137 Pillars House
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Culture
- Foodies
- Luxury
- City
- Wellness
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Upscale heritage hotel in an arty district of Chiang Mai
137 Pillars House takes its name from the number of teak pillars holding up the original homestead, built in the 1880s as the headquarters of the Borneo Trading Company and later home to Louis Leonowens, son of Anna Leonowens of The King and I fame. The restored teak house holds 30 suites, two with their own small plunge pools. All suites have roll-top Victorian bathtubs, four-poster beds and indoor and outdoor showers. A 25-metre pool runs the length of a vertical garden wall at the property's centre, with an on-site museum tracing the house's teak-trading history.
Zero-emission samlor rides take guests through Chiang Mai's old town to nearby temples, including Wat Ket, where the hotel helps to fund its onsite museum. Activities at 137 Pillars House include a Thai cookery class to sublime spa treatment using organic ingredients grown in the hotel's own garden. In the evening, head to Jack Bain's Bar, named after the house's original occupant, before dinner at Palette, a Michelin-listed restaurant.
Sustainability
Climate & conservation
- Refillable glass water bottles replace single-use plastic in all suites
- Zero-carbon exploration of Chiang Mai temples by traditional samlor
- A 'Bottle Caps for Change' initiative transforms plastic and aluminium waste
- Sources free-range duck from Klong Phai Farm and herbs from its own garden
Community & culture
- A restored 19th-century teakwood residence, once the Borneo Company HQ
- Converts old desk calendars into Braille for the School for the Blind
- Showcases handcrafted textiles from partner Sop Moei Arts and local weavers
- Donates café proceeds to the Home4animals Foundation for rescued animals
- Supports the Wat Ket Temple and its annual rain tree blessing ceremony
Commercial
- Integrating the 'Responsible Hospitality Verified' framework across the group
- 'Stride & Sustain' project supports the Foundation for Education of Rural Children
- Recognised by Small Luxury Hotels of the World and the Michelin Guide
Sustainable Development Goals
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Life on Land (SDG 15)
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
In brief
- Price bracket
- ££
- Type of property
- Heritage hotel
- No. of rooms
- Boutique (11-50 rooms)
- Max guests per room
- Up to 4 guests
- Facilities
- Pool, Restaurant, Bar, Spa, Gym, Wi-Fi
- Activities
- Cooking classes, Cultural tours, Cultural visit
- Setting
- City
Best time to visit
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
The cool, dry season runs from November to February.
Kids
Families are welcome; contact the hotel for details on extra beds or cots.
Accessibility
Some accommodations for limited mobility, including ramps in circulation areas and spacious rooms, but not fully wheelchair accessible
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night
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