Luxury Villas in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the heart of northern Thailand, a city of more than three hundred temples set in a broad valley ringed by forested mountains. The old city, enclosed by a moat and the remains of its ancient walls, is a maze of quiet lanes, golden chedis and small cafés, and the pace of life is gentler than Bangkok’s. The north has its own Lanna heritage, seen in the carved teak temples, the food and the crafts sold in the markets.

The temples are the great attraction, from Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang in the old city to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, perched on the mountain above town with views across the valley. The Sunday Walking Street and the Night Bazaar are lively evenings out, and the surrounding countryside offers waterfalls, rice terraces, cooking schools, ethical elephant sanctuaries and Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain.

Villas around Chiang Mai are usually set in gardens on the edge of the city or among the hills and rice fields just beyond it, combining traditional northern architecture with modern comfort and private pools. They suit families and groups who want culture, food and countryside as well as time to relax, and the city is a short flight from Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Samui, making it an easy addition to a beach holiday.