The Best Hotels in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Unforgettable stays in Northern Thailand - the best hotels you can find in Chiang Rai
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Emerging from the mist-shrouded mountains like the rainforest that surrounds it, Chiang Rai is having its moment in the spotlight. Usually overshadowed by Chiang Mai, word is getting out about the other Chiang, Chiang Rai. This is the city that sits near the border with Laos and Myanmar, with fantastical temples and ancient Thai culture. Despite its hidden gem status, Chiang Rai punches far above its weight when it comes to accommodation, from boutique oases to luxurious jungle resorts buried deep in the mountains. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Chiang Rai.
1. RIVA VISTA
Located in central Chiang Rai, here you’ll find a sleek, cool alternative to the bamboo huts and teakwood houses that dominate Northern Thailand. Just a stone’s throw from the Kok river, this design-led hotel is a spa-like haven away from the busy streets outside. White-washed rooms are finished with warm down-lighting and soft, stone coloured linens. Bathrooms feature circular bathtubs, some with pool access and some with views out over the river below. It’s romantic in a laid back way, channelling Tulum and Bali chic rather than over-the-top luxury. The pool is equally gorgeous. Sink into soft loungers that overlook the flowing river, and cool off in the turquoise water after a day of exploring in the Thai heat. Enjoy fresh, delicious breakfasts each morning – think platters of dragonfruit, mango and lychee, baskets of bread and pastries, as well as traditional Asian rice dishes. And for when you’ve seen one too many temples, the small spa is waiting, with serene, lime-washed walls, bamboo flooring and black furniture. You’ll be zenned out before you’ve even closed your eyes.
2. Mora Boutique
From free-standing bath tubs to the complimentary bicycle hire, a stay at MORA Boutique is defined by incomparable Thai hospitality and exquisite design. The Lanna-style architecture pays homage to the city’s heritage, with black teakwood buildings and Thai artisan fabrics, without feeling stuffy or outdated. It’s located right in the heart of Chiang Rai, less than 0.5km from the Saturday Walking Street and only 700m from Wat Phra Sing, giving you plenty of opportunities to soak up the atmosphere of this ancient city. The bedrooms are clean and bright, with 4 poster beds and floor to ceiling windows that flood the space with light. The gorgeous bathrooms add more charm, with brass waterfall showers and freestanding bathtubs that staff are happy to fill with rose petals for the ultimate indulgence.
3. Four Seasons Tented Camp
Swinging open the doors of your bamboo tent, you step onto a private wooden deck. Beneath you, the Ruak river meanders through dense jungle, and you hear the call of monkeys echo through the valley. Welcome to the Four Seasons Tented Camp, where the word ‘camping’ has been redefined in its entirety. Nestled in the rainforest near the Golden Triangle – the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar – this camp is an intimate stay, with only 15 rooms and 1 lodge. Their safari-like tents are luxurious and spacious, with rustic furnishings and outdoor showers or wooden hot tubs. Each tent comes with its own private balcony with breathtaking views – yes, those are the mountains of Myanmar you can see. Attentive staff are on hand to curate the ultimate North Thailand stay for you, with a selection of experiences to immerse yourself in the nature and culture here. Perhaps you want to go into the city of Chiang Rai and explore ancient temples with a private guide, or maybe a champagne sundowner after a day of exploring the jungle in a Land Rover is more your style. End your evenings in the exquisite Nong Yao restaurant as you feast on Laotian, Thai and Burmese cuisine, before sinking into a leather sofa for a night cap in the Burma Bar.
4. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp
The stone elephants flanking the infinity pool set the tone for one of the most iconic stays in the Chiang Rai region. Cradled by the rainforest in the Golden Triangle, this 40 room, 21 suite resort has its own elephant sanctuary overlooking the border with Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Taking a morning walk with these gentle giants is just one of the bucket list experiences you can tick off while staying here. All of the rooms come with private balconies overlooking the jungle and Mekong river, decked out in calming neutral tones with indigenous artisan works adoring the walls. Surrounded by a 160-acre bamboo forest, the gardens are a tranquil oasis with unobstructed views over the valley below. There’s something otherworldly about watching the sunrise over the mist-shrouded mountains in Laos, before enjoying a fresh breakfast to the sound of macaques and the sight of flitting, jewel-coloured hummingbirds. Trek through the jungle, cruise the Mekong river in a traditional long-tail boat, before ending the night in the treetops at Canopy – a private dining experience 52m above the grasslands below.
