Hotel
137 Pillars House
All-suite heritage hotel in Wat Ket built around an 1889 teak house that was once part of the East Borneo Company's headquarters, with 30 suites and…
Rachamankha
Twenty-four-room courtyard hotel near Wat Phra Singh, designed by architect Ong-ard Satrabhandhu in 15th-century Lanna style, with a 20-metre pool and library.
At a glance
- Type
- Boutique heritage-style hotel
- Area
- Old City, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
Good to know
- Pool
- Library
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Gallery
Why we recommend it
Rachamankha is a small hotel inside the Old City walls, about 70 metres from the southern wall of Wat Phra Singh. It is owned by the interior designer Rooj Changtrakul and his stepfather, the award-winning Thai architect Ong-ard Satrabhandhu, and its design draws on 15th-century Lanna architecture, with a symmetry that also reflects Chinese influences.
The hotel is arranged around a series of courtyards, with white walls, raw silks and a collection of art and antiques displayed throughout. It was built on a previously derelict block, but the style is so carefully considered that it feels much older. There are 24 rooms, including two suites, so the atmosphere is quiet and personal.
Facilities include a 20-metre swimming pool with turquoise tiles, terracotta surrounds and daybeds, a library, and an art and antiques gallery. The dining room serves northern Thai and European dishes, with a bar beside it, and it is the only part of the hotel open to non-guests, which helps keep the courtyards peaceful. There is also a small boutique.
The location is excellent for sightseeing on foot. Wat Phra Singh is around the corner, and more than 35 temples are within reach of the hotel, along with the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road. The airport is about 15 minutes away by car.
Rachamankha suits couples, design lovers and travellers who prefer a calm, intimate hotel to a large resort. Book early for the cool season, as the small number of rooms fills quickly, and consider dinner in the dining room even if you are not staying, since it is open to non-guests.
Ask the hotel for help planning a temple walk from the front door, starting with Wat Phra Singh nearby. If you enjoy design and antiques, allow time to look at the collection displayed around the courtyards and in the gallery, and browse the library on a hot afternoon. Book the dining room for at least one evening, and use the pool between sightseeing trips. If you are visiting on a Sunday, the walking street market is close enough to visit on foot before returning for a quiet night.
Rachamankha FAQs
Who designed Rachamankha?
Architect Ong-ard Satrabhandhu, with interior designer Rooj Changtrakul.
How many rooms are there?
24 rooms, including two suites.
What is the design style?
15th-century Lanna architecture with Chinese-influenced symmetry, arranged around courtyards.
Is there a pool?
Yes, a 20-metre pool with daybeds.
Can non-guests eat there?
Yes, the dining room is open to non-guests.
Where is it?
At 6 Rachamankha Soi 9, about 70 metres from Wat Phra Singh.
How far is the airport?
About 15 minutes by car.
Is there a library?
Yes, along with an art and antiques gallery.