Last updated: June 06, 2024
Beautifully unique and steeped in history, 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai is a luxury boutique hotel in the charming Wat Gate area of the city with 30 incredible suites and an even more incredible backstory.
Among the towering palm trees gently swaying in the breeze, past the live plant wall at the poolside and surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges, the original teak house was once the home of Anna Leonowens featured in the world famous ‘The King and I.’
The stilts of this beautiful original Lanna style building gave 137 Pillars House its name, as the more pillars used in the construction of these 1800s property indicated the increased wealth of its occupants.
Following the pathway through the gates, we were greeted with tranquil spa vibes as soon as we were offered a cold towel and a refreshing welcome drink under the canopy and columns of the bright white colonial style reception building.
After checking in, we were shown to our room where we marvelled at the first floor Rajah Brooke Suite we were staying in. Featuring a spacious veranda with plush plump cushioning and an outdoor fan, floor-to-ceiling glass doors slid open to reveal a spacious bedroom with super (and we mean super) king-sized bed the standout feature. A quaint trolley cart, chez longue with table and chic bedside lamps added to the old school elegance.
With vintage tiles throughout, The Rajah Brooke Suite’s bathroom may be one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. With a free standing Victorian bath-tub that looked like something out of an iconic Hollywood film, the shutters behind it oozed expensive taste. My partner was delighted to find both an indoor shower and an outdoor one where you could listen to the morning and night calls of nature.
Heading out into the grounds and following the winding pathways, we headed for the outdoor pool. A dreamy, beautifully designed space, clear turquoise waters rippled against the backdrop of a vine wall which appeared to climb upwards infinitely. Here, there were cold drinks in abundance, clean towels – even sun tan lotions if you’d forgotten yours, and comfy loungers lined the terrace making it a wonderful place to relax.
Because there aren’t many suites and there’s a lot of space, 137 Pillars House retained an air of exclusivity throughout our stay, making you feel like you might be the only ones in the whole resort. With curtained cabana style day beds dotted amid several lounging spaces, the focal point from wherever you chose to spend the day, was the teak house.
With a fully equipped and air conditioned gym nestled neatly underneath it, dinner was served upstairs in the house’s enchanting Palette dining room. For a pre-dinner drink, Jack Bain’s bar was the perfect spot, whisking you away to the 19th century as your Old Fashioned was stirred and swirled around the glass’s giant central ice cube.
Palette’s cuisine was varied with both Thai and Western on the menu. Grilled river prawns which could literally have come fresh from the water along with puffed rice and fragrant crispy garlic were served with a sweet sharp sauce on a fresh green leaf.
Double cooked wagyu cheeks were tender, delicate and juicy with a decent amount of kick courtesy of the chili and hot basil, the beef crackling heightened the flavour further with added crunch. Slow cooked lamb shank was tender and fragrant, falling apart at the slightest touch, the sauce rich and delicious.
Breakfast was also served at the house, either out on the terrace alfresco style or away from the glare of the early morning sun inside. The self serve buffet selection offered a bit of everything, with coffee poured at the table and chefs on hand incase you required anything specific.
While we didn’t use the Nitra Serenity Spa during our stay, it’s a very popular feature of the 137 Pillars House residence, rooted in traditional Thai wellness techniques and offering pampering experiences which allow the body to feel revitalised and restored upon leaving.
A highly personal experience with exceptional customer service was always a priority during our stay at 137 Pillars House and we took full advantage of our personal concierge Toto who became a popular What’s App contact while we were in Chiang Mai. Whatever we needed, a prompt reply arrived with the information we required within seconds, along with a full list of restaurants and bars in the area in case we were heading out.
It’s unlikely you’ll have stayed anywhere quite like 137 Pillars House and for that reason you should. The history of the grounds is documented under the main house with images and artefacts which will really transport you back to 1800’s Thailand. Authentic and luxurious, it’s an absolute must-stay if you’re visiting Chiang Mai.
Find out more and book your room here.
