Location, location, location: the De Lanna Boutique Hotel has a great one. Almost in the centre of the old city, the De Lanna makes it easy to walk almost everywhere. Just a minute or two from the Sunday Walking Street Market, the beautiful Wat Phra Singh, and to several cooking schools. While you’re close to all the attractions, the De Lanna is on a quiet street with minimal traffic and without loud music. A great location.
The highlight of this 35-room boutique hotel is the garden and pool. There are both shady and sunny spots to sit and sip your cocktail, and the pool is a good size for play, exercise or just a cooling dip. There are also several koi ponds near the guest rooms.
The De Lanna features two suites, 11 deluxe and 22 superior rooms. I’m not sure I would call the rooms “ultra-modern” as the brochure does, but they are comfortable (however, if you have back or knee problems, note that the furniture is very low to the ground).
A buffet breakfast is included in the rates, and the restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner, and provides room service.
From US$145+ per night
– Beautiful pool and garden; convenient and quiet location
– Originality: you use different dolls to signal you’d like your room made up, your linens changed, or to request that you not be disturbed
– Bathrooms need updating
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
A boutique hotel outside of the city walls of Chiang Mai, Rimping Village offers peace and quiet within easy walking distance of all of the action that Chiang Mai offers. Alongside classically furnished rooms with tiled floors, quality white bed linen and dark wood there is a pool where you can cool off after a long hard day of sightseeing and a cosy bar-restaurant where local specialities can be sampled at lunchtime or on nights you do not fancy heading out. A rack of step through pushbikes are also available for guests to use at their leisure allowing you to really get to see the old town.
The thing that sets this boutique hotel aside from others in the area is the level of service. Put simply it is exceptional, even by Thai standards of friendliness. Recommendations of activities, places to eat, free events, places that are more off the beaten track are all part of the service and a friendly greeting is offered by all members of the staff team, A complimentary airport shuttle is also available for guests.
If you would like to enjoy Chiang Mai on foot (or by bike) but don’t want to be in one of the louder more touristy areas this place comes highly recommended. Great for families too with the advantage of having a pool, garden, bikes and loungers.
From US$130+ per night
– Great staff
– Small hotel ( 24 rooms at time of writing although plans to add more being mooted)
– Airport shuttle
– Peaceful location.
– Room decor very adequate but not lavish / quirky
– Bathrooms a bit small.
While Bangkok offers the hustle of city life, and thousands flock to the beaches to relax, the mountainous region of Chiang Mai is not to be missed on any trip to Southeast Asia. If you’re looking for an amazing luxury boutique hotel, from the moment you are greeted with chilled drinks in a funky, round-bottom glass, it’s hard to beat the dusit D2.
While Dusit International has hotels worldwide, the “D2” designation stands for their second generation of hotels, which combined Thai tradition but for a new modern generation.
The basic standard room is excellent, but for those looking for more space, upgrade to the Club Deluxe (32 square meters) or Studio Suite (64 square meters). The room had a desk area with power outlets compatible with both Asia and US plugs. There was also a relaxing couch area with lots of pillows to chill out for reading on those days the monsoon rains came in. The bathroom wasn’t huge, but it was clean and modern.
Those with an active lifestyle will appreciate the gym, which is large, modern, and offers a panoramic view. For those squeezing in some work, the WiFi was free, consistent, and strong, and the business lounge offers TVs, newspapers, and even a happy hour.
From US140+ per night
– Location
– Food
– Service
– Tiny television
– Bathroom modern but could be larger
Jim Hopkinson
Review Team
People visit the beaches of Thailand for many reasons: relaxation, stunning sunsets and water activities, for all of these reasons, you should check out the Amari Vogue in Krabi.
I recommend opting for this exclusive resort with multiple pools, restaurants, and your own private beach, and hopping the free shuttle when you’re ready to play tourist. Trust me, you may never leave the premises.
I had a great room on an upper floor with a view of the water from a small balcony. The bed was enormous — it was literally about 6-7 feet wide — and quite possibly could have been the largest bed I have ever slept in.
The gym is decent enough to give you a good workout, the WiFi is free and worked well, a massage in their spa is heavenly, but the real star here are the pools. Instead of one large pool, there were multiple options on each level as you made your way from the hotel down to the beach, with each offering little nooks and crannies to relax, get some sun, or view the sunset from the infinity pool.
From US220+ per night
– Gorgeous pool
– Postcard sunsets on the beach
– Great staff
– 20 minute shuttle to downtown Krabi
Jim Hopkinson
Review Team