In the company of northern Thailand's remote and rejuvenating hideaways, Tatvani gives new meaning to the word 'exclusive'. Only two residences sit on a lush 29 acres where waterfalls bubble nearby as you enjoy a tension-dissolving massage and dining on a menu of your own making is a daily occurrence. Looked after by a personal team of staff, there's little need to leave your villa, which each have a solar-heated pool overlooking tranquil lotus ponds and a well-stocked entertainment hub. Take a scenic cycle through sleepy villages and tea plantations (or a more adventurous meander up mountain trails) and visit the centuries-old temples of Chiang Rai.




Infused with a sense of wellness, Tatvani offers morning yoga as birds call overhead and meals with ingredients harvested from the organic garden. Dining takes place in your villa's private pavilion with tasty variations of local delicacies and international fare paired with imported wines. Set amongst swathes of cool Victoria lily ponds and rice paddies where water buffalo wander, the Paradise Spa provides open-air pavilions where you can luxuriate with herbal baths in black stone tubs and Thai massages using all-natural products.
Adorned with antiques from across Thailand, the palatial villas have smooth teak floors laid with vintage rugs and ornate carvings line the walls. Both villas have a private spa, a living area brimming with orchids and an entertainment room. The Khum Sak Tong villa is the largest with a collection of teak villas (housing six suites, a rustic dining pavilion and fireside bar), which have views of the mountains. The bathroom amenities include clawfoot tubs and heated floors - plus a jacuzzi in the master suite.
If it's natural beauty you're after, Chiang Rai has it in spades. Visit elephants at their sanctuary where you can walk with them and join feeding time. Take a longtail boat ride down the Rim Kok River, zip along mountain roads to find the exquisite 'Switzerland of Thailand' and its verdant gardens before hiking through the hills with a local elder or learn all about the ancient hill tribes at the museum. A trip to Chiang Rai wouldn't be complete without seeing Wat Rongkhun, which looks as if it was crafted from icicles and toasting the days with a drink at the vibrant Night Bazaar.
As you stroll down tiki-lit pathways, curl up with a book in an over-the-water sala or birdwatch from your veranda, Tatvani truly feels like your own private slice of paradise.
With it's focus on relaxation, Tatvani is best enjoyed as a charming and restful finale to your Thai itinerary.
The smallest of the two villas has five bedrooms so the price tag will be heavier if you're on a trip for two.
Head off radar and escape to nature in the spectacular hills of northern Thailand.