5 Best Hotels in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The former grounds of the British Consulate now house this waterfront oasis whose rooms and suites have private terraces overlooking either the Mae Ping River or the verdant gardens. Just steps from the river and one of the city's busiest streets, the consulate building, gleaming again with polished teak, has been restored to its original 1920s appearance in parts, though you'll now find a smart bar and chic restaurant. The rooms' furnishings deftly meld traditional and contemporary styles. Lotus ponds border the 34-meter (112-foot) pool, giving the impression of bathing in a Thai jungle clearing.

Snuggled into Mae Rim's mountains some 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above sea level, this garden oasis with tatami mats, paper doors, and wood finishes has a 108°F (42°C) onsen, rich in restorative minerals. With only 24 rooms---some with a private outdoor onsen---the atmosphere is always intimate. The on-site restaurant overlooks a magnificent view of the mountains and offers a blend of Thai and Japanese cuisines.

The luxurious rooms at this small hotel on a quiet lane near Wat Phra Singh straddle a series of hushed brick courtyards enclosed by triple-eave Lanna-style buildings. The peaceful swimming pool is embraced by a tropical walled garden. All the rooms have DVD players, safes, and free Wi-Fi, and guests can book an in-room massage. The hotel's restaurant—one of Chiang Mai's best and worth visiting even if you're not staying here—specializes in the cuisines of northern Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Note that Rachamankha is the name of the hotel, but the street is called Ratchamankha.

The magnificent Four Seasons commands 20 acres of tropical countryside above the lush Mae Rim Valley. Its terraces, pools, and 99 huge suites and villas have views of tree-studded mountains, tropical gardens, and its own manicured rice paddies. The accommodations are in clusters of Lanna-style buildings. Each suite has an outdoor sala (gazebo) ideal for breakfast or cocktails, and the villas have private pools. Rooms with polished-teak floors are furnished with richly colored fabrics and traditional art. The two restaurants, which serve beautifully presented Thai and continental dishes, overlook the valley. The spa is superb, with an open-air massage salon surrounded by rice paddies and lotus ponds.

Simple, modern, and relaxing are the words that come to mind when describing the Raya Heritage, where guests can sip evening cocktails while sitting on the bank of the sleepy Mae Ping River. The aesthetic is a contemporary take on northern Thai design, and almost everything here is sourced locally and handmade. The gift shop reflects the ethos of the hotel with an alluring curation of Chiang Mai's best crafts.