Testimonials
If you enjoyed your stay with us and wish to tell the world please contact us and we'll post your letter here.
(I'll publish only as much about as you wish and if you're happy to let people contact you I'll do all I can to keep your email address safe from spam-bots) 
Reviews on Thailand Travel Online, Expedia, Travel Buddies, and the like are also apprieciated.
Feb 2010
Dear James and May,
I am writing thank you for your hospitality, and to let others know that your homestay provides a fine, peaceful base in Chiang Mai. The wifi access and office resources make it a perfect place for travelling telecommuters. For vacationers, yours and May's expertise is of great value. The location is very pleasant, close enough to the center for all tourist needs, but far enough to permit a bit of quiet and local Chiang Mai atmosphere. I highly recommend The Rose of Suthep Homestay.
Best regards and thanks again,
Peter from USA
Jan 2010
As this was my first trip to Asia, my dear friend and traveling companion Angie wisely made reservations at the Rose of Suthep HomeStay. While I thought that it would indeed be highly advantageous to be oriented in the Thai culture and the geography of the city with knowledgeable trusted people, I have to say that our experience with James and May well exceeded my expectations.
Upon arrival on the first day, they picked us up at the train station, they took us shopping at the markets for some desired items and helped us negotiate the prices, fed us with delicious home cooked food, and drove us out to a scenic waterfall. They consistently answered our questions, taxied us around the city as needed, set us up with a native birding/nature guide, accompanied us to a wonderful hill tribe cultural dinner and performance, and they quickly became our charming friends as well.
Even after we moved out of the homestay to a hotel that was much closer to the school that we attended, they willingly escorted me through the Chiang Mai hospital so that I could complete my required vaccinations. They never nickel and dimed us on anything, and they even provided us a super nice upgraded room to us at no extra charge. It was obvious to us that May and James truly enjoy their selected vocation, and expertly place the interest and welfare of their guests first.
I can wholeheartedly recommend the Rose of Stehtep HomeStay to any traveler who visits Chiang Mai. After a long trip across half way the globe, James and May will be there to welcome you with their warm smiles, gentle humor, good food, lovely accommodations, and their own expertise in Thai culture.
Happy New Year and best wishes to you both,
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Gina Sheridan |
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I want to take a minute to tell everyone what a wonderful experience we had with James and Mae. We hope you will make the choice to stay with them when you visit Chiang Mai. It is the only way to really learn about the city and be able to find the things you need. There is no phone book like we have in the States. You can not find the things you need without their help. They have a beautiful clean home and delicious meals. Their garden is amazing as well. I was so excited to see passion fruit growing on the wall behind their home - they let us eat all we wanted !! You will be very well cared for and have the trip you dreamed of if you stay at rose of suthep.
Thank you James and Mae!!!
Sincerely,
Angela
USA
Dear James and May!
I would like to thank you both for the great time we had in Chiang Mai back in August!
I have spent 5 days at their nice and comfortable HomeStay with my girlfriend. We enjoyed the peaceful house and the hospitality of James and May, they treat you like a family member, you can ask them anything and they always answer from their hearts.
I recommend everyone to stay with them a few days at least, but if you plan to see more about Chiang Mai, you will need more time. As May said to me, "even 1 year is not enough to see everything around Chiang Mai, if you go out every day", and that's very true! We have seen and experienced so many things in these few days; it was feeling like 3-4 weeks for me. We have enjoyed good dinners, seen beautiful Buddhist temple, have been on the highest point of Thailand (and if you haven't feel cold in Thailand before, just ask them to take you there up the mountains, it's very chilly!), and we have seen monkey and elephant show, meet with real tigers, seen some beautiful and interesting handicrafts (silver and wood arts, pottery, etc.) just to name a few. And most of all, the great nature in Chiang Mai! Thailand has beautiful and amazing places, from the hills you can get a good view of the city and the surrounding mountains, and in the national parks you can see nature's beauty. Many beautiful flowers and plants, waterfalls, hills, rivers and trees await you.
You can ask anything about Thailand, James and May will know the answer.
They are very kind and helpful, I'm happy we stayed with them.
The service is excellent and good value for your money.
You can have free wireless internet, air conditioning, very good quality home-made clean water (James is doing it, absolutely worth to try!), nice and clean rooms, and more. In the kitchen you can also cook by yourself, but don't miss May's cooking, she is good!
We have enjoyed staying in Rose of Suthep HomeStay, with James and May as great hosts. I hope to visit them again, and see more about Chiang Mai, this beautiful and peaceful part of Thailand.
Best wishes!
