Looking to read a detailed 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai hotel review before booking your next trip to northern Thailand? You’ve come to the right place!
Nestled in a leafy residential enclave, 137 Pillars House is an award-winning five star luxury boutique hotel in Chiang Mai.
The postcard-perfect beautifully appointed 30 suite urban resort showcases the city’s rich colonial past. It is housed in an original teak homestead that dates back to the 1800’s. Staying here is truly is a history buffs dream holiday!
I stayed at the hotel for 3 nights in one of the properties chic suites. My 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai resort review features helpful info on the boutique hotels accommodation options, spa services, restaurant menus, and unique on-site amenities.
Book A Luxurious Holiday at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai
The boutique 30-suite 137 Pillars House first opened its doors to luxury travellers in March, 2012.
The celebrated boutique hotel in Chiang Mai has won a number of prestigious awards over the years, including the highly coveted Travel + Leisure Magazine’s “No 1 spot in The Best Resort Hotels in Southeast Asia” in 2016 and 2017.
The lovingly restored teak homestead, around which the hotel is built, has a rich colonial heritage and originally sat on 137 pillars, hence the name. It dates back to the late 1800’s when it was the northern headquarters of the British East Borneo Trading Company who worked in forestry. The office was opened by Louis Leonowens whose mother was a British teacher in the Royal Thai Court (Anna and the King).
The house served as a residence of the manager until 1927 and in the post WWII years, was sold to a Scotsman, William Bain who joined the company. William’s son Jack followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the company and raised his family on the grounds.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Resort Activities
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai is one of northern Thailand’s most iconic resorts. The property features 30 upscale suites, perfect for a romantic honeymoon or relaxing retreat.
The 5 star resort boasts a tranquil outdoor 25 x 5.5 metre pool, which is heated in the cooler winter months. The wooden deck plays home to a parade of comfy chaise lounges where guests enjoy soaking in the sun while sipping craft cocktails.
Nitra Serenity Centre is the hotel’s wellness spa. Guests can pamper themselves at Nitra by enjoying a relaxing Thai massage, body scrubs, facials and reiki.
The nearby gym is the perfect place to keep fit on holiday featuring multi-station free unit and free weights as well as treadmills, elliptical trainer, and exercise bike.
The hotel’s 3 culinary concepts offer a diversity of dining options to gastronomes looking to enjoy a memorable culinary journey with dishes that showcase a refined east meets west.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Hotel Review Highlights
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand and a must-visit destination for visitors to Thailand. The historic old city is surroudned by ancient walls and a moat that offers history, art and architecture lovers over 40 Buddhist temples to hop around to.
It’s also a popular destination for freshly married couples looking to book a romantic honeymoon. The cooler weather, jungle vibe and concentration of elephant sanctuaries makes it a unique destination compared to the beach hotspots found south in Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi.
Before booking your trip here are a list of highlights that make 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai stand out from the rest.
- 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai is ranked as one of the best luxury boutique hotels in Asia. Worthy of a serious splurge!
- History buffs will swoon for the hotel’s historic teak building, which has been painstakingly restored. Stroll under the building and you’ll find a fitness centre as well as glass display cases that showcase ancient pottery and religious relics discovered during the buildings excavation.
- The hotel’s 30 chic suites feature plush king sized beds, bar cart, white marble bathroom, soaker tub, indoor shower and outdoor rain shower. You’ll also find spacious balconies outfitted with a comfy day bed and rocking chair.
- The historic boutique hotel is located outside of Chiang Mai’s old town, offering a restful and relaxing vibe. It’s also a short walk to Wororot Market, a must-visit for those looking to buy traditional crafts and clothing made in Thailand.
- The service here is top drawer, from poolside servers to attentive spa therapists, and restaurant menus that are best described as exquisite!
- When guests check in a butler shares their Whatsapp number so you can message them throughout your stay with any concierge-style requests. You can also quickly adjust restaurant meal times, spa appointments or taxi hires via a quick text.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Accommodation
The most important question you have to ask yourself when reading a 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai review is, “what type of accommodation would I like to book for my holiday.”
The all suite boutique hotel in Chiang Mai is a dream for luxury travellers who have an appreciation for historic restoration. Conservationists worked meticulously to reinforce the integrity of the original structure. Guests enjoy a magical nostalgic ambiance, along with the latest modern conveniences and personal butler service.
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Spacious suites are exquisitely appointed, featuring high ceilings, large walk in wardrobes, stunning bathrooms outfitted with free standing Victoria tubs, dual washbasins, separate indoor and outdoor showers, 400 thread count bed linen, ultra-comfortable four poster beds, vintage tiled verandahs with large daybeds and rocking chairs.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Spa
The Nitra Serenity Centre is the calming spa concept at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai.
Nitra Spa offers a contemporary treatment menu featuring unique signature ceremonies, sophisticated, face and body therapies and traditional therapeutic massages, which embrace cultural Thai specialties.
