137 Pillars House
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand
At a Glance
Beautiful design full of old world style and vintage Oriental accents
Nestled in a beautiful lush tropical garden in the heart of Chiang Mai
Delicious Thai cuisine using only the best locally sourced ingredients full of vibrant and heady spices
Stunning 25 metre infinity pool
Holistic spa with traditional Thai massage and relaxing therapies
Just a 15-minute walk from the famous night bazaar
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
The best time to visit Chiang Mai is between October and April. The monsoon season traditionally begins in May and lasts through to October, with July to September usually being the time of heaviest rain. The hottest month is April, when temperatures can hit the 40s. The cooler months of November to January will be a good time to travel if you don't like the heat, with the average day temperature slightly below 30°C.
Insider's View
An intimate small resort with a story to tell.
Enjoy afternoon tea in their swinging chairs in the garden
Visit the Thai restaurant between 6-9pm for a live pianist perfomance
To start planning your holiday to 137 Pillars House
Description
137 Pillars House has the feel of being secluded in a secret and lush tropical garden in the heart of Chiang Mai. This hidden gem has an old world charm, transporting you to times gone by with the history of the main house.
137 Pillars is wonderfully located in Wat Gate district near the banks of the Ping River, with easy access to all of the cultural and heritage sites of Chiang Mai. The area of Wat Gate was so named for the Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple, a traditional Thai complex with a multitude of pagodas, on the doorstep of 137 Pillars.
All of the 30 suites in this boutique hotel are sympathetically designed in line with the building’s interesting history dating back to 1889. Complete with roll top baths, elegant four poster beds, beautiful teak furnishings and stunning Oriental accents, each room is completely unique and a work of art in itself.
Warmly welcoming guests back each evening after days exploring the ancient sites, guests can take advantage of the tranquil 25-metre swimming pool set alongside a beautiful garden wall. Yoga, meditation and a fully equipped gym are available to pamper body and mind. Expert therapists are on hand at the spa or even in the privacy of your own suite with therapies such as Thai and Aromatherapy massages to revitalise and rejuvenate.
Dining at 137 Pillars House is a picturesque affair with each venue being stunningly situated either on the veranda, around the infinity pool, in the lush tropical grounds, or in the beautifully decorated dining rooms. Cuisine includes gourmet and fragrant Thai dishes, full of heady spices coupled with fantastic modern European menus.
Being so close to the centre of all the action in Chiang Mai, it means you are ideally located to explore the second biggest city in Thailand. The night bazaar and china town are about a 15-minute walk away and there are restaurants and bars within a 5-minute stroll.
Accommodation
All 30 suites are absolutely stunning in design, complete with enormous four poster beds or generous twin beds, sunlit bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, dual washbasins and in some suites, separate indoor/outdoor showers. Like the Rajah Brooke Suite and Borneo Suite, the larger, William Bain Terrace Suite benefits from an airy, vintage tiled veranda but with the added luxury of a separate living room. The Louis Leonowens Pool Suite goes one step further with its own private plunge pool and views over the infinity pool, garden wall and historic pillars house.
| Rajah Brooke Suite | Over 70sqm in size and features a king bed, a furnished veranda and an en-suite bathroom with a free standing Victorian bath and separate indoor/outdoor showers. The rooms overlook the tropical gardens. |
| East Borneo Suite | Measures about 75sqm and is accessed by a private corridor. Features either a king bed or twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with a free standing Victorian bath and separate indoor/outdoor showers. The suites have verandah overlooking the tropical gardens. |
| William Bain Terrace Suite | These two suites measure 100sqm and have views of the historic pillars house, infinity pool and garden wall from the upper floor. There is a separate king bedroom and living area as well as a verandah. The en-suite has a sunken bath looking out to the gardens. |
Childcare
Children are welcomed at 137 Pillars House and interconnecting suites are available for families. However, it does have quite a grown up feel to it and there are probably other properties better suited to families in Chiang Mai.
Facilities
137 Pillars House offers three separate dining venues. The Dining Room serves beautifully balanced Thai dishes alongside seasonally inspired international menus which showcase the local organic produce. The Palette restaurant is located in the hotel’s original teak homestead dating back to the 1800s and serves light and imaginative menus. Choose to sit in the main restaurant or opt for dinner in the intimate Wine Cellar or private open-air veranda.
With old school glamour, The Palour Lounge serves long leisurely afternoon high tea by the infinity pool or on The Lawn and for sundowners, Jack Bain’g Bar provides perfectly crafted cocktails.
137 Pillars House has a lovely holistic spa, with treatments and beauty rituals that utilise products that are entirely locally sourced and only use organic ingredients for a truly pampered experience. On top of this there is a 25 metre swimming pool and fully equipped gym with yoga and meditation classes.
Activities
Located in one of the most culturally rich cities in the world there are a whole host of tours and activities available around the city and through the ancient ruins that can be easily arranged by 137 Pillars House.
