iuDia On the River

iuDia offers a modern take on Thai sensibilities with a minimalist design accented with intricate arches and vintage pieces. Meals are served in the cafe, which offers a menu of Thai, Lanna and more western-inclined cuisine. There is a collection of greenery-clad courtyards for a cuppa or cocktail, while the real happy hour happens on the rooftop terrace with views of the river and ruins. The pool sits right next to the river where you can watch longtail boats float by.

A relatively small hotel, iuDia on the River has 11 rooms and suites, which are decorated in cool, muted tones and mod furnishings alongside vintage pieces that hark back to Ayutthaya's past. Each room has a sitting area, large bed, and a satellite TV. The bathrooms are moodily-lit with indigo walls, ornate mirrors and pendant lamps. Some of the larger suites have an open-plan design with a large tub behind glass, and enjoy views of the 14th-century Wat Phuttaisawan.

Your first port of call is, of course, the ruins of Ayutthaya, which served as Siam's capital from the 12th to 16th centuries. The hotel is within walking distance of many of the time-worn temples and palaces, which you can explore on foot or bicycle (iuDia has them ready). Get to know the history of this bygone kingdom at the Ayutthaya National Museum and visit its many famous temples, including the Wat Mahathat, where you'll spot the iconic Buddha looking out from the bhudhi tree.