Kaomai Lanna Resort
The ivy covered curing barns, now housing the guest rooms.
The lush vine-covered corridor connecting the guest rooms.
Located 29 kilometers from Chiang Mai, Kaomai Lanna Resort is probably not the place to stay for first time visitors to the north. However, if you're looking for some place unique to get away from it all, the resort may be exactly what you're looking for.
The resort's 36 rooms are built into old brick barns formerly used to cure tobacco. The tall square silos house just two rooms each. A walkway connects the buildings and provides access to the second storey rooms. All around the grounds are richly planted with many different trees and flowers.
The meeting room, housed in a 100 year old teak building.
The owners have an obvious penchant for old buildings and furnishings. Rooms are often furnished with antique touches, such as a costume trunk we saw in one room. An old wooden Karen house has been moved to the resort's property, where it serves as one of two shops selling traditional textiles and antiques.
Those looking for a unique meeting destination may be interested in the resort's meeting room, a solid teak building with glass windows over 100 years old. The meeting room as well as the guest rooms are all air conditioned, in addition to many other modern conveniences. There's also a large pool for those looking to cool off.
With all its vegetation, the best time to visit the resort is from October to December, after the rainy season. By March, its starting to get a bit brown.
Details
Kaomai Lanna resort is located at kilometer 29 on the Chiang Mai - Hod road, telephone +66 53 834 470, fax +66 53 834 480. See their web site for current rates and more information. You can also book through Agoda or you can compare rates for the resort from several booking sites through Hotels Combined.