Guests can purchase spa products to take home from the retail store. Romantic couples looking to perfect their skills can also take private lessons in the timeless techniques of Thai massage.
Highlights from the Nitra Spa menu include Traditional Thai Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Sandalwood Wrap, and Rejuvenating Facial Treatment.
Those seeking a restorative wellness holiday have access to a nearby gym. It’s the perfect place to keep fit on holiday featuring multi-station free unit and free weights as well as treadmills, elliptical trainer, and exercise bike. Private fitness classes can also be arranged for Thai Boxing, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Kung Fu.
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137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Restaurants & Bar
No 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai review is complete until you’ve had an opportunity to wag your finger down each of the hotel’s marvelous menus.
The luxury boutique hotel in Chiang Mai offers discerning guests 3 culinary concepts, The Dining Room, Palette and Jack Bain’s Bar. We also highly recommend celebrating the British tradition of High Tea hosted at The Parlour or on The Lawn.
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The Dining Room
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Dining Room offers a stylish and comfortable environment to savour recipes made with fresh ingredients.
Diverse and accommodating menus offer classic Thai fare meant to be shared and seasonally inspired international dishes, all showcasing the distinctive harvests of local farmers and the Royal Projects. You can dine in or go al fresco on the adjacent courtyard overlooking pretty tropical gardens.
Highlights from The Dining Room’s menu include Tom Kha Gai, Som Tum Goong, Wagyu Pad Ka Prao, Gaen Kiew Waan Goong and deep-fried Kataifi.
Palette
Palette is an intimate restaurant that seats up to 24 diners and features artwork by local Thai artists.
The restaurant serves western dishes and can also be booked exclusively for private functions and special occasions. It serves dinner daily and is located within the historic teak homestead next door to the retail shop. Several nights a week a local pianists performs on a grand piano outside the restaurants main entrance.
Highlights from the Palette menu at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai include Mango Tuna Tartar, Tagliatelle Bolognese, creamy Prawn Linguine and Pumpkin Soup.
Jack Bain’s Bar
A colourful Scottish character somewhat reminiscent of Indiana Jones, his legend lives on in the bar named after him and is a signature outlet in all 137 Pillars properties. He and his family were the last inhabitants of the old house.
Enjoy craft cocktails, premium whiskeys, sabered champagne and bespoke spirits, which can be enjoyed in a nostalgic, historical atmosphere that harks back to the golden age of happy hours at gentlemen’s clubs.
A perfect place to relax, read, play backgammon or catch up and share exploits and adventures with other guests. Listen to the hotels pianist while enjoying pre-dinner drinks, a nightcap or leisurely drinks.
The cocktail list at Jack Bain’s Bar is perhaps one of the most impressive you’ll find anywhere in Thailand. The lengthy list offers a nod to the talent of the hotel’s friendly mixologists.
Highlights from the bars craft cocktail menu include The Old House made with chrysanthemum infused gin, The Garden herbaceousness muddled with dill, thyme and lemon fennel, plus the tropical Nithra made with ping gin, pineapple & lychee juices and rose syrup.
Afternoon Tea at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai
Enjoy a classic afternoon tea service served in the style that Chiang Mai’s early foreign visitors enjoyed, with bespoke tea and coffee blends and delicious delicacies.
You can partake of these scrumptious pleasures in the Parlour in the old house, on the exquisitely manicured Lawn or in your suite, whatever you prefer. For the ultimate experience, add a bottle of champagne, sabered in the traditional style with a ceremonial sword.
Fun Things To Do In Chiang Mai
It’s important to take a break from tanning by the pool to explore all that Chiang Mai has to offer! Book a fun tour or authentic Thai experience to make your visit unforgettable!
- Paramotor Ride: thrill seekers can take to the skies on 15 minute flights overlooking rural Chiang Mai via paramotor.
- Chiang Mai Sunrise Hot Air Balloon: splurge on an unforgettable 3 hour sky-high tour over Chiang Mai in a hot air balloon.
- Thai Cooking Classes: foodies visiting Chiang Mai should book a fun cooking class to learn how to make some of your favourite authentic dishes from Northern Thailand.
- Chiang Dao Kayaking: enjoy an adventurous and active day trip from Chiang Mai to go kayaking, caving and hiking in the jungle at Chiang Dao.
- Doi Inthanon National Park: this 8 hour tour departs from Chiang Mai and visits one of Thailand’s most famous nature parks. You’ll visit a Hmong Market, Twin Pagodas, and scenic waterfalls.
- Elephant Nature Park: is a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants in Chiang Mai, co-founded by Sangduen “Lek” Chailert. The parks provide sanctuary for rescued elephants and operate under a business model in which tourists pay to visit and help care for the animals, and can stay for extended periods.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai Contact
2 ถนน NHA Wat Kaet 1 Alley, 66-53-247-788
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