Ping Nakara Hotel & Spa

Ping Nakara is a relative newcomer to the Chiang Mai boutique hotel scene, but at barely a year old it has already won numerous prestigious awards for hoteliering and design. Although built from the ground up, Ping Nakara captures beautifully the elegance of the early 1900s, when the bustling city was at the height of the teak industry and the epitome of sophistication in northern Thailand.

Ping Nakara has taken its inspiration from those days, and the result is an intimate and graceful hotel, accented by hand-carved fretwork and gingerbread details - yet it still manages to exude a contemporary ambience. It feels like a large house, built around a tranquil interior courtyard with swimming pool. With only 19 rooms, Ping Nakara is private and restful, and gives attention to every detail.

Guest Rooms

Each room is individually decorated, with thoughtful use of natural materials and a distinctive style. Rooms are spacious, with gleaming dark wood floors and quality furnishings that reflect colonial traditions. Most rooms also have balconies, and select Grand Deluxe suites offer sumptuous Jacuzzi baths. In the bathroom you'll find a range of natural bath and beauty products supplied by the Nakara Spa. Guests can enjoy unlimited morning fresh coffee or tea, internet service, and free cold drinking water. Heavy all cotton bathrobes, towels and slippers, plus the finest bed linens and duvet, are standard. Other amenities include room safe, CD/DVD player, direct dial telephone and widescreen TV with satellite/cable. A central elevator serves all three floors of the hotel.

Onsite Facilities

The pool area was created with the art of lounging in mind. Enjoy the serenity of the veranda next to the pool, unwind with a drink in the rotunda, or curl up with a book in the library that houses a great collection of travel and Asian-themed books. The Nakara Spa is located in the hotel and is a center for the application of Ayurvedic spa treatments for holistic health and relaxation.

The on-site restaurant offers full breakfast, with unusual Asian and Western selections prepared daily. The kitchen is ready to prepare a range of gourmet dishes at any time from morning until late afternoon, and there is also a limited menu available for late dining and room service. An authentic Thai culinary menu is also available; please request at the hotel if you would like to book this unique dining experience. There is a full bar and wine cellar to provide guests most any drink they desire.

Neighborhood/Nearby Attractions

Chiang Mai is a delightful and cosmopolitan city, home to thousands of expats and some of the most varied dining options you'll find in Thailand. It also has more temples than even Bangkok, and exploring the many fascinating, historic wats within the old city walls is a major draw. Here are my picks for the top things to do in Chiang Mai:

• Visit Doi Suthep, Chedi Luang, Phan Tao, or other temples and wats

• Go for a thrilling zip line adventure with Flight of the Gibbon

• Check out the Sunday Walking Street Market

• Get a relaxing massage or other treatment at the Nakara Spa

• Volunteer at Care for Dogs shelter and feel good

• Interact with elephants at the Elephant Nature Park Rescue & Conservation

• Take a cooking class at the renowned Chiang Mai Cookery School

Details

Ping Nakara Hotel and Spa
135/9 Charoenprathet Road,
T. Changklan, A. Muang
Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Phone: 66 (0) 5325 2999
Fax: 66 (0) 5325 2111
Email: info@pingnakara.com

Web: http://pingnakara.com

Rates: $110-320