The best hotels in Chiang Mai for boutique stays and luxury getaways
A vibrant university town and the kingdom's capital of culture in the north, it's also known for its delectable local food, hiking trails and its lovely inhabitants. While it's long been a favourite with yogis, digital nomads and backpackers, recent years have seen Chiang Mai 's high-end hotel scene boom, with many properties making the most of elegant heritage buildings. Here is our pick of where to stay in Chiang Mai.
At a glance
1. The Four Seasons Hotel
The rice paddies of this Four Seasons, designed by lauded hotel architect Bill Bensley, foster the tranquility of staying in a remote, quintessentially Thai village – even a buffalo and his keeper do the rounds. Yet this tucked-away resort in the hills of Mae Rim is only a 30-minute drive north of the Old City. The standalone bungalows and villas that dot around the fields and infinity pool add to the secluded getaway feel, while the main buildings – a heavenly spa, vaulted ornate restaurant and high tech gym – are decked with teak wood interiors in old school Lanna (Northern Thai) style. As luxurious as any of the country's Four Seasons, this branch comes in slightly cheaper than its Koh Samui counterpart, which is playing backdrop to the third season of The White Lotus.
2. The Anantara Riverside Resort Hotel
This extremely special riverside hotel curls around a striking 19th-century building that once operated as the British embassy. Ease and decadence are the MO here, with the property making good use of its heritage features (make sure you check out the Ian Fleming / James Bond homage in the restaurant and cocktail bar's interior design) topped with that unmistakable Anantara class. The resort's newly relaunched river cruise on a traditional golden Lanna boat makes for royal treatment, while honeymooners (or love birds, or indeed any visitors) can book the private table that juts out on a platform overlooking the infinity pool and Ping River. Be sure to find time for spa treatments that range from traditional Thai practices (like a stomach fire massage) to Western-style health boosters a la mode, like vitamin-packed IV drips.
Address: 1 Charoen Prathet Rd, Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai 50100
3. 137 Pillars House Hotel
This gorgeous property is named after the 1880s teak wood house that forms the centre of the heritage hotel, standing proudly on 137 pillars of teak wood. The building, which was home to the Borneo Trading Company until the 1950s, has been restored to its original splendor and is a snapshot of Chiang Mai's past (complete with small museum in situ) while being a very active member of the city's present – the management and staff support local schools and orphanages, run community events throughout the year and collaborate with the neighboring monastery Wat Ket to archive the neighbourhood's history. Let the dedicated butler service at one of the 30 sumptuous suites assist you to fully unwind as you enjoy afternoon tea, poolside zen, or even a trip to the most ethical elephant sanctuary in town, with whom the hotel partner.
Address: Wat Kaet 1 Alley, Chang Moi, Chiang Mai, 50000
4. InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping Hotel
The InterContinental took over and completely refurbished one of the city's tallest, longstanding hotel buildings and have made it their own. The redesign is a loving homage to Lanna culture and oozes magnificence down to the smallest features – from the gold-plated reception area that's a nod to the pagodas of the royal temple at Wat Phra Singh to the local textile patterns of every cushion and floral door knobs at every turn. The property shouts 'Chiang Mai' from top to bottom, with a medieval-era temple on the sprawling lush green lawn, complete with its own warden and an ultra-swish roof terrace cocktail bar with unparalleled views of mountain leviathan, Doi Suthep. Treat yourself to afternoon tea and, if you're travelling with little ones, pop them in the art classes or ball pool in the kids' club.
5. The Shangri-La Hotel
The name globally renowned for excellence is no different in Chiang Mai, a vast resort catering for every visitor – but this branch of the Shangri-La is a firm favourite with families. The creative activities at the kids' club, the playground and the large children's pool area will keep your sprogs entertained no end. The hotel also provides free provisions for babies visiting, Muay Thai classes for the older kids and eco tours of the garden for your intrepid young ones. The gorgeous teak wood spa, aptly named Chi, is definitely one to book into when you need to unwind, whether yoga or aromatherapy massages are your priority.
Address: 89/8 Chang Klan Road, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
6. The Inside House Hotel
In the heart of the old city is an ultra-charming boutique stay at The Inside House, a colourful architectural homage to the Lanna-era gingerbread houses of the late 1800s. Built around a tall, elegant bodhi tree, finely carved woodwork dons every corner, from the leafy poolside pavilion to the elegant lobby and restaurant. This isn't the only gobsmacking feature though: 14 of the individually designed rooms have their own private pool and freestanding tubs en suite. You'll be loath to leave for breakfast and high tea, so have it delivered to your door, all just a few minutes walk from Wat Phra Singh and the Sunday night market.
