There are some hotels that feel like just a place to sleep, and then there is Meliá Chiang Mai, one of those unforgettable stays.
Perched above the Ping River overlooking the lively Night Bazaar, the stunning hotel captures the pulse of the city while still offering a sense of calm retreat. Just a short drive from the airport and right on Charoen Prathet Road, one of the most vibrant stretches in town, with markets, temples, and lots of alluring hidden corners of Chiang Mai to explore.
At first glance what stands out is the hotel design. Walking through the lobby you can’t help but to marvel at the sleek and modern design and thoughtful nods to the area’s rich Lanna Thai heritage. Those warm wood details, subtle textures, and cultural motifs remind you exactly where you are.
For me, the cultural experience is what sets this stunning hotel apart and in true comfort, with the striking design and architecture. The serene pool and sauna, array of equisite art, and design features perfectly balances contemporary style infused with the soul of Chiang Mai.
Panoramic views of Meliá’s Mai The Sky Bar
One of the highlights for me, and if you are a foodie you will also love, is Mai The Sky Bar, Meliá’s spectacular 22nd-floor rooftop bar, which is reminiscent of its hotel in Bangkok. From here, you can soak up 360-degree panoramic views of the city, with mountains on one side and the Ping River flowing on the other.
While taking in the breathtaking scenery, I enjoyed a menu of authentic Spanish tapas paired with a creative cocktail list inspired by Chiang Mai’s landmarks and culture. What is also cool is that each drink tells its own story related to aspects of Chiang Mai, perfectly complementing the city views and the gentle backdrop of live music. It’s an experience that lets you soak in the beauty of Chiang Mai from every angle. All the while enjoying delicious tapas and drink.
On a warm, sunny day in Chiang Mai or even in the evening, the pool is an ideal place to cool off and unwind. It’s on the second floor with a spacious terrace lined with comfy sunbeds perfect for sipping a cocktail, diving into a good book, or just floating around pretending you never have to leave..
The rooms are so cozy and inviting, with everything you could possibly need from fluffy towels and soft robes to a minibar and even an alarm clock (though you probably won’t want to use it on holiday!). But honestly, with the buzz of Chiang Mai waiting right outside, it’s hard to stay inside binge-watching for long.
For parents craving a little R&R away from the kids, there’s a whole area dedicated to children, packed with fun activities such as yoga for kids, and little chef culinary lessons. They can even indulge their creative side making crafts out of recycled material and painting umbrellas. So it’s a win-win for parents: they play, you relax.
The stunning spa and sauna is also the perfect escape if the weather turns rainy, or you want to wash away any stress. The moment I stepped onto the 1st floor, I felt instantly relaxed. The smell of the herbal blends filled the air and walking through the beautifully designed space is an experience in itself.
The design is inspired by Wat Umong, one of Chiang Mai’s gorgeous underground temples, which makes the whole atmosphere feel unique and authentic. I also loved knowing that the herbal steam and exotic sauna have traditionally been used to boost relaxation and improve circulation.
Sustainability Matters at Meliá Chiang Mai
At Meliá Chiang Mai, sustainability is something they genuinely care about which makes a big difference for me when picking a place to stay. The team is dedicated to cutting down on waste to protecting natural resources with all sorts of thoughtful, eco-friendly initiatives. Staying here just feels good, knowing they’re doing their bit for the environment. They also:
- Coordinate with suppliers to deliver vegetables in baskets instead of plastic bags.
- Use biodegradable wrap to cover all food items.
- Use biodegradable boxes for takeaway and breakfast boxes instead of single-use
plastic boxes. - Use biodegradable cutlery with takeaway boxes.
- Use biodegradable garbage bags in the kitchen.
- Ban associates from bringing plastic to the hotel, including food containers and
bottled water. - Use every part of each ingredient possible before distributing the leftover fruit and
vegetable waste back to an organic farm as compost. - Send leftover cooking oil to be recycled into biodiesel.
- Separate garbage and send other food waste to a local pig farm.
- Closely monitor the food waste, recording all waste on each shift and continually
working out ways to reduce it. - Refill the acrylic soap, shampoo and conditioner containers and dispensers.
- Encourage the guests not to bring plastic back to our hotel by providing a shopping
bag to use during their stay. - Provide drinking water in recycled glass bottles.
These are just some of the details that make Meliá Chiang Mai a superb place to soak up the atmosphere of northern Thailand and indulge in some luxury at the same time.
For more information: https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai/
