The Rachamankha, Chiang Mai Review
The Rachamankha transcends the common perception of hotels. Located within the 700 year old walls of the Old Town, Chiang Mai, The Rachamankha resembles part Temple, part museum, part art gallery creating an aura of timelessness rarely encountered in hotels.
The brainchild of one of Thailand’s most accomplished architects guestrooms and suites surround two enclosed courtyards. The central Sala, now reserved as a relaxing and private haven for guests, is in fact an original ‘wiharn’, or prayer hall, from a Lanna period temple, salvaged prior to destruction. Colonnaded walkways add to the ecclesiastical ambiance of the grounds which is testament to the Lanna period of Northern Thailand.
The Rachamankha offers just 26 guestrooms comprising 18 superior rooms, 4 deluxe rooms and 2 two-bed-roomed suites. Interior design was completed by one of Thailand most highly regarded designers and combines Lanna accents from the historic northern Kingdom with Chinese antiquities which again draws from the regions historic past and its Chinese influence which dates back well before the thirteenth century.
The careful use of antiques ensures that each bedroom is a unique experience. It may be an old Lanna style door with an ornate door handle and wooden bolts, the antique Chinese porcelain lamp or a Lanna lantern. Perhaps is the bamboo shutters or even the simple reeds intricately woven as floor matting; this is clone-free artistic expression at its finest.
This Aladdin’s Den of antiques continues in the restaurant where Ming Dynasty plates perch precariously on antique Chinese tables and nineteenth century paintings depicting the life of Lord Buddha hang in tapestry style from the ceiling all subtly illuminated with large Lanna lanterns.
Ascend from the restaurant to the gallery which again overflows with antiquities including crockery and other relics discovered when the site was excavated for the hotels construction. You will also find a Thai sword collection as well as silverware, lacquer-ware and hilltribe jewellery which offer a greater insight into the Lanna culture.
Choose from eating beneath the restaurants high pitched tiled roofs, designed with foresight to maintain a comfortable temperature, or instead opt for dining on the terrace. Cuisine is predominantly Thai with some fusion dishes adopting ingredients and inspiration from Vietnam, Japan, and Europe.
During the day relax beside the bougainvillea-lined swimming pool on a sun bed enjoying snacks and drinks from the pool bar and indulge yourself with an open-air Thai massage. Being within the old city walls of Chiang Mai, you have easy access to many local attractions in Chiang Mai including the Cultural Museum, Sunday market, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi to name a few.
In the unlikely event that you find yourself at a loose end employ the services of the Rachamankha’s concierge who is at hand to offer you inspirational ideas ranging from the best local restaurants to golf, shopping to jungle adventure.
The Rachamankha Chiang Mai is an exquisite oasis of peace and timeless serenity, a celebration of art and design and a veritable jewel in the crown of boutique hotels. For those tired of reception desks and over-sized lobbies the Rachamankha is a very welcome alternative and a haven in which your privacy is respected and guaranteed.
- 6 Rachamankha 9,
- Phra Singh,
- Chiang Mai,
- 50200,
- Thailand
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