Wat Rong Suea Ten — the Blue Temple — in Chiang Rai is a relatively new but visually extraordinary Buddhist temple completed in 2016, its deep cobalt blue exterior and gold interior decoration creating a colour combination unique among Thai temples. The ornate nagas — serpent deities — flanking the entrance staircase and the golden Buddha within are executed with exceptional craftsmanship. Hotels in Chiang Rai are within easy tuk-tuk or taxi distance of both the Blue and White Temples, making the city the ideal base for temple touring in the Golden Triangle region.
One of the most extraordinary resorts in Asia, the Anantara Golden Triangle sits precisely at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet, with rooms that overlook all three countries simultaneously. The resident herd of rescue elephants, the Mekong sunrise boat tours, and the resident chef's northern Thai cooking school are all world-class.
A legendary luxury tented camp in the jungle above the Mekong with ten enormous tented suites featuring outdoor soaking tubs overlooking the river, private elephant experiences in the forest, and a candlelit dining tent where the northern Thai tasting menu is one of the finest meals available in Southeast Asia. Completely transformative.
The most established luxury hotel in Chiang Rai city, the Dusit Princess offers well-maintained rooms, a lovely pool garden, and the Dusit brand's Thai hospitality at prices that seem absurdly low by international standards. The location near the Night Bazaar and the clock tower makes it ideal for exploring the city on foot.
A riverside boutique resort on the Kok River with Lanna-style bungalows, a spa using northern Thai botanical treatments, and a garden restaurant overlooking the water. The boat service to explore the river's Lahu and Akha hill tribe villages is operated responsibly and provides an authentic cultural experience.
A well-run, great-value hotel in central Chiang Rai with clean rooms, a pool, and a staff team who know every temple, trekking route, and border crossing in the province in detail. The buffet breakfast with its comprehensive northern Thai dishes is a fine introduction to the region's food culture.
A boutique hotel in a beautifully preserved northern Thai teak house in the old town with rooms featuring traditional carving and silk furnishings. The night walking tours of the White Temple and the Blue Temple organised by the owners are conducted with a depth of architectural knowledge that significantly enriches the experience.
