October 28, 2008

Luxury Destination: Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand doesn’t have the same international profile as the busy Bangkok or the famous Thai beaches. The beautiful and culturally diverse region is well worth a visit and easily accessible by a quick flight from Bangkok to the areas capital Chiang Mai - Thailand’s second city.

Elephant Trekking, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is modern city which still retains its traditional charm. Between the modern buildings you will still find bustling traditional markets. Almost all the handicrafts you see in Bangkok come from this region which is home to many of Thailand’s exotic hill tribes including the famous long-necked Paduang women who wear an amazing number of brass rings around their necks in the name of beauty!

Chiang Mai is a comfortable a base to trek in the area, take an elephant ride through the jungle, raft or visit traditional villages and lush orchid farms. Its also a convenient stop-over on your way to mysterious Laos or northern Vietnam. The area is mountainous in the summer gives relief to the oppressive heat of the plains. In the cooler months bring a jumper for the evenings.

Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand

All this may be a little hard to get to if you check into Chiang Mai’s first and still probably its best 5-star resort: the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. The only downside to this place is that it would be hard to tear your self away long enough to visit the area! Opened 12 years ago the Four Seasons Resort blends into the surrounding countryside of rice paddies, but is only 30 minutes by shuttle bus from downtown. The Resort has 64 elegantly appointed pavilions, each with a private covered veranda, and 16 self-contained magnificent residences. The residences come in various sizes with up to 3 bedrooms and include a live-in room maid which may take a little getting used to: but being spoiled is easy to get used to! The style is modern Thai featuring teak floors and beautiful silk furnishings. Guests of the resort residences have exclusive access to a full-service Residence Pool which features a children’s pool area and a whirlpool. Naturally the bathrooms (one for each bedroom) come complete with a whirlpool bathtub, separate shower and double vanity, as well as a separate dressing area.

Four Seasons Chiang Mai: Residence

The Spa at the Four Seasons is quite simply out of this world Or as they themselves put it

Step into the spa and you enter a luxurious temple of harmony for body, mind and spirit - an indulgent sanctuary created exclusively for your pleasure and well-being. The fragrance of specially blended oils, herbs and spices fills the air, and your body and mind immediately relax in anticipation of the exotic experience that awaits.

Voted the World’s Best Spa by Conde Conde Nast Traveller (UK) in 2007 Reader’s Award, features seven spacious treatment suites offering total privacy for individuals or couples. Each suite offers a variety of facilities, including outdoor showers, private herbal steam rooms and outdoor soaking tubs. Two of the suites have tropical rain shower massage tables.

Another highlight of the Four Seasons Chiang Mai is the cooking school which is an all day event which starts with a visit to the local markets to pick your ingredients. The specially designed kitchen allows both novice and experienced cooks to cook up a storm of traditional Thai specialties such as kaow soi gai (Chiang Mai curry noodle soup with chicken) and gaeng hung lay (dry spiced curry with pork and pickled garlic). There is a different dish every day of the week so the budding Thai Chefs can spend all week in the kitchen!