Gábor from Hungary
December 2009
(Magyarul / in Hungarian)
Kedves James és May!
Szeretném megköszönni nektek a remek időt, amit augusztusban töltöttünk együtt!
A szép és otthonos vendégházukban 5 napig voltunk a vendégük a barátnőmmel. Megkedveltük a szép, békés házat és James és May vendégszeretetét. Úgy kezelnek, mint egy családtagot, bármit kérdezhetsz tőlük, mindig a szívükből válaszolnak.
Mindenkinek javaslom, hogy legalább egy pár napot töltsön velük, de ha többet szeretne valaki megtudni Chiang Mairól, több időre lesz szüksége. Ahogy May mondta nekem, "még 1 év sem elegendő ahhoz, hogy mindent megnézz Chiang Maiban és a környékén, még úgy se, ha minden nap elmegyünk kirándulni", és ez így igaz! Olyan sok mindent láttunk és tapasztaltunk ebben a pár napban; olyan érzés volt, mintha 3-4 hét telt volna el. Finom vacsorákat ettünk, szép Buddhista templomot láttunk, Thaiföld legmagasabb pontján is voltunk (és ha még nem fáztál Thaiföldön, csak kérd meg őket hogy vigyenek fel a hegyre, nagyon hővös van ott!), láttunk majom és elefánt show-t, igazi tigrisekkel találkoztunk, megnéztünk sok érdekes és szép kézmőves terméket (ezüst és fa megmunkálás, fazekasság, stb.) csak hogy néhány dolgot említsek. És legfőképp, a remek természet Chiang Maiban! Thaiföldön sok lenyőgöző és szép hely van, a hegyekről szép kilátás nyílik a városra, és a környező hegyekre. A nemzeti parkokban pedig megcsodálhatjuk a természet szépségét. Nagyon sok a szép növény, fák, virágok, vízesések, hegyek és folyók várják az embert.
Bármit kérdezhetsz Thaiföldről, James és May tudni fogja a választ (természetesen angolul).
Nagyon kedvesek és segítőkészek, örülök, hogy náluk lehettünk.
A szolgáltatás kitőnő, és jól megéri az árát.
Ingyenes vezeték nélküli internet hozzáférést adnak, a szobák légkondicionáltak, nagyon jó minőségő, tiszta házi készítéső vizük van (amit James készít, mindenképpen érdemes kipróbálni!), szép tiszta szobáik vannak, és még sok minden más. A konyhában lehet egyénileg is főzni, de ne hagyd ki May főztjét, finomakat tud készíteni!
Örülünk, hogy a Rose of Suthep vendégházban lehettünk James és May vendégei, reméljük viszontlátjuk őket egyszer, hogy többet lássunk Chiang Maiból, Thaiföld eme nagyon szép és békés részéről.
A legjobbakat kívánom!
Gábor Magyarországról
2009 December
Hi everyone!
I was stayed in this homestay for a couple of nights. James and May were very friendly to me, and they helped me with everything I needed.
The house is very comfortable, although it's not near to the centre.
By the way, May cooks very well.
It's a place where I recommend to stay in.
Hola a todos!
Estuve alojado en este homestay un par de días. James y May fueron my amables conmigo y me ayudaron en todo lo que necesité.
La casa es muy confortable, aunque no está cerca del centro.
Por cierto, May cocina de maravilla.
Es un sitio donde recomiendo alojarse.
Spain
November 2009
11/08/2009
Thanks James & May for the wonderful room in Chiang Mai. I was on Chiang Mai on business for few days. James & May offered everything they can. The room was nice, cheap and free internet too. I will recommend anyone visiting to Chiang Mai to stay in Rose of Suthep. - Kaj
22/06/2009
Dear James and May,
We're a couple that loves flexibility of plans during travelling, and in June 2009 we passed by Chiang Mai for a one day visit. We discovered the Rose of Suthep through a friend. We found ourselves in a welcoming environment, good value for money with spacious rooms never before seen, and with James and May very helpful for planning a one day trip in the area of Chiang Mai. We only really had one full day there, so challenged James and May heavily on advising us what to do. Bringing us to several places as of our wishes and needs - which changed throughout the day and were happily accommodated for by James and May - this one day turned out to be an amazing collection of experiences, featuring temples, tigers, elephants, hill tribes, coffee, Thai boxing, and even a naughty camel! We'll never forget it, and hope to be back in Chiang Mai one day!
Jos & Maria
Liverpool, UK
06/06/2009
Dear James and May,
the more time passes the more I miss Thailand!
