Thailand is a great place to go, if it be business and / or pleasure. It is the ideal spot to just get away from it all and just become one with nature.

I have done some research, looking into temperature conditions and so on and have found the Chiang Mai are to be the best and most comfortable place to go to for your "working retreat". I have suggested a few options of places to stay  and things to do in Chiang Mai.

Places to stay:

The best possible cottages that i could find within your budget are:

1) The Pooh Cottage: This is a state of the art yet quaint cottage located a short 5 minutes drive from the Chiang Mai International Airport and city center. With facilities like high speed Internet and large private cottages it will be a perfect choice for your "working retreat" for you and your colleagues. And when you want to let loose after a hard days work then you can hit the Spas, the exciting Nightlife scene, the Entertainment Public Park and the many International Restaurant which are all at walking distance from the cottage. The most ideal accommodation option for a group of your size would be to take a Super Deluxe Room which can accommodate 8 people and will cost you about 100 USD a room a night. This seems like one of the most practical cottage of the list. 

2) The Field Village: The Field Village is a warm, family-run boutique resort which is located only 10 minutes from, Chiang Mai. It is a small and friendly resort, with all the latest facilities you will require for your "working retreat" such as free wireless high speed Internet and beautifully furnished cottages that rival some of the best Boutique Hotels in the area. And if you need a break from all the hard work you can take a dip in the salt water pool or catch your own dinner at the private fishing lake. The best living option i have found for you is to take two 2 level cottages which can accommodate 5 people each. And lucky for you there is a special summer offer till the 31st of May where you save almost 60 USD for each cottage a night by paying only USD 78 as compared to regular price of USD 128 per room oer night.

3) Dreamcatchers B & B: This is another great option for your working retreat in Chiang Mai. Dreamcatchers is a modern, Lanna-style complex of detached buildings connected by walkways and verandas. With its unique Lanna charm, Dreamcatchers is the perfect place for you to relax and unwind. They also have a high speed wireless internet connection and lots of space for you and your team to to do your work. The total cost works up to about 1,212 USD which includes breakfast. I have also got them to throw in a complementary 1/2 day tour to the Doi Suthep temple, plus a 10% discount on the in house menu for lunch and dinner.

4) Rachamankha Flora House: Here is an other great cottage for you to have your working retreat in. Rachamankha Flora House has all the facilities you will need for your retreat such as wireless internet in every room and the lobby, cheap rates and the ability to book the property for the exclusive use by your group. The rooms work out to about 31 USD per room per night including breakfast (this is a special rate that i have got for your group via correspondence with the owner). 

These were the only four cottages in Chiang Mai area i could find that match your requirements. You could also check out some of the hotels in the area. I have compile a list of the best hotels in the area that fit your needs:

1) Chiang Mai Gate Hotel: This Hotel is situated in one of the prime locations of Chiang Mai. It is a hotel that, you could say, is ideally suited for your "working retreat" with its free high speed Internet facility and affordable room rates. The ideal accommodation for you would be to stay in 5 standard rooms which works out to 43 USD per room, which dos work out little more than your budget but trust me the extra will be worth it. There is also a special offer running where you stay for 7 days and pay for only 6.

2) Holiday Garden Hotel and Resort:  It is a beautiful resort in downtown Chiang Mai. Holiday Garden Hotel & Resort offers boutique beauty in a beautiful resort setting. It also has free high speed Internet making it an ideal choice for you "working retread".  Holiday Garden Hotel & Resort with a prime location,is within five minutes drive of Doi Suthep Mountain and downtown Chiang Mai as well as being within walking distance to great restaurants, bars and other Chiang Mai city attractions. For your accommodation needs i suggest you take 5 superior rooms which works out to about 28 USD a room a night, which is a comparatively lower price.

You can also try the Banilah Boutique Guest House, which is also a great living option in Chiang Mai. It is very luxrious and classy place to stay which is tucked away from the busyness of central Chiang Mai. It has complementary access to LAN high speed Internet connection, so if you take a wifi router along with you then you can easily access the net from anywhere in your rooms. The ideal accommodation (cheapest of the list) for you would be to take 5 double rooms with airconditioning, which works up to about 16 USD a night per room. 

Things to do:

When you need a break from all the hard work, there are several ways to release some steam.

Chiang Mai, being a tourist town, offers an exciting selection of unique and fun activities which can be arranged through any of the tour agents found scattered about town.

1) Rafting and Kayaking: Northern Thailand is mountainous and white water rafting is popular on the Mae Tang river, which tumbles out of the hills during, and immediately after the raining season (June - February), offering first class rafting and kayaking. I recommend Siam whitewater rafting and kayaking Adventures as a certified and safe operation with a good reputation. 

2) Trekking: Perhaps the most popular adventure activity in Chiang Mai. The province is laden with mountain landscape and a multi-day trek to the remote hill tribe villages, with their subsistence lifestyle – is quite an experience. Numerous companies offer various treks, often from the guest house you might be staying at or else from travel agents congregated around the Thapae Gate and Night Market areas. These treks are a great way to get a feel of the other side of Chiang Mai.

3) Rock Climbing: If you are feeling a little brave then you can try the abundant rock climbing options that Chiang Mai has to offer. There are three climbing walls and great climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress east of Chiang Mai in the Mae On district. Here you'll find some first class climbing on good faces and crags, a must experience when in Chiang Mai. You can get more rock climbing info from this link.

4) X-Centre: This is another must see when in Chiang Mai. The X-Centre is a multi-activity center which has paint ball action, bungy jump, a go-cart track and motorbike or 4-wheeler buggy excursions on to the mountain. It was also featured in the popular reality T. V. series - The Amazing Race. You can check out this link for more information.

A word of warning though be careful with your bag as there have been cases of bags and other personal belongings being stolen from rooms. It is advisable to carry your important personal items along with you at all times.

If you require any further information and / or clarifications, or if you want more information on other locations in Thailand, then please feel free to ask me and i will be more than happy to help you out.

Bon Voyage!

Nikhil