The Rachamanka is a superb little boutique hideaway, designed by two of Thailand's foremost architect-designers, who have collected antique pieces of furniture from northern Thailand and Burma, and woven them carefully into a treasury of Lanna art and Chinese antiquities. The Rachmanka is an ideal hotel for people in need of rest and relaxation. The design of the hotel is taken from of one Thailand 's most beautiful old temples and planned according to ancient principles of Chinese architecture. The interior design is based on northern Thai Lanna culture, which is a blend of Chinese, Laotian and Burmese influences. There are 18 Superior rooms, 4 Deluxe rooms, and 1 Two-Bedroom suite. Each guest room is slightly different, designed in a contemporary Chinese - Thai style. Within the hotel you have an attractive Thai restaurant and a Swimming pool. T he location is in the heart of Chiang Mai's old town, and a few steps away from the ornate temple of Wat Phra Singh , and within easy distance of the river and just a few minutes to the busy markets.

>>> Package programme: Chiang Mai Thai Style.

Due to re-open in march 2006 – after forced to undergo major repairs due to heavy flooding damage in summer 2005, The Chedi is located in the heart of Chiang Mai, on the banks of the Mae Ping River . Within a short walk you have the famous night market, and some of the up market boutiques and galleries which abound in this fascinating city. The style of the hotel looks to be minimalist, with a ‘less is more style', with the emphasis on clean simple lines. There will be a total of 52 deluxe rooms, extremely spacious, with en suite bathrooms, and sitting area, balcony with day bed. In addition there are 32 one bedroom Club Suites, which have an additional lounge and kitchen area. Resort facilities planned will include Spa, fitness centre and swimming pool, library. There will be a speciality restaurant offering contemporary Asian and Western cuisine.

>>> Package programme: Chiang Mai Life Style.

Formerly known as The Regent, this is one of the most established and luxurious resorts in the region, offering a combination of tasteful accommodation and a wonderful location overlooking a working rice field. Resort facilities include 64 elegantly appointed pavilions and 16 magnificent residences d esigned in the traditional style of a “Lanna” village , a choice of speciality restaurants, one main swimming pool and another smaller version at rice field level, gym and tennis courts. In addition the resort has its own highly recommended spa and a very well appointed cooking school where you can discover the delights of Thai cuisine.

>>> more on the Four Seasons>>> Package programme: Enchanting Luxury

NEW! Mandarin Orient Dhara Dhevi Resort
Location: San Kamphaeng, 20 minutes drive from city centre.

The new and stunning resort, opened in December 2004, is a member of the Mandarin Oriental Group and the sister hotel of the world-renowned Oriental Bangkok. Spread over 60 acres of serene, natural landscapes with picturesque rice paddies and exotic trees, t he resort's unique design draws from the region's rich architectural and cultural heritage that flourished throughout the region. The Resort comprises of 144 luxurious colonial suites , pavilions & villas , residences and theme suites. Facilities include the Dheva Spa, 2 large swimming pools, 4 restaurants, lounge bar, cooking school, health club, library, ballrooms and meeting rooms and shop houses with high quality handicrafts, antiques and textiles.

Anantara Golden Triangle Resort
Location: At the Golden Triangle, 45 minutes drive north of Chiang Rai, 3 ? hours drive
from Chiang Mai.

The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort is wonderfully positioned overlooking the Mekong River and the borders of Laos and Myanmar . It is a low-rise, resort-style building that blends in well with the surroundings and offers an oasis of ambiance and tranquillity. The hotel is built in luxurious Lanna style and exclusively furnished with rich teak wood. All 90 rooms have a contemporary Thai touch, wooden floor bedrooms and marble bathrooms with shutters to open up to the bedroom and views beyond. Each room has a balcony of fering a view that takes in three countries . There are indoor and outdoor terraced restaurants serving Thai and International cuisine, as well as the Elephant bar offering Traditional Thai music in the evenings. Resort facilities include an attractive swimming pool, and a Thai cooking school as well as spa. Anantara's unique feature is t he mahout (elephant driver) training school, conducted at an elephant camp that is part of the 65 hectare resort. The three-day course costs 10,000 Thai baht and includes four hours of tuition each day. Shorter one or two-day courses cost 4,000 baht a day. The full course (which includes a final driving test) also covers the daily care of an elephant, feeding it and "the mahout lifestyle".

Opposite the hotel is the Opium Exhibition Hall. This is the world's leading exhibit on opiate use around the world. We strongly recommend a visit, an extremely impressive, thought provoking experience and should not be missed in order to fully understand the golden triangle.

>>> Package programme: Northern Thailand Life Style.