Hotels in Chiang Mai: the two we would book

Why we picked it

What convinced us is the feeling of a house rather than a hotel: Lanna-colonial residences, a teak rice barn turned pool bar, a restored teak house with a small library and a restaurant right on the Ping River. We would book it for a couple’s stay with time to wander the grounds, and for an evening at the Glasshouse and its 360-degree view.

• Half-wood Lanna-colonial architecture inspired by the late 19th century
• TIME Riverfront Cuisine & Bar on the Ping River, and a rooftop Glasshouse with a 360-degree view
• A century-old rain tree, a Lanna rice barn turned pool bar and the Huan Kammung teak house

• Riverfront restaurantTIME Riverfront Cuisine & Bar, on the Ping River
• GlasshouseFine wines and a 360-degree rooftop view
• Rice barn pool barA teak Lanna rice barn, open 10:00–20:00
• Na Nirand SpaLanna-style, two treatment rooms, 10:00–21:00
• Huan KammungA restored teak house with a small library, 09:00–20:00
• Garden of Eternal LoveAround a century-old rain tree

Why we picked it

We would book it for the location and the setting: inside the moat, around a pool and a tropical garden, with a Thai Lue house as the lounge and a butler on duty around the clock. It is the easy answer for a first visit to Chiang Mai.

• A colonial Thai Lue house as the welcome lounge, surrounded by an outdoor pool and a tropical garden
• Inside the old-city ramparts at the Suan Dok Gate, near temples, museums and the walking streets
• 24-hour butler service and rooms with a private balcony, by the garden or the pool

• Swimming poolBetween the Dahla and Monta cottages, in the garden
• Pool bar
• The Canal Bar & RestaurantThai and western food; breakfast 07:00–10:00
• Exercise room
• Wi-FiFree, high-speed
• 24-hour front deskWith concierge and butler service
• Airport transfer
• Private shuttle busAsk the butler team
• Parking
• Air-conditioningIndividually controlled
• BathtubSeparate shower and bathtub in the rooms
• MinibarIn the rooms