Best Place to Stay in Chiang Mai: Sukantara Cascade Resort

Chiang Mai is one of my most favourite cities in the world. (Only in the winters, though. We all know what becomes of it during the summer, unfortunately.)

Nestled in the northern reaches of Thailand and located along the Ping River, Chiang Mai hosts a blend of mountains and farmlands. Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lan Na kingdom, whose influences have gracefully stood the test of time across the region. Chiang Mai has retained its historic charm as a historic and contemporary cultural hub. There are incredible heritage buildings, cute, modern cafes, vintage thrift stores and a lot more.

My introduction to the city started with possibly THE best place to stay in Chiang Mai: Sukantara Cascade Resort which sits perched right on the stream tumbling down from the nearby Tat Mok Waterfall!

This gorgeous full-blown luxury nature retreat with its own slice of private waterfall paradise, 7-10 resident peacocks and a distinct mix of modern and Lanna architecture makes it the best place to stay in Chiang Mai.

Lanna Architecture at Sukantara Cascade Resort

Lanna architecture refers to the traditional architectural style of the Lanna Kingdom, which encompassed parts of present-day Northern Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, with its capital at Chiang Mai.

Lanna architecture is known for its distinctive features, which include:

• Wooden structures traditionally built from teak wood, often carved with intricate designs.
• Floors raised on stilts, which helps to protect from flooding and pests.
• Large sweeping roofs with a distinctive curved shape, made from clay tiles or teak shingles.

Sukantara Cascade Resort, the best place to stay in Chiang Mai, integrates Lanna architecture to create a unique and culturally immersive experience for its guests. Sukantara Resort’s “Modern-Lanna style” is a blend of contemporary design with Lanna influences.

The resort features accommodations designed to resemble traditional Lanna teak wood houses, elevated on stilts, with steeply pitched roofs and wide verandas.

The resort buildings also feature the characteristic multi-tiered roofs of Lanna architecture, which are visually striking and functionally sustainable, helping keep the interiors cool and comfortable.

If you’re thinking about where to stay in Chiang Mai, Sukantara is your best bet!

Sukantara Cascade Resort Location: Mae Rim

Sukanatara Cascade Resort, the best place to stay in Chiang Mai is located in Mae Rim – a small district located in the centre of the province, about 30 minutes away from the city of Chiang Mai.

Nestled amidst the rolling hills just 25 kilometres outside of Chiang Mai, Mae Rim offers a delightful escape from the bustling city. This charming district is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich agricultural heritage, and laid-back atmosphere.

Adventure seekers can delve into the lush jungles surrounding Mae Rim and explore seldom-visited waterfalls like Mae Sa Pok. Culturally curious visitors can delve into the history of the Karen hill tribes.

Mae Rim itself has quite a bit to do, offering a lot of things to do outside of Chiang Mai.

Waterfall Lanna Cottage: My Room at Sukantara

There are a total of 14 rooms and suites at Sukantara, lined along the waterfalls. A key feature of their location and design is the minimal disturbance caused to the natural landscape. The idea is to work with nature and not disrupt it. These rooms put other luxury hotels in Chiang Mai to shame!

As the name suggests, the Waterfall Lanna Cottage is closest to the waterfalls.

These are standalone villas made in the Lanna style of architecture, using hardwood and high vaulted ceilings. The latter helps the interiors of the rooms to be nicely ventilated.

The room is about 40 square meters and has a king-sized bed, a TV and plenty of storage space. There is also a large outdoor porch where peacocks would hang out in the early mornings and late evenings! Just as you step out of the room and into the verandah, you hear nothing but the gushing sound of the waterfall cascading down into rocky pools. They really are the best place to stay in Chiang Mai.

The bathroom in my room was also definitely a highlight! Made using bamboo, infused with modern fittings and a bathtub, with plenty of natural light filtering in, it was an experience in itself to soak in the tub for hours after a whole day of not doing much!

Things that Make Sukantara Special  

Sukantara Cascade Resort, the best place to stay in Chiang Mai, has a lot to offer just within its walls. Out of all of the hotels in Chiang Mai, Sukantara gives you the best cocktail of experiences. From relaxing treatments at their spa and elaborate traditional meals, to hikes and birdwatching tours, Sukantara is definitely one of the most unique places to stay in Chiang Mai!

