With its heritage aging back more than 700 years, Chiang Mai portraits much of Thailand’s fascinating traditional architecture. Many interior designers used the Lanna culture as an inspiration for the hotels they designed. Check out our favorite design and luxury hotels of the cultural city.
As I walk towards the main courtyard of Rachamankha I am immediately intrigued by the zen-like interior design. The Thai owner and interior designer Ong-ard Satrabhandu who live next door, designed the boutique hotel in the style of residential living to encourage a feel for the history and culture of Lanna Chiang Mai. When I walk around through the garden and the courtyards I am charmed on every turn. Everything is furnished very well and I enjoy their choice of art: exotic crafted woodworks, illustrated leaves from Buddhist moral tales, Chinese antiques and chests. When I enter the library the aroma of cognac and Asian spices fills the air. I can’t do otherwise then spend a few hours here to research our next destination in the beautiful travel photography books. Outside is a large beautiful blue tiled swimming pool surrounded by old gnarled trees. Each room tells an artistic story about the owner’s family. Our room occupies the second floor of one of the villa’s and has two large bedrooms and private luxury bathrooms. From our private terrace lounge we look out on the garden with sky-high palm trees while we toast on a lovely night in this beautiful serene elegant home.
Price: $$$$ | For booking and current prices check: Rachamankha
Address: 6 Rachamankha 9, Phra Singh, 50200 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool —restaurant— Flat screen TV – massage – complimentary tea/coffee facilities – laundry service — garden —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —24 reception — air-conditioning— complimentary mosquito repellent — bar — locker — situated in Old Town.
Situated in the charming riverside neighborhood, Hotel des Artists, Ping Silhouette is definitely one of our favorite design hotels. The hotel is designed by Sitt Therakomen and Preechaya Therakomen (Agaligo studio) who won the Chiang Mai Design Awards in 2015. The ”modern Chinoiserie” design is inspired by the local identity of the neighborhood, which was once a thriving, multicultural merchant town decked with Chines architectures. The hotel offers 19 unique stylish private rooms set in a weaving willows garden. We stayed in the cubic shaped ”willow” rooms. It is like you enter your own little house with a private court. The rooms are furnished with lovely old and new style elements like an old-time gramophone you can connect to your Ipod. During the weekends there is a delicious breakfast buffet and every afternoon you can enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea with Taiwanese style toast! Café des Artists is divided in two parts. The chill-out coffee café on the street side is serving fine teas and high quality house blended coffee. The dining room has a terrace on the river side and serves delicious creative Asian dishes.
Price: $$$ | For booking and current prices check: Hotel des Artists Ping Silhouete
Address: 181 Chareonraj Rd., T.Wat Kate, A.Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool —restaurant— Flat screen TV – spa– complimentary tea/coffee facilities – laundry service —willow garden —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —complimentary afternoon tea —gym —locker
This lovely small boutique resort and spa is situated in a calm area 5 km outside the city. Perfect if you are looking for a relaxed escape from the crowd, but still want to be close enough to visit Old Town by tuk tuk. The village has a beautiful tropical garden filled with flowering trees, bamboo, and spices. Comfortable traditional wooden Lanna villas are set up around a large lotus pond in the middle of the garden. The rustic style villas have a large double bed with a view on the garden through floor to ceiling windows. It’s almost like you wake up in the jungle with the sound of running water and birds singing. Enjoy a lovely breakfast in the colonial style pavilion while you look out on the swimming pool. After an active day you can pamper yourself from head to toe at the garden spa pavilion or practice your yoga on the meditation platform in the middle of the lotus pond.
Price: $$ | For booking and current prices check: Ban Sabai Village Resort and Spa
Address: 219 Moo 9 San Pee Sua, Chang Phuak, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool —daily shuttle bus to the night market—restaurant— satellite TV – air-conditioning–spa– complimentary tea/coffee facilities, – DVD player and DVD’s – laundry service —tropical garden —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —bathroom with bathtub and separate shower —locker.
RarinJinda Wellness Spa Resort
Rarinjinda is situated near the historical Ping River in the center of Chiang Mai. The Wellness and Spa Resort is housed in a 140 year old antique Thai teak wooden home with a lovely view on the Doi Suthep Mountain. The 35 luxurious rooms are decorated with a mix of modern and antique furniture. All rooms have private veranda’s overlooking the large swimming pool. If you book a room on the ground floor you can even jump in the pool from your private veranda. But if you really want to treat yourself, book the royal suite with jacuzzi on the rooftop and enjoy the view. Book a wellness spa treatment and indulge yourself in the onsen after a day of sightseeing. The spa is fully equipped with the latest spa technology and facilities. You can choose from a variety of traditional Thai treatments and afterwards enjoy a delicious complimentary mango sticky rice. And every morning and evening you can join a yoga class. A delicious breakfast buffet is served every day at Deck 1 restaurant along side the Ping River.
Price: $$$ | For booking and current prices check: Rarinjinda Wellness Resort and Spa
Address: 1, 14 Chareonraj Rd., T. Wat Kate, A. Muang, Chiang Mai
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool —wellness spa and onsen— flat screen TV –– complimentary tea/coffee facilities – laundry service — garden —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —24 reception — air-conditioning—library— locker—restaurant.
This small colonial style boutique hotel is situated in a quiet lane in Old Town. It has a homey feel and the tranquil surroundings make this the perfect place to relax. The colorful rooms are large and include a living room with sofa, canopy bed, walk-in closet and large bathroom. The wonderful staff cares for all your needs. Are you in for a movie night? They have a large dvd selection to choose from. The lovely courtyard is like a little oasis set up with cozy tables and sofa’s where breakfast is served.
Price: $$ | For current prices check: Baan Klang Wiang
Address: 45 Ratchamanka Soi 6, (Chiang Mai Gate), Chiang Mai, Thailand
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool — flat screen TV –– complimentary tea/coffee facilities – laundry service — garden —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —24 reception — air-conditioning—library— locker—DVD collection—situated in Old Town
De Naga is situated opposite of the Tha-Pae gate in the city center. The hotel’s interior is traditional Lanna style with teak wooden floors, statues, ornaments and various Northern Thai paintings on the walls. The Asian style rooms are comfortable and have lovely king-size beds. There is a swimming pool with sun beds to refresh and a spa to treat yourself with a body massage. The friendly staff is (all traditional Thai dressed) 24 hours available to help you with everything you need.
Price: $$ | For booking and current prices check: De Naga Chiang Mai by The Unique Collection
Address: 45 Ratchamanka Soi 6, (Chiang Mai Gate), Chiang Mai, Thailand
Facilities: free Wi-Fi — swimming pool — flat screen TV –– complimentary tea/coffee facilities – laundry service —bathrobes and slippers —toiletries—mini-bar —24 reception — air-conditioning— locker—DVD collection—situated in the city center.
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