137 Pillars House

Colonial-style chic with history at its heart

Introduction
Rooms
Facilities

This heritage-suffused retreat provides a luxurious home-from-home in one of Chiang Mai’s most appealing districts.

Supremely camera-friendly, 137 Pillars House has won fistfuls of awards since it opened in 2011. At its core is an impeccably restored teak homestead from the 1880s that was once, briefly, the home of Louis Leonowens, whose mother was the ‘I’ in The King and I. Its wood-carved interiors shelter elegant restaurants, a clubby bar and a parlour for afternoon tea, while the 30 suites are located in harmoniously designed low-rise modern buildings that are surrounded by lushly planted gardens complete with a sleek swimming pool. It feels a world away from the bustle of Chiang Mai, though it’s actually just a short tuk-tuk hop from the Old City. Brimming with character, individuality and charm, it’s no surprise it’s a member of the 'Small Luxury Hotels of the World'.

Why we love 137 Pillars House

It’s in the arty, multicultural Wat Gate area, with lots of galleries, boutiques and riverside restaurants a short stroll away
There’s a wealth of fascinating stories behind the teak homestead at the hotel’s core and the people who once lived in it
The beyond-spacious suites have tiled verandas with daybeds that are almost like having an extra, naturally cooled, living room
If you’ve overindulged in the superb restaurants and bar, you can assuage your guilt in the pool, 24-hour gym or with a yoga session

Our rating 5 stars

Best time to go Oct - Apr

Location Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai

Avg Flight time Bangkok 11½ hours

Setting On the east bank of the Ping River in a quiet corner of the Wat Gate area, a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the old city

Transfers Approx. 20 minutes’ transfer from Chiang Mai airport

Interests Boutique, Spa

View gallery

Rooms

The 30 generously proportioned suites are arranged across a series of low-key contemporary buildings framing the original teak homestead. Parquet floors, dark-wood furniture, cane panels and old black-and-white photographs give a colonial tinge to the interior design, while blue or red accents add verve to the generally neutral colour scheme. As with all the suites, the lead-in Rajah Brooke comes with a tiled veranda that’s almost an extra room, while the bathroom has a large slipper bath that’s just the thing for muscle-soothing soaks. There’s more space, including a divan bed for one child, in the East Borneo Suite. Those with two offspring should book a David Fleming Macfie Suite, whose living room has two sofabeds, or the William Bain Terrace Suite overlooking the pool and the original house. Or splash out on the top-of-the-range Louis Leonowens Pool Suite, with space for four and a small private pool.

View image

Rajah Brooke Suite

These upper-floor suites have four-poster king-sized beds and a large well-furnished tiled verandah with cane blinds.

air-conditioning
terrace
VIFA Bluetooth audio system
bathroom with bathtub and rain shower
outdoor shower
pillow menu
Wi-Fi
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
70m²

View image

East Borneo Suite

These larger suites sleep three thanks to a divan that can be converted to a bed, and have spacious bathrooms.

air-conditioning
terrace
VIFA Bluetooth audio system
bathroom with bathtub and rain shower
outdoor shower
pillow menu
Wi-Fi
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
75m²

View image

David Fleming Macfie Suite

These one-bedroom suites have a separate living area with two convertible divans, providing space for two adults and two children.

air-conditioning
terrace
VIFA Bluetooth audio system
bathroom with bathtub and rain shower
outdoor shower
pillow menu
Wi-Fi
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
80m²

View image

William Bain Terrace Suite

Flanking the historic building, these roomy upper-floor suites overlook the pool.

air-conditioning
terrace
VIFA Bluetooth audio system
bathroom with bathtub and rain shower
outdoor shower
pillow menu
Wi-Fi
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
100m²

View image

Louis Leonowens Pool Suite

Set on the ground floor, these spacious suites have views of the pool or garden and a private plunge pool.

air-conditioning
terrace
VIFA Bluetooth audio system
bathroom with bathtub and rain shower
outdoor shower
pillow menu
Wi-Fi
tea and coffee making facilities
minibar*
125m²

* Denotes local charge

Facilities

Restaurants & bars
Board
Spas & wellness
Activities
Diving & Watersports
Sustainability

View images

There are two restaurants and a cosy bar, all-day in-suite dining and afternoon tea in the garden or the old parlour.