7. Paapu House Hotel
Located on the eastern flank of the Old City moat, this quirky little guesthouse (you can't miss its purple walls and plant-laden entrance) is a music lovers gem, where every brick radiates the heart and soul put into running the place. Accommodation is above the restaurant, which hosts some of the best live music in Chiang Mai a few nights a week. In the true spirit of a B&B, the homey room decor and attention to detail (ask for hairdryers and you shall receive) makes for a cosy stay, where the management bend over backwards to look after their guests.
8. Eleven Pillar Site Hotel
Chicest of the small guesthouses in the Old City is Eleven Pillar Site, which is a steal price-wise and a win for design lovers. Manager-owner Jom has gone for Scandi minimalist textures while keeping a very strong Chiang Mai vibe, using local interior designers Pommballstudio and furniture makers Crop Mark to platform some of the sleekest style in town throughout his hotel. Alongside the four boutique rooms, he runs a cafe on site that serves Certified Naturally Grown coffee to accompany a menu of home-cooked Thai meals, as well as a small store selling unique gifts.
9. Onsen at Moncham Hotel
If you're celebrating, treating yourself, or just fancy some fresh countryside air, head to the gloriously located Onsen at Moncham. It's an utterly zen, Japanese-style luxury hotel that sits in the rolling hills of gorgeous Mon Jam, a quaint region in greater Chiang Mai that's just 40 minutes out of the city centre. The peaceful resort has three different onsen baths to enjoy – one private, one public and one for tired feet – plus most rooms come with an en-suite onsen of their own, which the staff will make for you. The in-house dining experience is an incredible Japanese seven-course affair that mirrors the attention to detail throughout every corner of the place.
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Thailand and Cambodia attract millions of visitors every year respectively, but the two countries have had border disputes bubbling under the service for more than 100 years. While historically conflict has been intermittent, relations deteriorated severely this week with gunfire being exchanged in a handful of disputed areas, and multiple civilian deaths have been reported as a result. It seems that the border regions are the only ones affected right now, but this is evidently worrying news if you have plans to travel to either country soon. So, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia as it continues to unfold, and how it might affect your travel plans. What's happening between Thailand and Cambodia? Relations between two countries have been tense since a soldier was killed during gunfire over a disputed area in late May, but things deteriorated severely yesterday (Thursday July 24) with more fire exchanged over several different border zones after Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in disputed areas. The affected areas reported are: along Thailand's Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey (near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple) and near Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province (which is close to the Prasat Ta Krabey site). The Independent reports that according to the Thai health ministry, 14 civilians and a soldier have been killed and 46 people have been injured. Is it safe to travel? Since the exchange of fire began, Thailand has ordered the closure of its entire 817km border with Cambodia, and several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the US, and the UK, have warned against travelling to the areas nearby. However, travel to the rest of each country seems unaffected, and it is exclusively the border area which is advised against travelling to. Are flights still running to Thailand and Cambodia? At the time of writing, flights to both Thailand and Cambodia from major destinations such as Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are operating normally, but if you plan to travel keep a keen eye on your flights status. What's the latest UK Foreign Office travel advice? Updated advice on the travel pages for both Thailand and Cambodia read: 'There are reports of fighting including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Thailand and Cambodia at several locations along the border. Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border. Land borders/crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are currently closed. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. We advise against all but essential travel to the affected border areas.' Specifically, travellers are told to avoid all but essential travel to within 50km of the border, and reminded that ignoring this advice will invalidate their travel insurance. Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel because of the conflict? Because the FCDO has not warned against all travel to Thailand and Cambodia (only against essential travel to within 50km of the border areas) it's unlikely you will be able to cancel your trip for a refund. The conditions for cancelling will depend on your provider, so the best thing to do if you're keen to avoid travelling is contact them directly. When was the last conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? The roots of this conflict technically date back more than a century, when the borders of each country were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia. Back in 2008, things got heated when Cambodia tried to register an eleventh century temple, which is located within a disputed zone, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There have been intermittent clashes over the years since, but it was in May that a Cambodian soldier was killed that tensions resurfaced.
