Last month when I was travelling in Chiang Rai, I have several people dm me and commented that the accommodation that I have chosen looks good and they are shocked to find out that it cost less than $100 per night. Yes, not only is Spinomad affordable, it is also stone throw away from the Old Bus Station, Clock Tower Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Saturday Night Walking Street as well as the Night Bazaar.
I booked my flight with Air Asia as it is the only airline that provides direct flight service from Singapore to Chiang Rai. I was quite blessed that the flight wasn’t very packed. So I can actually lie down and rest through the 3 hours flight and only wake up to have my inflight meal. Yes, the air ticket cost about $210 and it includes inflight meal and 20kg check-in luggage.
Although Chiang Rai airport is relatively small, you can buy your sim card, buy some souvenirs, rent a car or even get your currency exchange done. For Singaporeans, I would suggest that you change the money back home as the rate at The Arcade in Collyer Quay is slightly more favourable.
Being someone who is an internet addict, I want to whatsapp my loved ones once I reached Chiang Rai. Hence, I have booked online for my Wi-Fi router with Changi Recommends and collected it before I flew off. The 4G high speed internet access rental in Thailand for Changi Recommends cost $4 per day and I have perfect connection throughout my 7 days in Chiang Rai. Although it was stated that after 500mb, the internet access might be slower, I have not experience any of it during my trip. Return of the device is also very easily done as they have booths around the arrival hall once you clear the custom.
Besides bus and taxi services, you can also find grab car here in Chiang Rai. From Chiang Rai Airport to Spinomad, it cost $160 baht by taxi and $140 baht by grab. But I took taxi instead of Grab as I am worried that the Grab car might not be able to find me at the airport. After about 18 minutes, I reached Spinomad.
To my surprise, it looks exactly like how it was shown on Booking.com. On the left is the cafe and on the right is where rows of washers and dryers are. If you are looking at doing your laundry, it is $40 baht for washing and $60 baht for drying your clothes in the dryer. Do choose the correct washer with the right setting as there express wash and normal wash which takes about 1.5 hours.
Most of the accomodation are located on level 2 except for the standard double room with shared bathroom is on level one. Level one is also where the communal area is. One can watch tv or just chat with other travellers staying in Spinomad.
On level 2 is where 3 of the Deluxe Room with Balcony as well as the 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room and Mixed Dormitory Room are located.
Upon checking in with a key card, I was greeted with beautiful aesthetics. #homegoal!
It feels like a home away from home with laundry basket near the doorway, universal power points and very comfortable mattress and pillows.
There are also hair dryer, hair dryer, towels as well as kettle, coffee and tea provided. 
The bath is clean and spacious with shower gel, shampoo and hair conditioner provided. Usually I hate using the toiletries provided as they often leave my skin and hair feeling very dry. But the ones in Spinomad were great. They smell good and my hair also doesn’t entangle after using.
There is also a balcony where I can sit down and relax with a book. But as the weather in Chiang Rai was rather hot during the time of my visit, I was happy to stay in my room and slack instead.
Besides having a great location in the centre of Chiang Rai city, there are ample of parking in the evening if you are driving (I rented a car on my last 2 days and parked on the street without the car being stolen!). The only thing that I think might deter anyone from staying here is the noise from the traffic on the street but there are ear plugs provided. So overall, I feel that Spinomad was a bang for the buck and a nice place to stay in Chiang Rai.
Spinomad
596/1 Thanon Phayonyothin, Wiang Chiang Rai
57000 Chang Rai, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Tel: +66 90 328 1166
Email: Spinomadhostel@gmail.com
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