Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: 137 Pillars House
As if our trip to Chiang Mai wasn’t perfect enough, our 3 night stay in 137 Pillars Chiang Mai made it even more special. This chic 30-suite boutique property, located in the quiet Wat Gate neighborhood, was recently named as Travel and Leisure’s #1 resort hotel in Southeast Asia. Yep, no big deal. Just the leading travel publication in the world, acknowledging how amazing 137 Pillars Chiang Mai is. After staying at their sister property in Bangkok, I noticed right away the contrast between the two properties. While the Bangkok hotel boasts a modern and sleek design, the Chiang Mai hotel is full of history and character.
A little history…
The luxurious but intimate property was built around a colonial-style teak homestead built in the 1880’s. The centerpiece, once known as “The Borneo House”, was constructed by the son of Anna Leonowens – the British tutor of the King of Siam who inspired the book that turned into a movie called, “Anna and the King”. Pretty cool, right? In present time, the house is fully restored and functional, thanks to an incredible team of architectural historians and conservationists who helped preserve the authentic feel of the Lanna-style house.
Location
The location was perfect for us. Although it was just a stone’s throw away from the Old City, Ping River and a variety of restaurants and shops, the hotel is tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood making it the perfect retreat in Chiang Mai. Another plus, the airport is conveniently located 15 minutes away.
Arrival and Check-in
It’s not everyday you get picked up from the airport in a luxury car with complimentary wifi, personal tv’s, magazines, cold towels, drinks and snacks. And to top that off, our driver and butler were two of the kindest people we’ve met during our travels. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by the staff with cold towels and refreshing drinks on hand. After a quick and easy check-in, we were ushered to the Rajah Brooke Suite, our home for the next 3 days.
Rooms
The Rajah Brooke suite is exquisite to say the least. It is tastefully decorated with vintage touches that is reflective of the colonial era. Bright, airy and spacious enough for two, the suite has a king sized plush bed with a 400 thread count bed linen, climate control with ceiling fan, plush robe and slippers, personal in-room music system with iPod connectivity, 32″ flat screen tv, DVD player, in-room safe and a personal mini bar (complimentary juice, water and soda) with an espresso machine and kettle.
It also comes with a separate indoor and outdoor showers, double sinks and a stand-alone claw foot bathtub that I’m totally in love with! In addition to these amazing suite amenities, right outside is a vintage-tiled verandah with a blue covered day bed and a rattan planter’s chair, ideal for a relaxing and quiet afternoon.
One of the unique features they have for hotel guests is choosing our own custom pillows and toiletries. I wasn’t sure what that meant at first since I’ve never stayed at a hotel with this kind of personalized feature. Basically, we get to choose our own pillows based on our sleep style. Our butler, Pui showed us 4 types of pillows to select from. After we made our picks, she also asked us to choose from 2 of the fragrances we want for our toiletries. James and I loved the soothing scent of Thai Jasmine and Mint.
Amenities
Outdoor lap pool – Flanked by a stunning 45 meter wall of ivy, their outdoor pool caters to those who wish to cool off during the sweltering afternoon heat. Complimentary homemade sorbet, cool mineral water and cool towels are also available poolside. Open from 7am till 7pm.
Gym – Located beneath the teak homestead, their facility is equipped with free weights, computer controlled treadmills, elliptical and an exercise bike. Open 24 hrs daily.
Yoga – Private sessions are available on the lawn. Reservation required.
Nitra Spa and Wellness – They offer a contemporary treatment menu featuring traditional therapeutic massages and sophisticated face and body therapies. Open from 10am till 10 pm daily.
Restaurant and Bars – The Dining Room for Thai Cuisine, Palette for Western Cuisine, Jack Bain’s Bar for cocktails, The Parlor and The Lawn for afternoon tea.
Hotel Services
- Personal Butler
- Multi-lingual concierge services
- Private airport transfers with complimentary wifi
- Same day dry cleaning and laundry
- Baby sitting services
- Complimentary shoe shine
- Personalized tours and community based excursions
- Thai cooking class
- 24-hr medical professional on call
Highlights of our stay
- Our personal butler, Pui – She made our stay stress free by making sure we had everything we need. Every time we had a question, she was only a text away. We never hesitated to ask her because she made us feel comfortable.
