Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is located on the banks of the Mae Ping River in the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is a serene luxury resort located on the banks of the Mae Ping River in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The city is known for its beautiful temples, artisan villages, mountain hill tribes, and Lanna heritage. The stunning property features an open-plan tropical design with 52 deluxe contemporary rooms, in addition to 32 suites, and 25 serviced suites, which are ideal for long-term stays and families.

The resort has a 100-year-old heritage house for fine dining and events, along with a 34-meter riverside pool overlooking the river where guests can relax under umbrellas while having beverages brought to their loungers. Private and group Muay Thai boxing classes are also available so that guests can learn the traditional Thai martial art.

Anantara Spa at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort offers the ultimate wellness sanctuary where guests can relax and indulge in an array of decadent spa journeys inspired by traditional Lanna rituals. The spa’s minimalist exteriors give way to a luxurious inner sanctum, and includes individual and couples treatment rooms, a Thai massage room, manicure and pedicure lounge, and both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. The menu includes beautifying treatments from Elemis, and guests can also experience poolside massages and the magic of a slumber guru in-suite.

We interviewed Spa Director Karnsiri Mathurot, who shared insider tips, recommended treatments to try, and more:

The resort has a 34-meter pool that overlooks the river.

Why You’ll Love It: Anantara Spa at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is staffed by a team of highly trained therapists who are deeply skilled in the various treatment techniques we offer at our spa facility. Our therapists are in tune with guests wishes, and adapt their style and technique to suit the individual tastes and preferences of our guests.

Guests can enjoy sunbathing in the pool while beverages are served to them in their comfortable loungers.

Key Features: We have a total of 10 treatment rooms, which are appointed in teak wood decor and available in both single and double configurations, with dedicated treatment beds for Thai massage, oil massage, and many other treatments, including facials. The rooms also feature individual showers, bathtubs, toilets, and lockers ensuring maximum comfort and privacy throughout the treatment.

Anantara Spa at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort features minimalist exteriors that give way to a luxurious inner sanctum.

Bonus: We have a relaxation zone for guests to unwind post-treatment, which overlooks the resort pool and landscaped gardens, as well as the Ping River. It is the ideal spot to lounge while enjoying complimentary tea and northern Thai refreshments after a massage or facial.

Spa Snacks: After each treatment, our guests are escorted to the relaxation zone to enjoy a refreshing herbal tea, which is made from indigenous local ingredients complemented by Thai rice crackers known as “Khao Tan.” This is a nice break after a treatment before easing yourself back into your day.

After their treatments, guests are served refreshing herbal tea in the spa’s indoor relaxation lounge.

Insider’s Tip: Book our Thai Massage Guru! A bucket list experience for anyone visiting Thailand, few travellers consider a trip to the Kingdom of Thailand complete without the deep stretching and kneading experience of a Thai massage. But many people are hesitant to go for one because they are afraid of the pressure.

Our Thai Massage Guru, Panissara Chaokhelang (aka Khun Noot), boasts almost 20 years as a Thai massage therapist. Growing up in rural Thailand, where there were no trained or licensed massage therapists in her village, her mother would ask her to walk on her sore back and aching legs after a long day working at the market.

Before she was even 10 years old, she was taught Thai massage techniques. She pursued physiotherapy at the university in Chiang Mai and went on to study massage at Chivasom Academy in Bangkok before returning to Chiang Mai, where she specialized in Lanna-style Thai massage and reflexology. Rather than finding work as a physiotherapist in a hospital, Noot opted for the more serene spa environment.
Her approach with guests is to hold a consultation before the massage to discuss any concerns and better understand what they need out of their massage.

The spa’s indoor relaxation lounge overlooks the riverside pool.

Unique Treatment: We offer a northern Thai-inspired treatment called Lanna Ritual. Many centuries ago, Chiang Mai was its own kingdom under the Lanna Empire, which had its own customs, traditions, and even language. Our Lanna Ritual treatment is a 1.5-hour oil massage with a natural essential oils blend that includes flowers and herbs unique to this part of the country. We recommend that everyone try it at least once during their stay in Chiang Mai!

Insider’s Favorite: I think everybody has their own preferences, but for myself a truly blissful spa day will involve beginning with a full-body scrub to shed off dead skin cells, followed by a milky lavender bath where I just soak for half-an-hour and get into a relaxed state of mind. After this, I’ll continue with a 90-minute Anantara Signature Massage, which is a mixture of both dry and oil massage that really helps to loosen up tense muscles. After the body pampering, I would finally enjoy a lush facial by Intraceuticals, the Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Oxygen Facial, which leaves me feeling totally refreshed.

Splurge Treatment: We have a number of packages and special offers at any given time, which range from a combination of treatments that are designed to balance and complement each other. Choose from a seven-day wellness retreat at our resort with daily treatments and nutrition plans, which are tailor-made for each individual.

The spa includes five couples’ treatment rooms with an herbal steam room, aromatic sauna, and terrazzo bathtub.

Featured Products: We have our own Anantara Spa brand product line, which is chemical-free and made from 100% natural ingredients sourced right here from Thailand. For some treatments we also offer the option to upgrade the products to be from the Elemis brand. Additionally, guests who would like to continue to use the products at home or bring some home for friends or family are able to purchase them on-site in consultation with our staff, who will provide expert recommendations and answer any questions they may have.

For more information and to book a treatment, visit the website and follow them on Instagram: @anantara_chiangmai

[Images courtesy of Anantara Chiang Mai Resort]