Where is it? On the west bank of the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai, in a location that proved less than auspicious in March 2005; the river burst its banks six weeks after the hotel opened, forcing a year-long closure. All is well now though and the Chedi is one of the best luxury properties in northern Thailand.
What's the set-up? Accommodation is divided into two types - 52 deluxe rooms and 32 Chedi Club suites.
Deluxe rooms are 50 square metres, including a balcony, while suites are slightly more than twice that. The decor could be described as Thai-modern, with enough local influence for what international hotel firms like to call a 'sense of place'.
A modern, impressive but unimposing L-shaped structure houses all 84 rooms and suites. With just a
hint of Frank Lloyd Wright, it centres around what was once the main building of the British consulate, which opened in 1884 and closed in 1978. In the grounds there is a long swimming pool framed by sun loungers on two levels, from which guests can enjoy views across the river.
What's on the menu? The main dining venue, called The Restaurant, is housed on two floors in the handsomely renovated consulate building. As well as dinner, a traditional English-style afternoon tea is served on its verandah. A three-tiered selection of pastries, quiche, sandwiches and scones with clotted cream and jam is on offer with a menu of fine teas, including Assam Irish Malt and Darjeeling Jungpana. It's highly reasonable at 700 baht (HK$170) for two, and worth doing even if you're staying elsewhere. The building also contains a couple of bars and a cigar lounge.