Villa Mahabhirom

The secret garden harbours a centuries-old Bodhi tree—ask for a dawn meditation session

The owner’s collection of Lanna antiques is hidden in plain sight throughout the property

Legend has it that the villas were transported, piece by piece, from across Thailand, each with its own story

 Arriving at Villa Mahabhirom is like stepping through a silken portal into the Chiang Mai of dreams, where time drifts as lazily as a lotus on a lily pond. Beyond the ornate wooden gates, the world hushes: ancient teak villas perch on stilts, shaded by frangipani and the dappled light of old-growth trees. Each villa is a love letter to Lanna heritage, with hand-carved doors, silk cushions, and the gentle creak of polished floorboards beneath bare feet. Your private pool glimmers invitingly, promising languid afternoons drifting between sun and shade, as the scent of lemongrass and jasmine floats on the breeze

Breakfast is a languorous affair—perhaps a bowl of mango and sticky rice, enjoyed on your terrace as the city stirs below. Days are yours to script: cycle to the old city’s gilded temples, or let the hotel arrange a cooking class where you’ll pound curry paste in a sun-dappled kitchen. Come evening, the garden glows with lantern light and the kitchen sends out dishes that sing with northern Thai flavours. The staff, ever discreet, seem to materialise just as you need them, ready with a cool towel or a tale about the villa’s storied past

Villa Mahabhirom is not just a place to stay; it’s a reverie—a living, breathing homage to Chiang Mai’s soul. Here, you’re not just a guest; you’re a privileged participant in a centuries-old story, one that unfolds with every step along the shaded paths and every sigh of the evening breeze.