Reviews
Arthur Pope (Staff)
This was a lovely property, a standout even among Chiang Mais standout selection of options. The secret garden charm of the grounds, which marry historic feeling classic Thai opulence with effortlessly classy feeling modern luxury should meet even the most discerning guests expectations. Everything here is beautifully designed and executed, and the boutique size makes one feel they are truly somewhere special. The layout emanates calm. Villas come with private butlers who are warm and informative. The dining facilities are nothing short of gorgeous, and in the evenings they have live piano.
Katie Kennard (Staff)
This boutique hotel is beautifully aligned. Each room is its own separate cabin, giving it a real travellers vibe. The pool is beautiful, surrounded by an ivy wall. The dining area is very quirky. The hotel is certainly very hip.
Clare Barratt (Staff)
Head here if you want to stay somewhere with some history. It has a very colonial feel to it, not contemporary style at all. As it only has 30 rooms it is quite intimate and you can walk everywhere within the resort which is a blessing. It is also just a 15-minute walk from the night bazaar or about a 5-minute walk to some local restaurants, so you can feel separated from the city amongst the tranquillity of the resort, yet you are only steps away from it.
Experiences
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A Morning with the Monks
Explore the spiritual side of Northern Thailand, visiting some of Chiang Mai's most sacred sites. Witness the daily alms giving for the monks, take in the views from Wat Doi Suthep and venture into the mysterious tunnels beneath Wat Umong.
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Chiang Mai City Temples
This half day tour takes in Chiang Mai's best known and most impressive temples. Accompanied by your own English-speaking guide, learn more about the history of Chiang Mai and northern Thai culture and craftsmanship.
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Chiang Mai Night Street Food
No trip to Thailand is complete without sampling some of the country's mouth-watering cuisine. Spend a lively evening in the vibrant Chiang Mai street food market, enjoying the wonderful array of traditional dishes and local delicacies on offer.
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Chiang Mai Segway Experience
Enjoy a segway experience and explore the city in a different way! Drive your own personal vehicle and head to the main cultural sights of Chiangmai.
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Cycling Wiang Khum Kham to Ban Tawai
Venture out into the beautiful Chiang Mai countryside on a bicycle to explore ancient ruins, local villages and the lush landscape. This route offers a lovely way to learn more about northern Thai history, culture and rural lifestyle.
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Doi Inthanon Waterfalls Walk
Head out of the city into the lush green countryside for a day of adventure in Doi Inthanon National Park. During this experience you will have the opportunity to meet local hilltribes, try and spot wildlife, and of course take in the beautiful scenery.
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Elephant Discovery Camp
Spend the day with three female elephants, learning about the species' behaviour and their relationship with the northern Thai people.
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Pantawan Cooking Class in Thai Teakwood House
Partake in a Thai cooking class based in a traditional teak house in a beautiful garden and organic farm on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Here at Pantawan discover the wonders behind Thai food and just how much thought and creativity is used to make it.
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Wat Rong Khun
Wat Rong Khun, or rather the White Temple as it is better known as amongst foreigners, is located between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and is a rather spectacular temple, very different from the many others in the area.
Holiday Ideas
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Epic Laos and Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pakbeng, Luang Prabang, Bangkok
from £4800 pp inc flights & transfers for 11 nights
- Get set for an “off the beaten track” journey through two exciting and culturally rich countries full of beautiful golden temples and memorable sunsets
- Cycle, paddle, hike and swim through lush countryside and dense jungle and come face to face with Asia’s gentle giant…the elephant!
- Cruise down the famous Mekong River, watching the world go by whilst sipping cocktails from the comfort of your luxurious river boat
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Thailand in Depth
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Khao Sok, Khao Lak
from £5700 pp inc flights & transfers for 16 nights
- A trip that covers ancient history and also explores Thailand's role in one of the biggest global occurrences of the 20th Century - World War II
- This can be completely tailored to your interests, be that in wildlife, active pursuits, or fitting in as many temples as you can!
- A perfect first timer's trip to a variety of unique locations in Thailand, or perfect for returners who want a more in-depth look at this fascinating country.
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Ultimate Thailand
Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai & Phuket
from £5400 pp inc flights & transfers for 12 nights
- Gain a new insight and appreciation of authentic Thai ingredients and flavours as you sample delicacies at traditional food stands and fresh produce at colourful floating markets
- Indulge in some of life’s more simple pleasures such as cocktails high above the city skyline in Bangkok and shopping for kitsch souvenirs at the famous night bazars
- Hike through jungle and even bathe with Thailand’s famous gentle giants…the elephant! And dive underneath the surface to discover a colourful marine underworld teeming with exotic fish and corals
Location & directions
Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand
137 Pillars House is located in Wat Gate district along the Ping River in Chiang Mai.
How to get there
11-hour international flight to Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport, followed by a 1-hour domestic flight to Chiang Mai International Airport. 137 Pillars is about a 20-minute drive from the airport.
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