- Gourmet breakfast buffet – I love their extensive menu. Every morning there was something new. From freshly squeezed juices, tasty Asian dishes to the American classics, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone.
- Turn down service – The thoughtful gestures by the staff – such as leaving treats (cookies & fruits), putting up mosquito coils and making sure our mini bar is well stocked – really showed how exceptional the service is at 137 Pillars Chiang Mai.
- Outdoor pool – It was hot and humid when we went in June, so we found ourselves poolside after a long and tiring day in the city.
137 Pillars House
2 Soi 1 Nawatgate Road, Chiang Mai, 50000, Thailand
Click the link to book: 137 Pillars Chiang Mai
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post and was written in collaboration with 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai. As always, all opinions are my own and unbiased.
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Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: 137 Pillars House
I think I’ve fallen totally in love with this place – you are very lucky to have stayed there! You had me at indoor and outdoor showers, but love all the extras, especially choosing the toiletries! Such fun, and luxury.
We haven’t been to Thailand but we’re dying to go. It’s quite interesting that you got to have a private butler. I don’t think I’ve heard of a hotel that has services like that. Then again, we always try to stay in more affordable places when travelling to stretch the budget.
I really loved the photos of the place. Sometimes I find those luxury hotels lacking a bit of a vibe and some special feeling, but this one really seems to have it! Thanks for sharing, I would love to stay there once.
You had me at the first picture: it looks quiet, secluted and overall beautiful! Besides, I love the idea that they can pick you up at the airport with a luxury car, that’s a huge bonus!
Oh my Goodness the first time in my life I know that there is a hotel that they can customize my style of pillows and toiletries. The photos from your experience bring me a feeling that this hotel has its own charming style, The service eems so great. Will try on a customized trip in Chiang Mai. Thanks for the details and pictures.
3 nights in 137 Pillars Chiang Mai sounds incredible – Travel and Leisure’s #1 resort hotel in Southeast Asia is a pretty big claim to fame! I love that the property is full of history and character. You really can see the authenticity of the colonial era ( I loved Anna and the King). It’s so great that it’s so close to the city, but also an escape and retreat – can’t ask for a better location. The service sounds incredible, the rooms are obviously stunning (love that bathtub!), and OMG that pool is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! Might plan a trip to Chiang Mai just to stay!
Love the decor. This place is a real treat to the eyes. Looks more like an artistic museum.
It’s great to see the before and after photos of how the building was in the colonial era and today as a hotel. The service sounds amazing, from choosing your own pillows to having lovely Pui making the stay breezy, what more could you want!
I haven’t been to Chiang Mai yet, but it’s on my incredibly long bucket list though, I’ve heard such great things. I’m in love with your lap pool and that stunning wall of ivy. The hotel is wonderful, so glad it measured up to be such a truly memorable experience.
Lovely Photos! It’s amazing how they transformed it. The rooms are so classy, i wonder how much is for a night stay in 137 Pillars House for Two persons.
The classic colonial style and interior just look so relaxing and chill that all the tension went away the moment walking in the hotel. Thanks for the sharing and I felt like I had a short cyber vacation with your post – knycx.journeying
I think I have already fallen for this place. It looks beautiful, traditional as well contemporary. The pool, wall, bar, everything looks amazing. I am surely going to check this out on my next trip to Chinag Mai.
Love the poster bed and bath tub but most especially the pool with the green wall of plants. Seems totally refreshing! Great hotel with all the little things a guest would love.
I’ve been to chang mai a few times but I never heard of this place, it looks stunning.
Wow, this post is just spectacular. I’ve been to changmai but my friends and I are talking of going back. This hotel though, it’s quite lovely. Everything seems perfect, from the pool to the interiors and everything else. I would definitely want to stay here if and when I get to return.
This is super! The Room, the bathtub, the shower, the dinning area., the pool. Everything looks so good for me! I love how they incorporate nature with modern design. It appeal so luxurious for me. This is surely a place to stay in Chang Mai