CHIIDA Spa 

CHIIDA Spa is located right on the stream of Tat Mok Waterfall, where you are serenaded by the endless gurgle of the water. The spa is a haven to experience luxurious treatments, including Ayurveda-Lanna massage, aromatherapy and the CHIIDA Signature warm oil massage. Skilled physical therapy counsellors and herbal experts guide the therapies. 

The Spa offers a wide range of therapies including Ayurveda, Lanna-Ayurveda, Thai and other spa treatments. There are specific treatments for men as well, along with a variety of facials and body scrubs.

Traditional Lanna Kantoke Dinner

Sukantara also is home to one of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai, sitting right next to the waterfall, complete with a bar. The restaurant has a wide range of cuisines including international and traditional. The most exciting of the lot is the Lanna Kantoke dinner, a feature that makes this resort the best place to stay in Chiang Mai.

A khantoke is a traditional Thai Lanna meal served on special occasions. The term “khantoke” specifically refers to the round pedestal tray used as a dining table during the meal. The kantoke or khantoke is a traditional Lanna-style meal, prepared using centuries-old recipes that have been passed down over generations. Traditionally, khantoke meals are meant to be eaten entirely with your hands while sitting on Thai floor cushions.

Nature-Surround Swimming Pool

As if the Tat Mok stream wasn’t water therapy enough, Sukantara’s pool is also an incredible place to be. Located right next to the waterfall, it has a gorgeous green cover surrounding the area and sunbeds if you want a break from the chilly water under the sun.

Birding-Friendly Environment 

The best place to stay in Chaing Mai offers a very rich birdwatching experience within the resort’s very premises. Sukantara has a dedicated Thailand bird map and checklist to find the 50+ bird species found in the resort. The resort also has resident aviary experts to help you on your birdwatching quest.

Several species of mynas, starlings, ducks, mallards, drongos, magpies, pigeons and sunbirds, to count a few, are what await the birding enthusiast at Sukantara Cascade Resort!

There is also a private half-day birdwatching and trekking tour offered where guests are taken to a nearby Karen village, led by local staff, definitely making Sukantara one of the coolest places to stay in Chiang Mai!

How to Reach Chiang Mai 

By Air

Chiang Mai has an International Airport (CNX) which is about 40 kilometres from Sukantara Cascade Resort. It is easy to hail a taxi or book through rideshare apps like Bolt or Grab to get to the resort.

By Train

The Chiang Mai Train Station is about 35 kilometres away from Sukantara Resort. Daily trains connect Chiang Mai to Bangkok and other Thai cities. Train travel in Thailand is a comfortable and efficient experience.

By Bus

Most buses arriving in Chiang Mai stop at the Arcade Bus Station. There are daily buses operating from Moh Chit terminal in north Bangkok, taking approximately 9 to 12 hours to reach Chiang Mai. These buses include both government-run services and those operated by private transport companies.

How to Reach Mae Rim from Chiang Mai

Mae Rim is 25 kilometres out of the main Chiang Mai city. The time taken to travel this distance is about 30 to 45 minutes.

You can take a songtaew (a shared red truck) from Chang Phueak Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai to Mae Rim. It is the cheapest and most common mode of transport in the region.

A taxi ride will be faster but more expensive. Most Chiang Mai resorts and Chiang Mai hotels like Sukantara also offer shuttle services or taxi pick-ups.

Best Time to Visit Chiang Mai

The best time to visit Chiang Mai is from November to February as the temperature is pleasant with warm days and cool nights. Winters in Chiang Mai see clear skies and many festivals like the Lantern Festival in November and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February. Add that to your list of “what not to miss in Chiang Mai”!

March to May is a difficult time due to the heat and pollution from stubble burning, while June to August is very hot and humid with frequent showers that disturb your experience, so it is best to avoid these months.

Plan your trip to Sukantara Cascade Resort and Spa, the best place to stay in Chiang Mai, you absolutely won’t regret it!

Transparency first, and always: Sukantara Cascade Resort took care of my stay but my views are purely my own. As always!