Situated in the grounds of the über-tranquil Ayatana Hamlet and Spa, on the foothills of Doi Suthep, is this elegant restaurant that would impress anybody with a penchant for fine dining. The menu mainly offers Thai and European dishes with some fusion items for the adventurous. Try the pad tai spring rolls, which taste delicious, or for the farang palette, the salmon steak with béarnaise sauce or the beef tenderloin with pepper sauce. Take a table by the pool under the canopy of mango trees in the evenings and enjoy a cooling cocktail. The drinks list is huge and there’s everything you can imagine while the wines are mostly Italian.
Open daily from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Moo 14, Suthep Road
Fax: 053 811 488
info@ayatana-resort.com
www.ayatana-resort.com
Located on the Samoeng Road, this impressive restaurant is perched atop a hill facing startling panoramas of mountains and jungle, inside the Hills Lodge Resort, and serves quintessential French haute-cuisine. Le Beaulieu Chiang Mai is the progeny of the renowned Le Beaulieu in Bangkok, and the chefs in Chiang Mai are the protégés of renowned chef Herve Frerard at the Bangkok branch. The food is exquisite, the meats perfectly cooked and sauces infused with myriad flavours, the (hydroponic) vegetables fresh; everything we tried was absolutely scrumptious: the rocket salad with juicy scallops, the tender Australian tenderloin, the rich onion soup. This is not for the slim-walleted, a meal for two without drinks probably costing around 2,000 baht, although they do serve very good pizzas and pastas for around 300 baht.
Open every day for lunch (but in low season March – Sept, a reservation for at least four should be made first) and open for dinner all year.
Open Mon-Sun from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
140 M.5 Banpong, Hang Dong
Tel: 053 365 011-12, 084 042 6594,
081 948 3748 Fax: 053 365 060
reservations@hill-lodge.com
www.hill-lodge.com
The newest venture by the owner of Sukantara Cascade Resort and Chiida 1 now offers the same Lanna-Indian theme and bohemian elegance as its sister spas. A hot pink façade adorned with glittering mosaics opens onto a pond studded with pink water lilies and stepping stones. The interior is a delight of opulent fabrics and rich colours, complemented by exquisitely carved wooden doors, hanging lanterns and embroidered cushions. Therapies are drawn from both the Lanna and Ayurvedic traditions and includes Vichy showers and herbal compress treatments. A wellness training centre is planned for the near future, where experienced trainers will be on hand to teach a variety of healing techniques and practices. Accommodation and meals will be available on request for trainees.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Best Western Chiang Mai Resort,
163/2 Cholprathan Road
Tel: 053 329 333 Ext. 132, 133
www.chiidaspa.com
Scent is one of the most evocative sensory triggers we experience. It can relax or uplift, spark desire and stir memories, instill wellbeing and create confidence. Centuries ago, the perfumer’s craft used to be associated with the role of a healer, but as synthetic chemicals began to replace plant essences as the main source of ingredients, the therapeutic power of perfume waned somewhat. Today, it’s not easy to find all-natural scents anywhere in the world, let alone in Thailand. But expat Alfa Hugelmann is changing that with her Thai Fleurage perfume, a pure blend of flower, leaf, seed, root, bark and fruit essences. Thai Fleurage is packaged in an authentic Thai teakwood bottle and contains all-natural ingredients sourced exclusively from northern Thailand. “Thai Fleurage is not only about the scent,” says Hugelmann, “but also about pleasure, wellbeing and self-healing. That’s why it’s important to me that the ingredients are good for those who wear it: I believe the ritual of applying perfume should be about doing something special – like a very small meditation.”
Hugelmann also makes a range of creamy natural soaps.
Tel: 085 707 7008
thai.fleurage@gmail.com
Absolute Care Clinic is a contemporary clinic that offers the latest facial and body treatments using state-of-the-art technology and administered by their specialised doctor. You can choose the best treatments for you from a wide range of modern therapies, for example Mesomax, Chermage or Carboxy. Enjoy free wi-fi internet between treatments. This April you can get 10 percent discount on all treatments.
Open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
12/2 Boouruangrit Road (before Chiang Mai Ram hospital or next to Seven-Eleven)
Tel. 053 894 872
tumj@hotmail.com