The Dining Room
The main restaurant is the venue for a generous international buffet breakfast.

Palette
Open at lunch and dinner, this intimate space has an all-day menu of Western, Thai and regional South East Asian cuisine prepared with seasonal local ingredients. There's also a selection of vegetarian dishes.

Jack Bain’s Bar
Named after a former resident, this clubby bar has a superb choice of cocktails as well as non-alcoholic options from Thai Oolong tea to fresh mango juice.

Our pick

After a day of exploring, there’s something wonderfully civilised about a delicious afternoon tea in a lushly planted tropical garden.

What's included

Breakfast at The Dining Room

Upgrade options

Half Board • Breakfast at The Dining Room • Dinner at Palette
Full Board • Breakfast at The Dining Room • lunch and dinner at Palette

At the Nitra Serenity Centre, the menu focuses on ‘the Seven Pillars of Wellness’ with treatments that feature natural organic products, traditional Thai techniques and modern innovations. The 90-minute Sleep by Design massage, for instance, mixes essential oils with a soundtrack of binaural beats. There's a 24-hour air-conditioned gym with cardio equipment and free weights, and yoga and Thai Chi classes on request.

Explore temples by rickshaw, learn about the history of Lampang and Chiang Mai's teak history or see Thai modern art with a visit to the Maiiam Contemporary Art Museum.

The tucked-away outdoor pool is lined by sunbeds on one side and a soaring plant wall on the other.

The hotel’s environmentally friendly initiatives include recycling initiatives, turning garden waste into compost for the organic vegetable plot and replacing plastic bags and takeaway containers with reusable mesh or wooden boxes. It also supports Elephant Nature Park, a local sanctuary for rescued elephants.

All Hotels in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
4 Star

Kantary Hills, Chiang Mai

A serene, modern all-suite retreat on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.

From £1,032 p/p

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
5 Star

Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai

A luxurious and serene retreat in a super-central location in Chiang Mai.

From £1,389 p/p

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
4.5 Star

The Riverie by Katathani

This river-hugged landmark is a fresh and contemporary hotel close to Chiang Rai’s centre.

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
4 Star

U Chiang Mai

A luxurious and modern hotel within Chiang Mai’s ancient city walls.

From £1,017 p/p

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
5 Star

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

A luxurious retreat with locally inspired style – from the architecture to furnishings – that features its very own elephant camp.

Hotel

Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
5 Star

Raya Heritage

This serene five-star all-suite hideaway within easy reach of Chiang Mai has an idyllic riverside setting and a quietly luxurious appeal.

From £1,490 p/p

Sorry, your hotel is no longer available

Please check alternatives

Where do you want to go?

When

Choose dates

{{store.searchDuration}} nights, {{formattedDate}}

Who

From

Class

Occasion

{{item.title}} {{item.body}}
{{item.title}} {{item.body}}

Choose a departure date

Duration

{{store.searchDuration}} nights

Enter rooms & guests

Adults Aged 18 or above

Children Aged 0-17 years

Select child age{{store.passengers[0].childAges.length > 1 ? "s" : ""}}:

Child {{i+1}} Age Age on date of return

+ Add another room

{{airport.text}}

{{flightClass.text}}

{{occasion.text}}

Checking prices & availability

{{term}}, {{formattedDate}} for {{searchDuration}} nights

All ({{destinations.length + products.length + offers.length + inspiration.length}})
Destinations ({{destinations.length}})
Holidays ({{products.length}})
Offers ({{offers.length}})
Inspiration ({{inspiration.length}})