I stayed in Thailand in the second half of 2008, at all around 5 month. I spent a whole month in Chiang Mai for the reason of a massage course and I lived at Rose of Suthep all that time. Gladly I can remember the good times at your place and I am always pleased when I am going through my notes I wrote down in my diary while staying at Rose of Suthep. It makes me really happy to remember the good conversations we had (esp. downstairs at the living room and in the dining hall). All that ouput created influenced me so much and I am especially grateful about the discourse of how people are (do you remember?).
James and May are two friendly and according to the guests needs very attentive persons. It all started with getting picked up at the trainstation, continuing with showing me around in the city as well as helping me getting organized my massage course and future plans. Finally they organised the trip to the monastery I stayed afterwards and even better picked me up a month later carrying me to the airport. Also I am very much grateful that you could help me with that visa problem. Without your help all would have been much more difficult!
Besides I want to thank the staff people and also your family so much for introducing me to the thai style living very intensively.
If I get the chance to come back to Thailand respectively Chiang Mai I am very looking forward to meet you all again. One day in the future.
In addition: thank you very much for the good food and the recipes provided. I am cooking thai style quite often and reminiscing about the wonderful time with you makes me so glad!!!
Lots of hugs,
Joss <--- Berlin, Germany -->
05.04.2009
Vi er en familie paa 4 fra Danmark, som idag siger farvel til James og May. Da vi begyndte vores rejse rundt i Asien i Bangkok tilbage i februar maaned, moedte vi May og James paa gaden. Vi lignede helt sikkert turister, og vi faldt i snak med dem. De spurgte om vores planer og vi fortalte at vi skulle til Chiang Mai. De gav os deres visitkort, saa vi kunne bo hos dem, hvis vi havde lyst.
Og det havde vi. Vi har haft 4 dejlige dage her i Chaing Mai, og oplevet deres utrolige gaestfrihed og aabne sind. James og May hentede os i lufthavnen og gav os en dejlig velkomst. Vi har nydt at bo hjemme hos dem i deres skoenne hus, nydt Mays dejlige Thai mad og James' English breakfast. De har vaeret utroligt hjaelpsomm og koert os hen, hvor vi ville. Deres kendskab til omraadet og den thailandske kultur har laert os meget, og det var specielt en stor fordel, da de tog os med ud paa en endagstur rundt til forskellige sevaerdigheder, vi selv havde udvalgt.
Vi kan kun anbefale andre at bo her hos James og May. Det er et dejligt tilflugtsted vaek fra de overbelagte hoteller og larmende gader i storbyerne.
De kaerligste hilsener
Jesper, Mia, Jonas og Rikke
Aabybro, Danmark
We are a family of 4 from Denmark, and today we have to say goodbuy to James and May. When we started our journey in Asia in Bangkok back in February, we met James and May in the street. We were definately looking very turistlike, and they commented on this fact. They asked us about our travel plans, and we told them that we were going to Chiang Mai later on. So they handed us a businesscard, so we could come stay with them if we wanted to.
And we did. We have spent 4 wonderful days here in Chiang Mai, and we have felt very welcome, great hospitality and open minds. James and May picked us up in the airport and welcomed us with open arms and Jasmin flowers. We have enjoyed staying in their beautiful house, loved Mays great Thai food and James' English breakfast. They have been extremely helpfulp, and taxied us wherever we wanted to go. Their knowledge about the area and the Thai culture has given all of us more knowledge too. And having them as our personal guides on a 1 day trip to some of the areas famous places was indeed a great advantage.
We highly recommend others to come stay with James and May. It is a nice get away from the crowded hoteles and noisy big city streets.
Warm greetings from
Jesper, Mia, Jonas and Rikke
Aabybro, Denmark
27/02/2009
My wife & I stayed at the Rose of Suthep for 10 days with James and May in Chaing Mai.
It was an amazing and educational experience.
From them picking us up from the train station to bringing us to some amazing restaurants, we definitely want to come visit with them again.
It was much better than staying at a hotel/hostle because you truly got a Thai experience and we made friends through it all.
Both of them are very generous and great to be around. Hope to see you guys soon!
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Aloha & Mahalo Bob & Sarah Jones Honolulu, HI USA 15/02/2009 |
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I would like to thank James and May for making my stay at their home a comfortable and memorable one. it was so good to be able to interact with their extended family and i was made to feel a part of their family.
The adventures we shared together will remain always in my memory.
I will certanly return to their homestay in the future and recommend it to others.
