Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Hotel Review

I’m from Montana, so it makes sense that a city surrounded by mountains and farms is my home sweet home in Thailand. Every year since 2016, I’ve taken cycling sabbaticals in Chiang Mai, where I spend months pedaling around the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom. To pay for my expensive hobby (my carbon fiber bike costs more than my car), I work as a travel journalist. In other words, I stay at a lot of hotels.

In Chiang Mai alone, I’ve crashed at dozens of properties, from boutique guesthouses like Vanilla Residence, where I paid $30 per night for a no-frills room, to five-star hotels like the new InterContinental Chiang Mai the Mae Ping, where one night in the off-season can set you back $1,500. Most are one-and-done stays. But I’ll always return to the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai.

This 32-acre oasis, situated on a working rice farm, is where I got waist-deep in mud and helped plant rice before getting a life-changing Thai massage (which came about because of the backbreaking work required to grow the country’s most important food). It’s one of those rare properties where you can get your hands dirty while learning about the local culture without ever leaving the lap of luxury.

“We are deeply proud of our commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience that celebrates northern Thailand’s rich heritage and natural beauty,” Sean Mosher, the resort’s general manager, told Travel + Leisure. But don’t just take it from us. And like a fine rice wine, I’m happy to report it’s only gotten better with time. 

The Rooms

Mosher says all accommodations marry “authentic craftsmanship with contemporary comforts and a deep connection to the landscape.” Think lots of polished teakwood, Lanna-style paintings, silk linens, and open-air verandas that blend in seamlessly with the natural environment. In lieu of rooms, the resort has 64 “pavilions” (choose from Garden or Rice Terrace). For max privacy and your own plunge pool, book one of the 12 villas or 22 private residences.

Food and Drink

Begin your day with a traditional northern Thai breakfast at Khao, where you can sit under the air conditioning or outside under the sun. The wood-fired North by Four Seasons grill serves up lunch and dinner with the tableside steak tartare and “chocolate on fire” being the most Instagram-worthy dishes. Still, it doesn’t get more interactive than the property’s Rim Tai Kitchen and Cooking Studio. Meanwhile, the Ratree Bar and Lounge’s White Lotus-inspired cocktails pair well with comfort bites such as a Thai chef’s take on a Chicago-style hot dog. Couples are big fans of the private five-course candlelight dinner in the Rice Barn; families appreciate the 24/7 in-pavilion dining.

Activities and Amenities

In addition to the usual suspects—two infinity pools, a health club, a yoga sala, and tennis courts—Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai boasts a robust menu of cultural immersions, including water buffalo bathing (don’t worry, the resort’s resident herd is friendly) and Thai language lessons. I also recommend the Muay Thai activities, and I’m looking forward to taking the traditional Thai candle-making and saa paper-making classes on my next visit.

The Spa

With its ornate design and sculptures, it’s easy to mistake the Wara Cheewa Spa for a temple. Most treatments are offered alfresco, although some suites have private steam rooms. The newly expanded wellness lounge is an indoor sanctuary where guests can meditate or embark on a sound healing journey.

Family-friendly Offerings

In addition to offering babysitting services and cooking classes personalized for pint-sized chefs, the property’s recently enhanced La-On Kids Club includes an array of activities such as umbrella painting, fish feeding, and doll making. If parents want to participate, all activities can be booked as “family bonding” experiences. Meanwhile, the spa offers kids treatments like the Angel Bliss massage, designed to help the most active kids wind down for bedtime. Kids ages five and under eat free.

Accessibility and Sustainability

While you’ll find plenty of wheelchair-accessible pavilions, you won’t find any single-use plastic bottles at this sustainable-minded resort, which boasts an on-site wastewater treatment plant so water can be reused in the ponds, fountains, and gardens. The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai also converts organic waste into fertilizer and animal feed, which is then donated to local farmers.

Location 

The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai is located in a serene setting—meticulously landscaped by 40 full-time gardeners—approximately 12 miles north of Chiang Mai. The concierge can arrange for airport pickups or transfers into town (30 minutes away) and to nearby attractions like Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Maerim Elephant Sanctuary, and Mae Sa Waterfall. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

American Express Platinum Card members enjoy perks like complimentary breakfast, 4 p.m. checkout, and room upgrades upon arrival. Meanwhile, if you combine your stay with a stay at the Four Seasons in Bangkok, Koh Samui, and the Golden Triangle, you’ll be gifted a $100 credit to be used toward food, drinks, or spa treatments.