The Chedi Chiang Mai

Simply one of Northern Thailand’s most elegant, most stylish and most luxurious hotels, the Chedi combines the facilities of a luxury hotel with a highly convenient location, just a five minute walk from the famous Night Market.

The site itself was home to the former British Consulate and thus enjoys one of Chiang Mai’s prime locations, on the banks of the Mae Ping River. The main Consulate building dates back to the 1920’s and has been integrated into the hotel – it is now the location of the stylish restaurant, whose leather chairs and colonial style Afternoon Tea are designed to recreate the British club feel.

The hotel itself is characterised by a sleek, chic design, combining the feel of a resort hotel with a contemporary interpretation of traditional Thai materials. Immediately striking are the vertical timber screens which cover the street facing exterior of this four storey building. Inside the resort, rooms all face inwards to a large courtyard, which also contains the swimming pool and spa area.

Each room is accessed through a small private courtyard, designed to be reminiscent of traditional Asian living. Rooms themselves feature dark timber floors, handmade red wall tiles, terrazzo plinths along with teak and rattan furniture. The combination of dark wood, black surfaces and touches of red give the rooms an air of contemporary Asian chic.

Guests can choose between Deluxe rooms or Chedi Club Suites, the latter being twice the size of the Deluxe room, featuring an additional seating and dining area. Chedi Club Suite guests also benefit from extra privileges such as a free minibar and complimentary laundry services. Suite rooms have a stunning bathroom with free standing bathtub and sliding doors to offer views of the river. All rooms have an outdoor balcony, plasma screen televisions and Bose home entertainment systems.

The spa is a real highlight – ten treatment rooms feature heated mats on the massage beds, terrazzo bathtubs, private steam rooms all in a serene setting. There is also a fitness room as well as a small boutique. Complimentary wi-fi is fitted throughout the hotel and is even accessible by the hotel’s stylish riverside swimming pool.

The restaurant offers a choice of indoor dining – guests can either dine in the old Consulate building or in a new contemporary setting, complete with open kitchen. Those who prefer al fresco dining can sit on the veranda which overlooks the river. The restaurant offers modern Thai and international cuisine. Upstairs in the colonial house, the relaxed and chic Terrace Bar offers casual day bed seating and great views.

PRICES Prices start from £88 per person per night in a Deluxe room or £122 per person per night in a Chedi Club Suite, based on two people sharing, including breakfast.. Upgrade to Premium Economy on EVA Air from as little as an additional £175 per person per way on the London-Bangkok sectors.