The 7 most stylish places to stay and eat in Chiang Mai, Thailand
From DIY salads in a greenhouse to dining in the old British Consulate building, discover a new design-focused and health-conscious side to the northern Thai city
You probably already know the best temples to visit, where to haggle for your very own tuk-tuk souvenir made from a Chang beer can or how to find the best female ex-convict masseuses in Chiang Mai. But there is a flip side to this city’s touristic parlour tricks. Local hotels, properties and brands are catering for design-sensitive, health-conscious and sophisticated consumers.
With a great cuisine, and organic fruit and vegetables, Chiang Mai has become a haven for those looking to up their antioxidant game. And although Thailand’s love affair with all things retro stylish still rears its head, there’s a new breed of Asiatic minimalism cutting through the cobwebs, leaving nothing but bare concrete, solid oak and brass fittings in its wake.
STAY
X2, or Cross To as it’s pronounced, knows its stuff. Having stayed at its amazing River Kwai resort on a previous trip, expectations were high. X2 Nimman Villa is five floors and seven rooms of immaculate ’50s and ’60s styling. Everything is hand-picked by X2’s founder, Anthony MacDonald.
X2 treads the line between hotel and home. It feels more like a place to hang your hat, than somewhere you’d look for a complimentary chocolate on your pillow. Despite its homely demeanour the villa comes complete with meeting room, games room, a rooftop jacuzzi and breakfast. Prices depend on the season, but at time of writing (low season), the four-bedroom option costs HK$4,100 a night.