looked as good as the other Movenpick hotels. On check in we were told we had twin single beds and had no breakfast included. We had to show our booking for a king room with breakfast included. They couldn’t change the room as they were full but we could have the breakfasts we had paid for. Then we got to the room. The first thing we noticed was the air conditioning unit that sounded like a small motorbike. The bathroom has a trip hazard that luckily I tripped on first time in the daylight. We spoke to reception who apologised and sent a technician. His solution was to turn the a/c unit off. The trip hazard was explained to us as to stop flooding from the bathroom that all rooms have. We accepted it and went out for dinner and when we returned the tv was set on an installation program and the button on the remote to get out of it didn’t work. Reception said they’d get it fixed in the morning. The technician again came in the morning and got the tv working but the buttons don’t all work on the remote so we can only go up in channels. A bit awkward but nothing could be done. Then we went to use the shower and the pressure is very low and the water is cold only. The technician came again and ran the water in the bathroom sink, the bath and the shower then made a phone call. Ten minutes later he said we have hot water. I asked if I have to do that every time and he laughed and left. We do have to run all taps for ten minutes to get the shower to warm up! Then we went to the pool and it was cloudy with chlorine and is in a visually unappealing area on level three between the two towers. This is NOT a five star hotel. I probably was once but it isn’t and our stay (we have another two days) is becoming a joke as we can only laugh. The fridge has no shelves and is housed in a cupboard with no doors so instead of replacing the doors the fridge has had wood laminate put on the fridge door. Also the plastic bin in the bathroom is broken and the light switches in the room don’t work and have been replaced by a panel by the beds which need a manual as it switches on and off lights, tv and everything so a wrong switch and another 5 minutes finding the tv channel with a broken remote. The staff say they can do nothing for us as there are no rooms to change us to as they say the hotel is full but I suspect that all rooms are the same as it is a very aged building. However I must point out that the staff are all very friendly and apologetic but I feel for them as it is obvious they are used to but fed up with dealing with problems and the young technicians run around to get things working under instructions on mobile telephones without fixing them. Instead of replacing the tv remote we’re shown how to scroll through 30 channels with one working button. Instead of fixing an obvious water problem we’re shown how to run bucket loads of water to get it warm. Instead of fixing a noisy a/c unit we’re told to switch it off. This is the standard of technicians they use. Expect nothing to improve. In my backpacking days I have stayed in better equipped hostels. At least they had hot water and working lights and tv. So if I was booking again I’d choose one of the other hotels in the area because we walk past them jealously. What I wouldn’t change is the area. Fantastic location with markets and shops and nightlife just...

Mövenpick Suriwongse Chiang Mai is located on Changklan Road, right next to the famous Night Bazaar. It is surrounded by many well-known five-star hotels and is close to Chiang Mai Old Town, which is full of local northern culture, traditions, and interesting attractions. Nearby, you’ll find ancient temples, local restaurants, walking streets, tourist spots, and dining areas.

This hotel is one of Chiang Mai’s oldest and most well-known hotels. In the past, it was called Suriwongse Hotel and was a popular place for important guests. Later, it became part of the ACCOR group and was rebranded as Mövenpick Suriwongse Chiang Mai Hotel. We stayed here for 2 days and 1 night because our travel plans focused on Chiang Mai Old Town, and the hotel is near the Chiang Mai Railway Station where we took a night train back to Bangkok.

When we arrived, the concierge and staff welcomed us warmly with polite service and smiles. The hotel lobby is spacious and grand, still keeping its classic charm. Our room was upgraded from a deluxe room to a junior suite, with an extra bed added since we were three guests. The room was large and had a front-facing view of the hotel. However, the design was quite old, making the lighting dim, and there were not enough power outlets. The bathroom was small and felt cramped compared to the room size. The bathtub was also small, making it difficult to fully soak, and the water drained too quickly due to a faulty stopper. Despite these minor issues, we had a comfortable stay and were happy with our choice of hotel.

In the afternoon, the hotel offered a "Chocolate Hour," a signature of Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts. There were chocolate fondue and a few other treats, which were nice for a short break and casual conversation.

In the evening, the hotel provided an "Evening Cocktail" for guests with lounge access or Platinum and Diamond memberships. This was available on the second floor, with both indoor and outdoor seating on the terrace. The drink menu included four special cocktails, along with red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, local beer, and soft drinks. There were also 2-3 snack options.

A staff member, Khun Tukta, warmly welcomed us with great service and a friendly smile, making us feel like we were meeting an old friend. We enjoyed the drinks while sharing our travel experiences. Khun Tukta and her team took great care of us, ensuring we had a wonderful time. The hotel also has a swimming pool and fitness center. Though both are small, they are enough for a quick workout during the trip.

Breakfast was served at Fueng Fah, the hotel's main restaurant. The décor maintained the classic feel of the hotel, which brought back nostalgic memories from past stays. The breakfast had a good variety and tasted great, but for the price and hotel level, the menu could be improved.

Summary: Mövenpick Suriwongse Chiang Mai is a good hotel with a great location near Chiang Mai Old Town and the Night Bazaar, perfect for those who enjoy lively nightlife. However, it may not be suitable for people looking for a quiet stay. Warorot Market (Kad Luang), which sells souvenirs and local food, is also nearby. The price is reasonable for the location, and the staff provides excellent service. If we visit Chiang Mai again, we would...

We were very impressed with the airport transfer service, this was the highlight of our stay. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience did not meet expectations.|The rooms we were initially allocated were dated and poorly designed, with a large step into a dark bathroom, which led to a stubbed toe injury. The curtains were thin and allowed significant light into the room, making sleep difficult, and the beds were extremely firm. Additionally, the power points did not work, meaning we were unable to charge our devices overnight. Noise levels were also high, further impacting sleep quality.|When we raised these concerns with reception and requested to move to a room without the hazardous step, we were told that all rooms were the same and that no move was possible. After a poor first night, we requested a refund and to check out early, but this was declined. It was also disappointing to find that the nightly rate of the hotel had halved since our original booking.|Interestingly, after further discussion, a manager did offer to relocate us to rooms without the step, contradicting what we had originally been told. We were rushed out of our original rooms while waiting for another to be prepared. These alternative rooms were slightly better, with darker curtains and working power points, though the beds remained uncomfortable.|Considering the high rate we paid, our Accor membership status, and the clear availability of rooms, we were left questioning why we were placed in the original substandard rooms. No welcome amenity for Accor members was provided, and there was no apology regarding the injury sustained in the bathroom.|At check-out, we were almost charged twice for the airport transfer, adding to the list of service issues. The buffet breakfast and chocolate hour were of poor quality, not meeting the standard expected of a Movenpick Hotel. |On a positive note, the location is convenient, and the tour desk provided excellent service, though it appears to be an external provider, not managed by the hotel.|Overall, this was a disappointing stay, and we would not choose to return given the many other hotel options...