5. Phu Chaisai Resort & Spa
Sitting quietly within the Doi Mae Salong mountains, just a 40 minute drive from Chiang Rai international airport, you’ll find Phu Chaisai Resort & Spa. Phu Chaisai literally means ‘Mountain of Clear Heart’ – and there’s no doubt this place will leave an imprint on yours. It’s the flawless result of a pioneering vision by one of Thailand’s most eminent interior designers, lovingly called Mom Da. Her deep love for this mountain valley led to the creation of a sanctuary in the jungle, where bamboo villas cascade down the lush landscape. Managed by Jason Friedman, who opened the Four Seasons Tented Camp and has worked with Aman resorts and the Peninsula in Bangkok, you know you’re getting the finest in understated luxury when you stay here. Choose from spacious mountain villas, with draped four poster beds, white-washed walls and open-air bathtubs, to the impossibly romantic Love Nest, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out onto the jungle canopy below. Harmony with nature and a deep connection to the land are at the core of Phu Chai Sai, and this is reflected in the sanctuary-like experience guests receive when staying here. You have 800 acres to explore, which includes a natural spring-fed waterfall and fruit orchard. Take a bamboo raft down the Mekong river, experience local life at Mae Salong village or simply soak in the infinity pool with panoramic views of the valley. If all that has worked up an appetite, dine on Thai, Burmese and Akha tribal cuisine in their restaurant that sits on a beautiful Koi pond, with organic produce from their own garden and local, freshwater fish.
6. Sirin Farm Boutique Farmstay
Positioned just 30 minutes from Chiang Rai airport, tucked into the foothills of forested mountains, Sirin Farm is a dream-like oasis. 10 rooms are scattered throughout the lush organic gardens, which spill onto a bubbling stream cradled by mango trees and ferns. The interiors are serene and calming, with neutral linens, natural wood and cheese plants soaring high in the corners of the rooms. Book one of their Streamside Deluxe Villas and enjoy a private terrace overlooking the water and mountains beyond. Evenings are spent enjoying cocktails around the communal fire pit, where you can chat to the few fellow travellers who are calling this place home. This is a sustainable, organic working farm, producing free-range eggs, chickens and pigs, alongside galangal, Chinese kale, holy basil and string beans, all of which can be experienced in their incredible farm-to-table restaurant.
7. Pa Sak Tong Estate
If you’re travelling with a group and you want to indulge in the finest that Northern Thailand has to offer, book one of only two villas at the Pa Sak Tong Estate. Tucked away on the outskirts of Chiang Rai, these palatial teakwood villas are set within acres of private grounds – all of which are yours only to explore during your stay. The open terraces and verandas of the Baan Sak Tong villa make the most of the views over the lotus pond and tropical greenery, overflowing with over 80 species of flora. Meander through the winding pathways and discover waterfalls, rice paddies and organic gardens, the produce of which might be cooked up for you later on by your own private chef. He’s kept company by a full team of staff dedicated to your villa, including butlers, cleaners, gardeners and security. This is a blow-the-budget stay, a place where you can experience Thai hospitality at its absolute finest. Staff will curate a bespoke itinerary for you to explore the local hill tribe villages, float down the Kok river, discover the Golden Triangle or visit an Elephant sanctuary. Afterwards, relax in the stellar private spa and sauna, or lounge in your own entertainment room. The Locus Native Food Lab is where the estate really shines. A collaboration between renowned Chef Kong – Kongwut Chaiwongkajorn and Pa Sak Tong Estate, this fine dining experience showcases the best of Northern Thai cuisine, using seasonal, organic food sourced from local farmers, fishermen and butchers. This stay is a magical, immersive experience into the heart of Northern Thailand.
Things to Do
Things to Do
