The Chedi
As you approach The Chedi Hotel for the first time, the simplicity of the exterior doesn’t even give a glimpse of the zen experience awaiting behind the walls. With a simple sign that says “The Chedi”, you pull up the short drive and you can’t help but relax from the second you walk through the front entrance. The only five-star hotel on the Mae Ping River, the only thing preventing it from being a heavenly experience is that it is physically here on earth in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai.
With the hotel being built around an old colonial British consulate from the 1920’s, the Japanese ryokan influenced compound offers a serene setting overlooking the Mae Ping River. From the hotel’s rooms, pool, spa, and restaurant, the river is always in view and connects you to Chiang Mai as you watch the boats go floating by.
Location
An easily walkable location, The Chedi offers great proximity to the Night Bazaar and Old Town. While tucked away from the noise of Old Town, the location will still allow access to the restaurants and shopping Chiang Mai has to offer. Having stayed there during Songkran, the Thai New Year, it was also a nice location that wasn’t in the center of the festival gridlock. Just a block off the festival route, it is easy to navigate in, and around, the festival while still exploring the rest of the city. While you can easily access a handful of attractions by foot while staying at The Chedi, there are also plenty of options for commuting nearby if you’re looking to navigate attractions that are a little further out.
Rooms
With several different size rooms, you can choose between a traditional sized hotel room or a club suite that has more of a spacious apartment feel to it. Accessing each room through a private courtyard and offering floor to ceiling windows with a private balcony, every morning you’ll be faced with the hard decision of lying in bed and staring out at the scenery or sitting on the balcony with a cup of tea. It’s a rough life! One of the greatest design attributes of The Chedi rooms is having the ability to open wooden panels so the soaking tub and glass shower opening to the room. Not only does it increase the energy in the room, but it creates a romantic atmosphere if you are traveling with your partner.
With 84 rooms, The Chedi Hotel offers an extensive package for the guests staying in one of their club suites. The package includes access to the club lounge, where they offer breakfast in the morning and beverages throughout the day. They also include complimentary laundry, which is truly a luxury when traveling. Complimentary wifi and transfers between the airport and hotel are also included, which made staying at The Chedi one of the best experiences I’ve had at a hotel.
Fitness and Health
One of the most extensive gyms I’ve seen in a hotel, even the most particular LGBT traveler would be pleased with the workout facilities The Chedi Hotel offers. In addition to yoga classes, The Chedi also offers Thai boxing classes twice a week and a separate aerobics room if a little extra space is needed.
The biggest spa facility in Chiang Mai, The Chedi spa is known for their Thai massage. While they offer an extensive menu of services, if you’ve never experienced a Thai massage then this is the hotel to do so. With ten asian-influenced rooms, you’ll find yourself pleasantly relaxed once your masseuse is finished bending, crawling, and stretching you out on the floor. You’ll leave saying “who knew a such a small lady could make me feel this way!” With a refreshing glass of citrus and mint infused water, you’ll find yourself sitting in the relaxation lounge, overlooking the swimming deck and Ping River, reflecting on how peaceful your stay has been at The Chedi Hotel.
Whether you’re enjoying afternoon tea on the terrace overlooking the Mae Ping River, or enjoying breakfast under the century old trees on the patio, The Chedi Hotel has carefully crafted an experience which honors asian tradition and modern comfort. Working to create a bespoke and zen-like experience, it is very clear the staff work hard to ensure your stay is one worthy of The Chedi name.
