Recommended
I first learned of Studio 99 serviced apartments from an Aussie classmate in my Thai Language class. He said he had a blast when he stayed there during this year’s Songkran festival which is a very festive week long celebration for Thai new year. I tried to book a room for the day I arrived a few days before but they were booked. I exchanged a few emails with the manager named Supattra and managed to get a room for a single Saturday night for 500 baht less than the listed price. When I finally arrived to Studio 99 I was immediately impressed.
- Studio 99 Serviced Apartments
Location
Studio 99 serviced apartments are located very close to Chiang Mai’s old town’s moat in the center of Chiang Mai. It is a bit tricky to find if you’re not familiar with how the streets are organized in Chiang Mai and especially if you’re driving a motorcycle. It is located a few blocks from the last remaining section of the former brick wall which surrounded the moat but it’s a little more complicated than that.
There are one way streets on either side of Thae Phae Soi 3, the street which Studio 99 is located on. It confused me and it will confuse you that each street has numbered sois (streets) so if you’re on any other street and find a soi 3 you will not be on the right street. To make it simple, think from the gate. If you walk east (towards the river) from the gate, away from the walking market, past the Starbucks and Air Asia offices you will see Thae Phae Soi 3 on the right. Once you get to Soi 3 a narrow winding street you will see the sign for Studio 99 rather quickly.
Unlike the Montri Hotel which I stayed at the first night, the location of Studio 99 serviced apartment was very quiet. I could hear birds chirping and only once in a while did I hear a motorcycle zoom by or a car rev its engine in the neighborhood. The location is located right in between 2 of Chiang Mai’s most popular shopping attractions, the nightly night bazaar and the Sunday walking street market as you can see on the map below.
The Apartment
The apartment was 65 square meters with 2 balconies 1 which was covered, a fully stocked kitchen, nice bathroom and a walk in closet in the bedroom which was bigger than most hotel’s bathrooms. Furnishing the brand new hardwood floor apartment was a sectional leather couch, desk, entertainment center, dining room setup and more.
You can read more on the Studio 99 website. There isn’t much else to say other than Apartment number 4 at Studio 99 serviced apartments met and exceeded all my expectations of a night stay in Chiang Mai Thailand. You can view the entire layout on the video on the bottom of this post.
On Deck Number 1 Looking Through Bedroom to Living Room
Overall Impression
Studio 99 serviced apartments were very nice and felt like (even better than my) home. Throughout my travels I would rate Studio 99 serviced apartments in the top 5 places I ever stayed as far as the actual room (apartment) goes. The location was great, the facilities were brand new, clean, spacious and top notch. For 1500 baht ($45USD) a night, Studio 99 serviced apartments was a huge bargain. While spending 1500 baht on a giant, fully furnished apartment was probably overkill while traveling by myself, anyone traveling with a group and/or family would find Studio 99 optimal to feel like home while traveling.
