HOTSPOT: CHIANG MAI & CHIANG RAI


Chiang Mai &Chiang Rai T


NORTHERN GEMS


This is the best place to interact with elephants at various camps which off er tourist programmes. ‘Chiang’ is a corruption of ‘Chang’, the Thai word for elephant. Smaller and more laid-back, Chiang Rai has a frontier feel and it’s near the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Burma scenically meet around the Mekong river. The countryside here has a beautiful ‘inland sea’ with fi elds peppered with limestone ‘islands’ – best explored on a


leisurely river cruise by longtail boat. Deeper into the


CHIANG MAI


north, the up-and-coming riverside town of Pai serves up biking and tubing


opportunities along with a chilled arty vibe.


The far north of Thailand is also its cultural heartland. It has an interesting ethnic mix, partly infl uenced by its proximity to Burma. Hill tribes with diff ering traditions and colourful dress can


RECENT


ADDITIONS SIREEAMPAN RESORT & SPA


This 11-suite manor- style resort has a piano lounge, wine cellar and business centre. Rooms off er Apple TV, iPod/iPad docking and complimentary mini-bars. ‘Anytime breakfast’ can be delivered in a hamper. sireeampan.com


MÖVENPICK HOTELS & RESORTS


Mövenpick reopened its Suriwongse Hotel in


Chiang Mai following refurbishment. A Mövenpick Samoeng is planned for the city. möevenpick-hotels.com


AMARI BURIRAM UNITED


Thailand’s only


football-themed hotel opened in 2014 in Buriram, a 50-minute fl ight from Bangkok and close to a famous stadium. 60 rooms face a football fi eld and pool. Bathrooms resemble changing rooms. amari.com/ buriram-united


THAILAND


hailand’s second city is a diff erent world to Bangkok, where the pace is slightly slower but the attractions no less vibrant. Chiang Mai is the gateway to a world of adventure and a host of experiences in the hilly north, such as hiking, biking and white-water rafting, while little sister Chiang Rai is a cultural treasure trove


be encountered on hikes or selling quality handicrafts at Chiang Mai’s famous market. The north also has its own cuisine, with sticky rice the must try, preferably while sitting cross-legged before a full Khantoke feast.


TOP TIPS 1 Hotels can advise on joining the


atmospheric dawn ritual of giving alms to monks at local temples, including famous hilltop Doi Suthep, and may prepare food off erings for tourists to


take. 2 UNESCO-listed Sukhothai, the 13th and 14th century capital of Thailand, is a northern site often toured by bike.


3 A popular tourist dare is to try the northern snack of deep fried insects. Chiang Rai’s night market is a


good spot for crickets and beer. 4 Chiang Mai has a daily night market, but for quality handicrafts a city stay should include a Sunday.


UP AND


COMING AKYRA MANOR CHIANG MAI


In the pipeline for 2015, this AHMS group hotel will feature 29 suites and residences and will be situated amid the bars and eateries of Chiang Mai’s trendy


Nimmanhaemin Road. An organic rooftop plant nursery will help it grow many of its own ingredients. ahmshotels.com


OTHER


CHOICE VERANDA CHIANG MAI With a rice terrace and lofty countryside views from the infi nity pool, this hotel off ers a calming respite from the city.


Accommodation is in around 70 rooms including pavilions. Highlights include a kids' club, free cultural activity programme, yoga classes and daily afternoon tea.


verandaresortandspa. com/chiangmai


21


CHIANG RAI


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32