Upon entering the brand new Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center at the corner of Nimmanhaemin/Superhighway and Huay Kaew Road, the first thing you’ll notice is the column of shimmering silver balloons that hangs from the ceiling and spirals all the way down the mall’s five levels. Here, at Maya, you’ll find one of the most conveniently located, compact shopping spaces in town.
The first floor, Cosmo Boulevard, holds a number of world famous fashion brands, fancy motorbikes and trendy cosmetics, as well as the ever-popular Dhara Dhevi Patisserie, where you can stock up on their famous multi-coloured macaroons. This floor is also home to Nino the Mad Mad Rhino, the newest philanthropic brainchild from the people who brought us Elephant Parade – a unique vision to save endangered rhinos in Asia. Here you’ll find a huge painted statue of Nino as well as smaller painted figurines available for purchase, with proceeds going to rhino protection efforts.
Up another level you’ll find more fashion brands, accessories, sports apparel and equipment, and one more up is Digitech Street, where you’ll find all the hottest gadgets and gizmos as well as books, banks and beauty items.
But you’ll have to go down to the basement to find one of the biggest highlights of the new mall (especially for all the Nimman-area residents we ran into, gleefully shopping for imported meats and cheeses mere steps from their homes): the newest Rimping Supermarket. Offering up all manner of hard-to-find items, from organic tomatoes from Take Me Home to fresh baked breads from JJ Bakery, Rimping provides a truly enjoyable shopping experience that leaves little to be desired. There’s even a sit-down cheese bar, open daily from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.!
And, if shopping for food makes you hungry, you can settle down at Rimping’s onsite bistro, Aji Restaurant, which offers a variety of yummy modern Japanese fusion dishes in a pleasant, minimalist dining room. Try the delicious teriyaki burger with bacon and caramelised onions, the tasty Bulgogi pulled pork wrap, or, for a lighter option, the fresh beet orange salad. Prices range from 120-180 baht with milkshakes and waffles available for dessert.
For other food options, check out the Strolling Mart: rows of Thai street food stalls just outside the Rimping entrance, where you’ll find everything from khao soy to mochi ice cream puffs. Then there’s the Food Bazaar on level 4, where you’ll find all the typical mall restaurants, from Sizzler to Yayoi Japanese (try the bento boxes!), as well as a number of Lanna-style restaurants and trendy bakeries .
On the fifth floor you’ll find more highlights, including the newest SFX Cinema, which is currently playing a number of quality American films including 12 Years a Slave, Wolf of Wall Street and Dallas Buyers’ Club. Here you’ll also find an arcade as well as the brand new 7D cinema for the newest realm of edge-of-your-seat thrills.
Also on the fifth floor is the much talked about new shared working space, CAMP (Creative and Meeting Place), a spacious cafe and library designed to provide students and location-independent businesspeople with a FREE place to work comfortably for hours. The unique, modern, industrial design of the place beckons you in, with floor to ceiling windows, wooden risers with pillows and desks, raised pods with bean bags and plenty of spacious tables to sip lattes and work quietly, along with separate rooms for group meetings.
But perhaps the most exciting feature of Maya is the sixth floor: the Nimman Hill sky deck, which will soon feature a restaurant, bar, and event space with spectacular views of the city and Doi Suthep. Currently, the area is still being finished so it is not open yet, but we’re already excited for the possibilities!
© All photos by Garance Mermet.
