Stay & Play
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort
by Randy Mink
Nestled along the Ping River in the heart of Chiang Mai, this intimate, 45-room hideaway embodies Thailand’s distinctive character and warm hospitality. For three blissful days, Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort was my oasis, a cozy nest tucked away from street traffic yet a short walk from all the sizzle of Chiang Mai’s famous night market.
Na Nirand comprises six two-level buildings featuring teak wood and architectural elements evocative of the Lanna-colonial style prevalent in the late 19th century. Present-day Northern Thailand was part of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Colonial design influences give a nod toward the region’s British, Chinese and Myanmar trading history.
My second-floor room had teak and rattan furniture, teak floors, a beamed ceiling and a balcony that overlooked the central courtyard’s swimming pool and lawn. Framed swatches of handwoven Lanna textiles, two hanging lamps festooned with tassels, an antique-style telephone and wire-art figures above the headboard added to the ambience.
Out my bathroom window I could see the back wall of the beautiful Buddhist temple that I visited twice. Some guests could hear occasional chanting, and I heard crowing from roosters in the temple complex.
A separate riverfront building at Na Nirand, called House of Colonial, has a private pool and four luxurious, themed Riverfront Colonial Suites ideal for honeymooners: Burmese Dream, Enchanted Chinese, Harmonious British-Indian and Siamese Love.
An umbrella table on the waterside terrace of TIME Riverfront Cuisine & Bar, the resort’s restaurant, was a serene place to start the day. Its breakfast buffet offered a wide range of Asian and international fare, and the two cooks at the outdoor station whipped up great omelets, waffles and pancakes. The terrace was partly shaded by the massive spread of the shoreline’s iconic 100-year-old rain tree, the symbol of Na Nirand, a little slice of paradise.
