The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai

The atmosphere at the Dhara Dhevi is one of complete refined elegance. Antiques, beautiful Lanna Thai tapestries, and teak floors adorn the lobby area and rooms. The architecture and grounds are works of art to marvel at, and this luxury property attracts well-heeled travelers wanting an exclusive and pampering stay. As the resort is outside of town and set on 60 spacious and quiet rural acres, it doesn't attract or welcome party animals. Though the atmosphere mostly draws couples, families are also in abundance here, attracted by the large pool areas, kids' club, and safe grounds.

Active travelers will likely appreciate the free bicycles (useful for getting around the immense property), as well as the great fitness facilities and tennis courts. Even though rates here are high, the atmosphere isn't stuffy or pretentious.

The Dhara Dhevi is located on 60 acres of country landscape, overlooking rice paddy fields and tropical foliage. Although it's only a 10- to 15-minute drive from town without traffic, one feels worlds away from Chiang Mai. While the resort is not in the best location for those who want to experience the old city or the downtown party scene, it is the perfect location for those seeking peace, quiet, and solitude. Additionally, the airport is only 10 to 15 minutes away by car, making for easy arrival and departure.

Every room here is gorgeous, so the only dilemma will be choosing which one to book. The Colonial Wing of the hotel houses plush suites with separate living rooms, period furniture, huge jetted bathtubs, and floor-to-ceiling terrace doors looking out on the gardens and pools. The villas offer more privacy, and are reconstructed traditional northern Thai rice barns. Each features an outdoor terrace, and despite their rustic charm, offer modern conveniences such as free Wi-Fi, spa baths, and signature toiletries. The Deluxe Villas have private plunge pools overlooking working rice paddies, and rain showers indoors. Rooms are the largest in town, starting at a whopping 1,000 square feet.

The Dhara Dhevi wows guests with its abundant features. For fine dining, visitors can choose from elegant French cuisine in Farang Ses and candlelit royal Thai dinners at the lovely pond-side Le Grand Lanna, where traditional Thai musicians play nightly. There is also excellent Chinese at Fujian, and the Dhara Dhevi Cake Shop is noted for having the best macaroons in Thailand. The Horn Bar offers signature drinks surrounded by Burmese masks, and has ambient lighting after dark. Other features here include a state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, the superb swimming pools and spa (see below), and the amazingly well-stocked Jum Sri Hall Library, which has over 5,000 titles and is surely the largest hotel collection in Asia.

The Dheva Spa is the crown jewel of the resort. It resembles a Burmese temple complex and takes up over 3,100 square meters. The 25 treatment rooms have heated marble scrub tables (resembling those in a Turkish hammam) as well as steam showers. Some of the rooms even have Vichy showers and offer hydrotherapy treatments. Signature treatments include northern Thai Lanna massage and warm oil Indian Ayurvedic routines.

The Dhara Dhevi features two large swimming pools to cool off in, with the mammoth Colonial Pool being the most visually stunning. Set underneath the stupas of what looks like a giant Burmese temple complex, the emerald water and unworldly setting feels like something right out of a movie set. While this pool is the most dramatic, visitors also like the quieter Loy Kham Pool, which has a whirlpool area, tropical garden surroundings, and views of the rice paddy fields. Poolside bars and service are available at both locations.

The Dhara Dhevi hosts elaborate Lanna wedding parties, where the bride and groom wear fine silk costumes and are transported to the wedding ceremony by elephant or horse and carriage. The bride and groom are accompanied by a colorful and raucous procession full of musicians and dancers, and all the rites and protocol of a traditional northern Thai wedding are followed. It's surely one of the most memorable experiences a couple could ever have.

Despite being located in an out of town country setting, the Dhara Dhevi offers some of the most gourmet dining options in Chiang Mai. The Farang Ses French restaurant has fine French gastronomy, in an intimate teak house overlooking the rice fields. Le Grand Lanna dishes out classic Thai as well as northern Thai specialties and sits in a wooden pavilion over a pond under the moonlight, with live traditional musicians performing each evening. Fujian is the hotel's Chinese restaurant, set in a Sino-Portuguese styled two-story mansion, serving fine Cantonese lunch and dinner. There is also the Dhara Dhevi Cake Shop which is a Victorian tea salon that makes Thailand's best macaroons along with homemade ice cream, cakes, and pastries.