Rachamankha

Family-owned and operated, this antiques-filled boutique hotel offers an oasis in the heart of Chiang Mai.

• Suite 26, for its sprawling balcony
• The exceptional Lanna, Burmese and Shan cuisine spiced however you like it
• The small but well-edited boutique

This family-owned, antiques-filled boutique hotel is an oasis in the heart of Chiang Mai. The building, designed by one of Thailand’s most celebrated architects (Ong-ard Satrabhandhu) and the equally eye-catching interiors represent the owning family’s desire to beautify Chiang Mai’s cityscape by exploring the design vocabulary of the city’s golden age. Thus, the architecture combines a reverence for vernacular Chinese dwellings as well as Northern Thailand’s Lanna temples.

If you can, reserve Suite 26. It’s located above the well-stocked (though unfortunately not air-conditioned) library. The suite opens onto a large private balcony, with views of the swimming pool and tropical gardens. Another strategic choice is Suite 24, located through a rather unassuming doorway to the right of the entrance courtyard. Art in this living space includes several cherished pieces from the owner’s private collection.

The restaurant is a treasure-filled respite, with Ming Dynasty porcelain and Qing Dynasty furniture. On the second floor above the restaurant, the hotel gallery is a mini-museum of the region’s Lanna culture and history. This ever-changing display of antiques and objects reflect North Thailand’s fast disappearing cultures and traditions.

The hotel has long employed and trained local people and, as much is as possible, buys produce from the local markets and uses the services of Chiang Mai businesses. The Thai owners also actively promote local artists and artisans by featuring their work in the hotel’s must-see boutique. In these and other ways, this hotel exemplifies an awareness and sensitivity necessary for culture to be preserved and appreciated by people from around the world.

Cultural travelers seeking authentic accommodations and good value and those who want to be closer to town. This property is less family-oriented than Chiang Mai’s resort options, but instead offers high Thai design and prime access to the city’s urban endowments.