Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Set in the original 100-year-old residence, The Restaurant is Thai to a 'T'- where you can cuddle up in a cosy indoor setting or beneath colourful umbrellas in the garden. You can also sit for an afternoon of loose leaf teas, gourmet pies and desserts. The Service 1921 serves up specialties from China to Vietnam with your choice of bar or wine cellar settings. Just off the river, the large pool is in a lovely spot surrounded by lotus blossoms and the spa offers a medley of divine treatments from herbal foot baths to full-body massages.

Overlooking well-kept gardens or babbling river, the rooms at Anantara are modest and uncluttered. Each has an open-plan tropical design, which invites tranquility in, and an airy balcony with a huge day bed and sitting area. The large beds are dressed in white linens and other features include coffee/tea facilities, a TV, rainfall shower or deep terrazzo bathtubs. The Kasara Suites have access to an exclusive lounge for breakfast and cocktail evenings. The Serviced Suites are reached via a walkway and come with a kitchen, dining room and laundry.

Learn to work the kitchen the local way at the Spice Spoons cooking class and get active with a lesson in Muay Thai boxing. Take to the streets of Old (and newer) Town where you'll find the grand Three Kings Monument, the packed stores of Chinatown and art galleries galore. Stop to watch silversmiths as they craft their wares. Outside the city walls, walk with elephants at their sanctuary home, trek to find hidden waterfalls or see Chiang Mai from the sky on a hot air balloon adventure.