Steeped in history, 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai was built as a result of King Chulalongkorn signing the Treaty of Chiang Mai in 1883. This royal decree permitted foreigners like the British men of the Borneo Company to cut trees across the vast teak forests of northern Thailand for commercial purposes.
The Borneo Company opened their office along the Ping River on January 24, 1896, which consisted of three sprawling teak houses, each with more than 100 teak pillars and a fourth, 137 Pillars House as we now know it, which was moved over from the west side of the river.
In December 1941, the Japanese invaded Thailand and commandeered all the Company’s Chiang Mai assets, including the 137 Pillars house.
In the post-WWII years, the company returned to North Thailand but sold its Chiang Mai headquarters to William Bain, a Scotsman. William married a local Mon girl, and together they raised a family of two daughters and two sons. Son Jack followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the company and raising his own family on these grounds.
Fast forward to today, and the award-winning 137 Pillars House has transformed into a stunning 30 suite boutique hotel with a rich colonial past. The hotel is located in a leafy residential enclave just a few minutes’ walk from the historical Wat Gate Temple, Ping River and a trendy boutique shopping area.
The 30 luxurious and spacious suites of 137 Pillars are exquisitely appointed and are perfect for family or friends travelling together. All suites enjoy butler service, high ceilings and large walk-in wardrobes.
Stunning bathrooms include free-standing Victorian bathtubs, dual washbasins, and separate indoor and outdoor showers. The 400 thread count bed linen and ultra-comfortable four-poster beds guarantee a blissful night’s sleep, and vintage tiled verandahs with oversized daybeds and signature 137 Pillars rocking chairs ensure a laid back relaxing stay.
Accommodations include their Rajah Brooke suites at 70 square meters, East Borneo suites at 75 square meters & their David Fleming Macife suites at 80 square meters. Next is the Wiliam Bain Terrace suites at 100 square meters, which includes a generous living room.
With understated elegance and modern amenities, the three 80 sqm David Fleming Macfie Suites provide a luxurious haven and spacious living area for a family of up to four. The King bedroom suites include a customized divan that provides comfortable seating during the day and converts to a bed at night. The adjoining spacious tropical vintage-tiled conservatories have the option of being enclosed and air conditioned, or open-air. They are furnished with a plush daybed that can be made up in the evenings, rattan planter’s rocking chairs and cane shades for privacy. The suites also feature large walk-in closets, en-suite bathrooms with Victorian freestanding claw foot bathtubs and separate indoor and outdoor showers.
The largest suites are the Louis Leonowens Pool suites at 135 square meters. These top-tier, incredibly spacious ground floor suites include generous living rooms and super king bedrooms with French doors overlooking the infinity pool, feature garden wall and historic homestead. Beyond a large walk-in closet, the en-suite bathroom with dual washbasins includes a sunken bath overlooking tropical foliage as well as separate indoor and outdoor garden showers and a private 5.5 x 2.5-metre swimming pool. The oversized couch can convert to a king or Hollywood twin, accommodating two people.
When it comes to food and beverage, 137 Pillars House does not leave you wanting. The Dining Room is their all-day restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a stylish and comfortable environment to savour favourite recipes prepared with the freshest ingredients. Diverse and accommodating menus offer classic Thai fare meant to be shared along with seasonally inspired international dishes, all showcasing the distinctive harvests of local farmers and the Royal Projects.
Palette is an intimate restaurant that seats up to 24 diners and features artwork by local artists. The restaurant serves western cuisine and can also be booked exclusively for private functions and special occasions. Located in the teak homestead, it is open daily for dinner from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
In-Suite Dining is also available from 6:30 am to 10 pm. Enjoy breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or a late-night supper all in your suite with complete privacy.
Jack Bain, a colourful Scottish character somewhat reminiscent of Indiana Jones, lives on in the Bar named after him and is a signature outlet in both 137 Pillars properties. He and his family were the last inhabitants of the old house. Located in the teak homestead, Jack Bain’s is open daily from 5.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Enjoy craft colonial and Asian inspired cocktails, premium whiskeys, sabered champagne and bespoke spirits in an atmosphere that harks back to the golden age of cocktails and gentlemen’s clubs. Listen to the hotel’s pianist while enjoying pre-dinner drinks, a nightcap or leisurely libations.
Cocktails, fresh juices, light refreshments and culinary delights can also be found at the hotel’s 25-meter long shimmering swimming pool. The pool is located opposite the teak homestead and is open daily from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Not to be missed is the hotel’s classic signature afternoon tea served in the same style that Chiang Mai’s early foreign visitors enjoyed, with bespoke tea and coffee blends and delicious delicacies. Partake of these scrumptious pleasures in the Parlour, on the exquisitely manicured Lawn or in your suite. For the ultimate experience, add a bottle of champagne, sabered in the traditional style with a ceremonial sword. Served daily from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
If you have ever dreamt of learning how to cook like a Thai Chef, book a cooking class through your Butler at the hotel’s outdoor kitchen, appropriately called “The Kitchen,” and impress your family and friends upon your return with your newly acquired culinary skills.
The hotel’s spa is called the Nitra Serenity Centre. It offers a contemporary treatment menu featuring sophisticated face and body therapies and traditional therapeutic massages, which embrace Thai cultural specialities.
If you are an athletic die-hard, then you know that not even the most relaxing vacation can derail your fitness regime. Open 24 hours a day, the hotel’s fitness facility is equipped with plenty of modern equipment to gain muscle or lose a kilo or few.
Since its opening in 2012, 137 Pillars House has become a fashionable venue for bespoke weddings, events and special occasions. The hotel’s colonial backdrop provides countless areas to capture those perfect Instagramable moments.
Overall, it’s clear that celebrating fine living as an art form is one that 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai has perfected and should be experienced the next time your travels take you to Chiang Mai.
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai
2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road,
Tambon Watgate, Muang Chiang Mai
+66 (0)53 247788
info@137pillarshouse.com
137pillarschiangmai.com