Step back in time to the heady days of the 1920s, when well-to-do and adventurous Westerners set out for the Orient in search of exotic decadence. This unique 20-roomed boutique property is filled throughout with period pieces – in guest rooms and public areas you will find gramophones, old fashioned telephones, books, and musical instruments, such as the saxophone adorning the wall of our villa room.

All rooms are comfortably furnished with just the right level of ‘distressed’ furnishings to fit the vintage theme but with all the comforts you would expect of the top rated hotel in Pai: TV, DVD player, free wifi, tea/coffee making facilities, small mini bar and beautiful bathrooms. The villa rooms open on to a private garden and have outdoor seating but the highlight is the stone Jacuzzi bath tub for two where you can open the aged shutters and, through the huge picture window, feel as though you are bathing in the garden itself.

Upstairs mountain view rooms afford the best views with stunning vistas of the lush hills around the city and the giant white Buddha that overlooks the valley.

Amenities include two pools, one beautiful freeform stone pool and an infinity pool looking out towards the hills. There is also a riverside pavilion, in a quiet spot away from the main hotel buildings. It’s an ideal spot for yoga, meditation or quiet contemplation as you sit on a bean bag and gaze at the fast-flowing, muddy waters of the River Pai.

The hotel is a few hundred metres from the centre of Pai and offers an on-demand shuttle service from various points around town. You will, however, want to eat in at least once, for lunch or an evening meal, to sample the Silhouette restaurant’s fine menu. To the sounds of soft jazz playing in the library area, you can feast on good quality tapas or Mediterranean fare, accompanied by a bottle or two from the carefully curated wine collection.

Few hotels can lay claim to a history as intriguing as that of 137 Pillars House. It’s bound up with intrepid British adventurers of the 19th century who set off for the East with dreams of adventure and riches and with Anna, English teacher to the children of the King of Siam.

The lovingly restored 19th century house which gives the hotel its name sits in the middle of the property, and is home to the bar, a fine dining European restaurant and the grand piano whose strains can be heard drifting through the warm air of an evening. The hotel’s Thai restaurant is housed in a stunning dining room with food which lives up to its surroundings.

Attention to detail throughout the hotel is faultless with staff being friendly, helpful, and discrete.

Soon after arrival, a butler will come to the suite with the pillow menu and a choice of toiletries; there are two different scents available. There are four categories of suite, starting from the entry level 70 square metre Rajah Brooke suites which contain a supremely comfortable king four poster bed and amenities including cable TV, a DVD player with USB and iPod docking station, a coffee machine and fine teas. Soft drinks and beer from the mini bar are free and there is plentiful bottled drinking water.

The bathroom has a colonial-era feel, with vintage floor tiles and fixed, white slated blind; it includes double washbasins, roomy wardrobe space, separate toilet, Victorian freestanding bath tub for two, and indoor and outdoor showers.

Larger suites include separate living rooms and the top-of-the-range suites include a private pool. All suites have large balconies with day beds, ideal for relaxing after a day spent discovering Chiang Mai’s delights.

After a stay here you’ll easily understand why this multi-award-winning hotel is the top rated boutique hotel in the city.

Located in a quiet lane, within Chiang Mai’s ancient city walls and a short stroll from one of the city’s most beautiful temples, is the quiet and delightful Rachamankha Hotel. Designed by one of Thailand’s foremost architects – who lives onsite – the hotel is styled after old Chinese courtyard dwellings, with influences from local Lanna culture.

Entry level superior rooms are simple with tiled floors, white walls and antique furnishings and art. There’s satellite TV, dvd player (you can choose from a library of titles), mini bar and tea/coffee making amenities. Deluxe rooms are similar but with the added romance of a canopy bed; spacious and stylish two bedroom suites are also available.

The true charm of Rachamkha, however, lies outside the rooms. To wander from courtyard to courtyard, discovering art along the way is simply a delight and a photographer’s dream. One of the highlights is the beautiful library which is atmospheric and stocked with hundreds of books, from novels to travel to art and culture. In addition, there is a large open air sitting area, the roof held aloft by sturdy, deep red columns, and stocked with large coffee table books, flowers and art.

Rachamankha is blessed with a 20m pool, a cozy bar and a restaurant serving Thai, Shan and Burmese cuisine. The generous a la carte breakfast is high quality and perfect before a day exploring this fascinating city.

Within walking distance there are dozens of working temples as well as the famous Sunday Walking Street Market making the hotel an ideal base for exploring Chiang Mai’s old city on foot.

 
The award-winning Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort sits proudly atop a tree lined ridge allowing for fabulous views over the surrounding, verdant valley. With only 43 rooms the resort is small but spread out over the jungle-clad hillside, giving a feeling of tranquillity and privacy that is a respite from Thailand’s sometimes hectic tourist trail.

We stayed in a very spacious jacuzzi villa which was appointed in dark wood and had a high ceiling to add to the sense of space. A large, private decked balcony, with table and chairs and our very own jacuzzi, wrapped around the room. There are also pool rooms available with private infinity pools with stunning valley views. Some jacuzzi rooms have views, others face directly into the tall teak forest, so specify when you book if a view is important to you.

The multi-level pool area is beautiful, with water cascading down a rock face from the upper tier pools to the larger one below.

Panviman is about 40 km outside of Chiang Mai (there are twice daily free shuttles to/from town) but is ideally located for the many activities in the area and the resort also has its own activities. There is a small but adequate gym, free use of mountain bikes, giant chess, and a pool table and also excellent, free wifi throughout the resort.

The onsite spa is located downhill from the main part of the resort and is highly recommended. Feel yourself relax as your main treatment is preceded by a brief foot ritual overlooking the large pond stocked with koi carp. This wonderful oasis of calm has a wide range of treatments, including Tibetan stone massage, Thai Yoga massage and various Ayurveda treatments.

Panviman, meaning ‘heavenly’, is aptly-named and a perfect choice for a relaxing break during a holiday in Thailand.