Wow... this place is amazing... especially for the price!! As backpackers, we booked this place off hostelworld and were not expecting much seeing as we only payed aroun £8 a night or something like that! We initially booked to stay at Sivalai Place for 4 days, before moving on to Chiang Mai and the Thai islands. We actually ended up returning to Sivalai after our stay in Chiang Mai for a few extra days because of how nice it was!
Accommodation: More like a 4 star not a hostel!! Bedrooms are amazing, double beds, very comfy, spacious, air con (no extra cost either if i remember correctly), mini bar, and kitchen. The pool is huge, with plenty of sunbeds too. There is a tennis court, a gym, and a sauna! Internet also available!
Food: Food served at the hotel is amazing!! Try the chicken and cashews!! also very very good value for money,I think we worked it out to be about £2 for cooked evening meal and drink!! Also, you must try the fresh smoothies from the small shop on site too.... refreshing on the sweltering days!
Staff: Could not be more helpful. They organised our whole trip to Chiang Mai, and the islands, with no cost! They even allowed us to leave our main luggage at the hotel (in storage) whilst we travelled to Chiang Mai, so we could travel light! Ollie, the young girl, took us out a couple of times into Bangkok to show us the sights.... she is a lovely person. Also, book taxis through the hotel and you won't get ripped off.
Chiang Mai: We got the overnight train to Chiang Mai, and the overnight bus back to Bangkok... I think the train was about 11 hours and the bus was 13, or something like that.... very long anyway! I would choose the bus everytime as the train was awful, didn't get a wink of sleep and food was discusting! Travel 1st class on the bus (it's still ever so cheap!) and you get reclining chairs, TV, and regular stops to food places and loos!
Please note: I actually stayed here a few years ago now, but it wouldn't let me select a time as far back as this!