Not very close to the action but a better deal than you're going to get in the centre of the city. And still walking distance. Only time we ever used taxis was to get back late at night. Rooms were big and clean with all the amenities (fridge, tv, etc). Despite its location north of the old city, there are a number of nice restaurants and bars located directly adjacent to Viangbua Mansion including the Spirit House, one of the best restaurants we ate at during our trip.
Stayed at Viangbua for two months - April to May 2012. Excellent serviced apartment and house staff were very willing to supply a fan and a mattress topper at no charge. Desk staff very friendly and helpful, even translating a Customs document from Thai to English gratis. Nice restaurant and coffee shop on site. Would recommend for a long or short stay.
We took the Superior room and it was spacious and comfortable for 3 adults ( one bed added ). Overall the apartment is clean, the bed is comfortable.
The location is superb, it only takes about 10 minutes to the town & nearby market, e.g. Anusarn Night Market. Public transport - Taxi & Tut Tut is available just a few minutes walk to the main road. If you are lucky, sometimes, there is taxi waiting outside the apartment.
Behind the apartment, there is a small market with bakery shop, about 10 min walk.
Near by shopping mall include 'Kad Suan Kaew" - only 10 min drive via Taxi. We pay average 100 batt for trip to downtown via Taxi to most locaton.
Recommended restaurant: Cafe De Nimman (Nimmanhaemin road ), Walamun (Chang Moi Road), which are only 10 min taxi drive to the restaurant.
Highly recommended place to stay for those who wants some local flavour, as the airport taxi was telling us that many locals staying nearby. We also noticed many foreigners staying here.
Staff are friendly, they provide simple breakfast but I don't quite like it, the rice soup doesn't meet my taste. WIFI connection superb.
My husband and I stayed at Viangbua Mansions for 3 months, from December 2011. We were delighted with the accommodation as well as the service that they provided during that time. Our apartment was very comfortable and spacious. The beds can be a little hard - as it is in most of Thailand - but just ask for a mattress pad and that makes a big difference.
I cannot say enough about the kindness and helpfullness of the staff, headed by the Manager Khun 'A', who, when we first arrived, actually went out of her way to show us around the market area, explaining about the many stalls that might be useful for us. I thought this went way beyond the call of duty and was truly impressed. They ensured that we were supplied with anything that we needed to make our stay more comfortable - even a vase to put flowers in when room service noticed that I had used a cut out water bottle as substitute. As this was our first trip to Thailand, naturally we needed a lot of guidance and we found the reception staff was more than helpful, trying to accommodate our many questions.
The restaurant served delicious food at great prices.
Viangbua Mansions is a little way out of the city, but in my opinion, it does not lack for the necessities that's needed for a longstay vacation. When we wanted to go into the city, it was a short walk to the main road where Songteaws can easily be found, and in 10 minutes we were in the middle of town. We actually walked to the night market a couple of times. It was good exercise and a very pleasant walk which took no more than 20 minutes.
When we go back to Chiang Mai we will not hesitate to stay at Viangbua Mansions again.
I have been staying at the Viangbua Mansion again and I have to continue to rave about its great value and service. I have never come across staff members who are more helpful, it seems they cannot do enough to make their guests happy. And this is not for tips, either. The same goes for the standard of cleanliness, it really is exceptional for a property in this price bracket. The only thing that they could do to make my stays even better is to open the restaurant at night. At the moment it closes at 3pm. Many of the customers buy take-away foods at the big market around the corner or eat at the two restaurants just outside the front of the hotel, but sometimes I would prefer to dine in. That would make the Viangbua heaven.
