:: Overview
A fine example of graceful northern architecture in a quiet stretch of central Lampang, the wooden Riverside Guest House overlooks the Wang River perhaps 200 meters from Lampang's well-known Riverside Restaurant.
Rooms with ceiling fans or air-conditionned have attached bathrooms and are comfortably appointed.
There are a few air-conditioned room and a suite with ample living space.
:: Brief history
Restauration of the Riverside Guesthouse began in 1991. The five upstairs bedrooms of the main house were originally used to accommodate friends and family visiting from Europe, or the occasional rare traveller. Later, a second smaller wooden house with four bedrooms was added. Originally, these bedrooms were intended for use by musicians coming from Chiang Mai to play live music every night at the Riverside Restaurant.
In 1998, the musicians' rooms were given over to guests, owing to increased demand for lodging among many tourists who began coming to Lampang in search of a more authentic experience of the Thai Kingdom - one more rural and relaxing.
In April 2005, after the traditional Thai New Year celebration called 'Songkran', and after a year of hard work, a further addition to the guesthouse came to completion. Three new air-conditioned bedrooms were added upstairs, while 2 bedrooms with fans were added downstairs.
:: Official Reviews
The rough guide to South East Asia
"The delightful Riverside Guest House, 286 Thanon Talat Khao, is a traditional compound of elegant en-suite rooms, whose helpful owner rents out motorbikes, and also owns the recommended Riverside restaurant at 328 Thanon Tipchang."
Lonely Planet
"Le Riverside Bar & Restaurant occupe une vieille bâtisse de tek au bord de la rivière. Au menu: plats végétariens, spécialités régionales, pâtisseries et glaces fàràang (occidentales); son bar est bien fourni. Agréable pour un repas ou un verre, le Riverside accueil tous les soirs des groupes de musique folk. Les prix restent raisonables compte tenu de la qualité de la cuisine et du service."
The rough guide to Thailand
"The place to eat and drink is the Riverside at 328 Tipchang Rd, a cosy, relaxing spot on terraces overlooking the water. A wide variety of excellent Thai and Western food (moderate to expensive), including pizza, is served to the strains of live acoustic music. "
Guides Gallimard
"Un peu comme son confrère de Chiang Mai, le Riverside Lampang a choisi un emplacement charmant, au bord de la rivière Wang. Tout en bois, dans un style très rustique, on peut déguster ici de la bonne cuisine thaïe, européenne et même... des pizzas! L'établissement étant tenu par une Italienne, ce n'est peut-être pas un hasard... Orchestre tout les soirs à partir de 19h30."
:: Guestbook
29.09.2005
"This sounds like a broken record, but this is the nicest guest house we've stayed at in our 4 and a half months of travel so far... There is much to be said for the value of friendliness, a good aesthetic, + good design. Unfortunately we only had 2 days to spend here. Thanks!"
Laura Mezoff + Luke Christy
New Mexico | Colorado | USA
05.03.2005
"We had a very nice and relaxed stay (too short). Our kids really loved the dogs and of course the staff. We sure like to return some day."
"All the best from us!"
Frida, Magnus, Heurik and Signe
Copenhagen | Denmark
08.12.2003
"Quel Guest house formidable! Design Feng Shui, belles petites touches dans les chambres avec les meubles, les tissus, et la terrace! Si jamais je reviens en Thailande, je repasserai certainement par Lampang pour rester ici!"
"Merci pour l'accueil chalaureux!"
Stephanie Burchell
Whitehorse | Yukon | Canada
28.07.1999
"This is a short note to thank you for a lovely stay in your guest house. It is truly the most pretty and welcoming guesthouse that we have had the pleasure of staying in. The room was immaculate and breakfast on the veranda made us feel that we were in a movie! We also had and excellent night out in the side car bar... "
"We thank you both and wish you good luck and happiness for the future."
Ellen & Paul
England
