Set among rice paddies and lush forests, this five-star resort blends Thai style with contemporary elegance. Additionally, the resort boasts an extensive spa and infinity pool. However, in true Four Seasons fashion, it's the service that truly shines and sets the experience apart.

One of Chiang Mai’s best boutiques, this hotel recalls ancient Chinese homes and centres on a stunning courtyard. The impeccable rooms, meanwhile, feature hand-sourced antiques. Comforting luxuries and Asian-inspired features, like bamboo blinds and reed mats, set the stage for more remarkable amenities like Chinese porcelain sinks, Lanna lanterns, and Burmese artworks. Airy second-level deluxe suites offer four-poster beds and roomy baths.

Set among lush gardens at the side of the Ping river, about twenty minutes’ drive to the north of the city center, Raya Heritage is as calm and tranquil as many a more far-flung rural resort. It’s styled as Thailand’s first “artisanal” resort, which means that not only did architect Boonlert Hemvijitraphan and designer Vichada Sitakalin get free rein to let their imaginations run wild, but they also were given a mandate to employ local artisans and craftspeople wherever possible.

With its beautiful bamboo corridor and lush grounds, the hotel feels far removed from its location in the heart of Chiang Mai. The rooms were designed and decorated with the region’s tribal heritage in mind — lacquer boxes and boldly patterned fabrics add kitsch-free charm. There’s a decidedly spare feel to the rooms, a winning combination of throwback comfort and sleek modern design.

History lives on in this beautifully restored teakwood mansion. Once the headquarters of the East Borneo Company, this property now ranks among Thailand’s best boutique stays. The century-old suites are only improved by the addition of modern electronics, plumbing and climate control, and the 19th-century atmosphere suffers not a bit.

Though set within the city limits, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai achieves a rural-resort atmosphere thanks to its verdant setting at the foot of Doi Suthep Mountain, as well as the privacy afforded by its compound-like layout. The experience combines the luxurious comforts and devoted service of a Thai luxury resort and the personality and depth of detail of a thoughtfully designed boutique hotel.