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 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.

Nature lovers are well catered to at this remote lodge, a simple riverside resort isolated in woodland a 15-minute drive south of Lampang's bright lights. The basic but comfortable rooms are in Thai-style wooden pavilions near a small lake, where you can untie a dinghy from the jetty and row around among lotus blossoms, ducks, and noisy geese. The large airy restaurant is often crammed with tour groups, but you shouldn't have a problem securing a quiet corner. To get away from the crowds, meander over the swaying bridge to the riverside restaurant and bar.

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.