Lanna Hill House

Lanna Hill House stands on a hillside in the Mae On valley, about forty kilometres east of Chiang Mai, looking out over forested mountains and a shimmering reservoir. It is a grand teak home that blends colonial architecture with the traditions of the old Lanna Kingdom, set in around two acres of gardens with no close neighbours. The valley air is noticeably cooler than the city, which makes it a lovely retreat for families and groups of friends who want peace, space and country views within reach of Chiang Mai.

The ten-metre saltwater pool runs along the front of the house, with a shallow children’s pool beside it that doubles as a jacuzzi, and sun loungers lined up on the terrace. Beyond it, terraces, shaded salas and courtyards are dotted through landscaped gardens of flowering plants and tree groves, including a Lanna-style pavilion looking straight into the hills. The courtyard is the natural spot for an evening tea or coffee as the light fades over the valley, and the Chiang Mai Highlands golf course is only a few minutes away.

Inside, a sweeping teak staircase rises through a double-height living room furnished with leather sofas, locally woven rugs and handpicked artwork. Four air-conditioned bedrooms, three with king beds and one with twin singles, have teak floors, and several have four-poster beds draped in mosquito nets, and a crow’s nest room at the very top of the house can be made up with two singles in the cooler months. There is a games room with table tennis, a library and map room, and a team of four staff who keep the house running smoothly. A continental breakfast is included each morning, and the kitchen can cook lunch and dinner from a menu of Thai favourites and seasonal fruit.