The Best Hotels in Chiang Mai

"There’s a reason boutique hotel 137 Pillars House looks like the set of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. Set among galleries and cafés in the picturesque Wat Gate neighborhood, the 1889 property was once the home of Louis Leonowens, son of Anna from The King and I . Here you’ll find 30 serene suites that blend colonial charm (raffia-backed four-poster beds, herringbone teak floors) with clean, contemporary style. The public spaces are equally photoworthy, with antique rugs, bamboo furnishings, and intricately carved ceiling tiles. There’s even a lap pool bordered by a towering living wall, and an elegant, wood-clad fitness center."

"Set against manicured gardens that once housed the British consulate, Anantara’sChiang Maioutpost is a striking blend of East and West. First, there’s the structure itself—a modernist wood-and-glass box hidden behind walls of bamboo, just a few minutes’ drive to Chiang Mai’s night bazaar and Tha Pae Gate. Inside, 84 streamlined guest rooms feature terrazzo soaking tubs and minimalist teak furnishings. Then there’s the outdoor restaurant, where Peruvian and Indian cuisine coexist in dishes like snapper ceviche and tandoori lamb chops. For lighter fare, don’t miss the traditional afternoon tea, when guests can enjoy freshly prepared scones while gazing out over the Mae Ping River."

"In keeping with its location next to the night bazaar, DusitD2 is a feast for the senses. The hotel’s exterior boasts a striking network of orange outcroppings, the futuristic lobby is awash in lemon-hued lighting, and the fitness center pops with a celadon reception desk. Upstairs, the 130 guest rooms take a more subdued approach, with earth-tone carpeting and warm wood accents. The same can be said for the spa, where you can indulge in a traditional Thai massage before a dinner at Café Soi, which serves Thai street food like betel leaves stuffed with roasted coconut, dried shrimp, ginger, and lime."

"For an intimate stay amid Chiang Mai’s mega-resorts, look no further than Sala Lanna. The boutique hotel’s 16 rooms are spare but clean, with free Wi-Fi and low-key comforts like plush bathrobes and iPod docking stations. On-site laundry facilities make it an easy choice for families and guests who want to spend their time exploring Chiang Mai’s hidden corners by bicycle—a tour that can be arranged by the hotel concierge. Of course, no one would fault you if your big plans included nothing more than taking in the Mae Ping River views from the rooftop swimming pool and bar."

"You’d be hard pressed to find a more luxurious stay in the heart of the city than the Shangri-LaChiang Mai. Here, the 281 palatial rooms have all the modern comforts you crave—air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, bathrooms with separate tubs and showers—yet are elegantly appointed with silk pillows and artwork that nods to regional design. You might never leave if it weren’t for the canopied daybeds and umbrella-shaded chaises in the pool area, or the Lanna-inspired treatments in the spa, bordered by manicured gardens and a peaceful lotus pond. The hotel also claims one of the city’s best brunch buffets, a dizzying display of international cuisine from sushi to fresh-baked croissants."

"Drive 10 minutes from downtownChiang Maiand you’ll find the sanctuary of Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa, a 104-room oasis of calm that feels light years away from the old city’s tourist throngs. The property is home to more than 1,000 species of tropical plants and flowers, as well as an orchard where you can pick your own fruit each morning. In addition to cooking classes and meditation courses, there’s a rice paddy that guests can help farm, and a traditional teak huen silp slah house that hosts art and cultural events. Perhaps most inviting of all, however, is the pool, a shimmering expanse studded with fragrant frangipani trees."

"Tamarind Village Though Tamarind Village is located on one of Chiang Mai’s most touristy thoroughfares, you’d hardly guess it on arrival. A tranquil allée of arched bamboo meanders toward the romantic hotel, which sits beneath the 200-year-old tamarind tree for which it’s named. Covered walkways arranged around a network of leafy courtyards lead to 46 guest rooms, each individually decorated with locally woven textiles and bespoke furnishings. In addition to visiting the on-site spa,guests can learn how to make flower garlands, whip up Thai specialties during cooking classes, or embark on a complimentary walking tour to give alms to Buddhist monks."

"Rachamankha A stay at the adults-only Rachamankha feels like an extended visit to a supremely stylish friend’s home. Designed by interiors maven Rooj Changtrakul and renowned Thai architect Ongard Satrabhandu (who happens to be Changtrakul’s stepfather), the 24-room boutique hotel is inspired by 15th-century Lanna and features crisp white walls that offset Chinese antiques, vaulted wood ceilings, and colorful Thai silks. Serene courtyards give way to a library, an art gallery, and a poolside massage pavilion for low-key relaxation. Even the restaurant is primed to make you feel at home, serving regional comfort food like Burmese curry in an alfresco setting that reminds you why you booked here in the first place."