Debbie (Australia)
<--- This note was found on a dresser after the guests checked out,
I have reproduced it here with the express
permission of the guests. --->
03/10/2008
My girlfriend Suwanee and I stayed in Chiang Mai at Rose of Suthep Homestay for about 1 week. I rented a motorcycle for the duration of my stay, one of which is more modern and powerful. Of course the prices reflect the differences. The home itself is in a quiet residential neighborhood outside the hustle and bustle of downtown. It's very close to Chiang Mai University and about a 10 minute drive to the center of the city. They have two motorbikes and a car available to rent daily. The Chiang Mai Zoo and Wat Doi Suthep, a famous temple, are both a convenient drive from this location. Actually, just about everywhere is a convenient drive from Rose of Suthep, as Chiang Mai isn't very large in terms of land area. Also, this location is very near large main roads where you won't see Bangkok like traffic...ever (thank goodness!). James and May are very friendly people. If you want to participate in the popular tourist activities, James and May, I'm sure, will be eager to arrange things for you. They are quite helpful and the atmoshphere is laid back. They have a variety of beverages available inhouse at very reasonable prices. The room was comfortable, has air and/or fan and was cleaned every day unless otherwise requested. There is a living room with cable TV, a dvd/cd player and the houses personal library of dvd's and cd's. Internet proved to be reliable although I was disconnected a few hours on just one occasion. It's wireless. All in all, I enjoyed staying at Rose of Suthep Homestay. If I visit Chiang Mai again, I will certainly be staying there. <-- Edit; James... and they did, February 2009. -->
Evan Smyres
American
October, 2008
07/27/08
Dear James and May,
Just a quick note to let people out there that maybe considering accommodation options in Chiangmai.
I stayed with James and May for 10 days in June 2008, who I befriend on the Internet over a year ago before making my first oversea holiday to Malaysia and Thailand.
It was a good option to stay in a home with people that live and breathe the locality you want to explore, as well as having May, a Thai woman, with her cultural understanding of the area and her country. To have someone that can speak the language and know the right cultural things to do and meanings is of a great help. James also acted as a backup and translator of sorts too!
My stay was fuss free. Any questions about the city, what to do, what to see, how to get there and how much to pay were always answered in a clear manner. It makes it easy for a new comer with all the options available in the one place. Local recommended restaurants, private valet service, private tours, a motor scooter available when you need it and even taking care of your laundry are just normal everyday services.
For someone that does not want to be right in the heart of the city with all the other tourists and hassles that go with it, your place being so close to the city and all attractions makes sense. Close but not too close to the action, surrounded by normal homes and people that are just living makes it a quiet place to recover from a long days outing. Then again if you feel like the night life is calling you out for the night, it's a quick drive and you are right in the middle of Chiangmai city.
I can recommend Rose of the Suthep home stay to those who want a more personalized one on one service where your not just another number but also a friend.
Best wishes and good luck on spreading your brand of home stay accommodation in Chiangmai around the world!
Andrew Gunn
Melbourne, Australia.
On our recent holiday to Thailand we spent some time in Chaing Mai as guests at the Rose of Suthep homestay. The accommodation was very comfortable and affordable and the proprietors, James and May, made us feel more like family members than paying guests. They also offered us an enormous range of activities and places to visit as well as actually driving us to them when we requested. They also very helpful with any translation or bargaining at the markets.
If you are planning a stay in Chaing Mai and would like somewhere with a more personal touch than a hotel we would definitely recommend the Rose of Suthep.
Terry and Patty Carter (Australia)
villacl@bluemaxx.com.au
July 09, 2008
My name is Justin, i live in Melbourne Australia.I have stayed at the Rose Of Suthep homestay 3 times in the last 18 months. On each of my visits i have been been greeted with a warm , genuine welcome and been treated more like a friend or family member rather than a customer. James and his wife , May , and her parents have helpful , insightful information regarding all types of topics regarding Thailand.All manner of questions come to mind when in a foreign land, and to be able to get helpfull , intelligent advice can be invaluable at times ,and save time and money, and make the best of the time you have on holiday.This is something you rarely get when you stay in a hotel.Many times i have needed May to interpret information on my behalf when dealing with a thai person with limited english ability.May and James seem always happy to help.The guesthouse is beautiful and caters to all needs, making you feel right at home.If Chiangmai , Thailand is your destination , then i would not hesitate for a second in recommending choosing The Rose Of Suthep as your place of stay.James and May have all the inside local knowledge, and sugguestions as to where to take you to visit and choices of activities based on your likes and dislikes.
Last Sonkrang my wife and children and I went to have a holiday in Chiang Mai.
We reserved a room at The Rose of Suthep just 5 minutes from the centre from Chiang Mai. The hosts of the HomeStay are : James and May . We were being picked up from the airport by James himself. James and May are very helpful in giving you the right information to organize your holiday in Chiang Mai, they gave us a lot of helpful tips. The rooms at The Rose of Suthep are clean comfortable it's a real value for the money.
James and May can provide you with a car if you want your own transportation. We stayed one week and we really felt at home.
The rose of Suthep is a comfortable place and has a very good value of your money. The hospitality of James and May is great they will help you just with everything.
I truly recommend the Rose of Suthep.
Gaston Rings (Holland)
May 19, 2008
If you need more information please contact me at gastonrings@hotmail.com
Rose of Suthep Homestay provides you with a very clean and relaxing environment to base your travels in Chiang Mai from. James and May are excellent hosts and are more then willing to show you all the local sights.
Chris and Heather (California, U.S.A)
February 02, 2008
2008年3月我去了泰国清迈，去之前我曾经听说过HOMESTAY，是一间非常不错的别墅呢！由于我的航班迟到，JAMES和MAY在清迈机场的候机楼等了我足足 两个多小时，令我非常感动。
另外也有一件不幸的事情发生了，我的行李在曼谷飞往清迈的途中遗失不见了...此后的7天时间里面，JAMES和MAY不断给予我帮助，致电航空公司和机场，希望能找回我的行李，并且热心的帮我询问有关赔偿的事宜。
由于行李遗失，JAMES热情的送了一些衣物给我，还安慰我说应该开心的渡过这个清迈的旅程。过多感激的字眼我就不说了，我觉得JAMES真是一个非常热 心和值得信任的朋友。我去清迈之前没有做好行程安排，也没有找一些有关清迈的详细资料，JAMES就热心的驾车带我在清迈四围走走，我比较喜欢吃，他知道 后就带我去吃又便宜又好吃的东西，因为我信奉佛教，JAMES就又驾车带我到寺庙周围走走，每当我见到一些泰国的人文风情和建筑，JAMES就会热心向我 讲解这些历史，他也算是个不错的导游了，呵呵！几天下来，JAMES和MAY都一直陪伴在我的身边，让我在清迈很有家的感觉。
ROSE OF SUTHEP HOMESTAY，对于那些自由行去清迈的人来说，真是一个非常值得推荐的项目，HOMESTAY的意思是入住JAMES和MAY的别墅，跟JAMES和 MAY生活在一起，就像一家人一样，JAMES和MAY是朋友，也是导游，他们会带着你游览清迈，也会驾车去机场接你...这一切，当你下飞机之后，你就 会感受到那种如同朋友的亲切。JAMES和MAY的别墅，客房都很宽敞、干净、明亮，我还在MAY的指导下，学会了如何烹制冬阴功汤...美好的时光，充 满的快乐的ROSE OF SUTHEP HOMESTAY项目，不是简单片言只语就能表达。
去清迈，记得向JAMES这位朋友预约了... 如果有任何疑问，请联系本人的MSN: djai123@hotmail.com
I went to Thailand on march, 2008. I heard about "ROSE OF SUTHEP HOME STAY" , A big vila in chinagmai. Because of the delay of my airplane , james and may had waited me for 2 hours in chiangmai airport, that made me very affecting.
On the otherside , unfortunately , my baggage had been lost in the way from Bangkok to chinagmai , in the last 7 days , james and may helped me a lot , they gave the phone calls to the airplane company and the airport , which could found my baggage , and asked about the reparation and insurance.
Because of the my baggage was lost , james gave me some clothes as a gift ,and consoled me "you should be happy in this trip ".i don't want to say too much "thank you" , actually ,james he's very warm-hearted,and he's the sort of person you take for granted .
I did nothing in the schedules of my trip in chiangmai , so I don't know anything on my trip. James drived the car for me ,and took me traveled around chinagmai. James knows I love delicious food very much, so he went to the cheap and delicious restaurants with me, james he knows I believe Buddhism,so he took me to the temples which built 700 years ago...when I saw some lost temples in chiangmai and I asked james "what's that ? could you tell me the history of the temples? " , james would explained everything for me , I think ,james is not only a warm-hearted host, but also a good guide! James and May they lived with me for 7 days ,that made me felt like we were a family! And I learned how to cook "tom-yuem-gong" soup , I am a student from May.
ROSE OF SUTHEP HOME STAY, I strongly recommend to you with my heart, it's very suitable for the tourists who want to go to chiangmai. Live with james and may together, it's like a funny family , james and May are your friends ,and also they are the guides. When the first step that you go out of the airplane , when james is standing there wating for you with his smile ,you will feel the affability!
If you have any questions ,you can contact me.
Guangzhou China
my MSN: djai123@hotmail.com
