We review 137 Pillars House in Thailand: a boutique stay rooted in Chiang Mai’s past

A boutique heritage hotel built around a restored 19th-century teak house once tied to Chiang Mai’s colonial-era teak trade, 137 Pillars House blends old-world craft with contemporary calm. Set in the quiet riverside neighbourhood of Wat Ket, it offers leafy tranquillity, elegant suites and service that feels both warm and unhurried. We recently checked in and were left in awe of this special property.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

137 Pillars House review

Arrival and welcome

Chiang Mai moves at a gentler pace in the late afternoon, and 137 Pillars House seems to match it instinctively. I arrived as the light softened and the neighbourhood grew still. The entrance is discreet enough to miss if you’re not looking for it, which only adds to the satisfaction of slipping inside. 

The open-air reception sets the tone: ceiling fans circling slowly, vintage photos that nod to the hotel’s teak-trading past, and staff who appear precisely when needed. Check-in took place on a lounge chair rather than a counter; a chilled glass of Roselle tea and a scented towel instantly made the Chiang Mai heat feel manageable.

Toto, who became our unofficial guide during our stay, led us through the grounds and pointed out the details that root this place in its past. The central teak house, with its 137 pillars and British-Borneo Trading Company history, is not just architecture. It is the anchor for everything around it.

Design and grounds

Some heritage hotels feel preserved. This one feels lived in. The restored teak house with its broad verandahs and carved balustrades reminded me of the era when merchants harvested teak from the ancient forests, and elephants hauled the logs to the Ping River before they were sent downstream. The resort’s suites sit quietly behind dense landscaping, connected by shaded paths and pockets of garden that appear curated but never overly manicured.

The 25-metre pool runs alongside a tall green wall that keeps the space cool and private. Lawns, mature trees, and wide verandahs encourage idling. Even with guests around, the hotel rarely breaks its unhurried rhythm.

The rooms

Boutique in size, 137 Pillars House has just 30 sumptuous suites and is situated in a leafy area, once the original foreigners’ enclave of the ancient Lanna Capital of Chiang Mai. The two top-level Louis Leonowens Suites boast their own private pools.

We stayed in a Rajah Brooke Suite, their smallest at 70 square metres, yet decidedly generous. Inside, vaulted ceilings, warm woods, a four-poster king bed, a two-seater lounge, and soft textiles balance the tropical light. 

Outside, the verandah, built for lingering, became our nightly ritual spot: rocking chair, slow fan, mosquito coil lit during turn-down, and a drink in hand while the gardens dimmed. 

The bathroom deserves its own chapter. Indoor and outdoor rain showers, a roll-top tub, and enough space to avoid the usual dance of “you take that corner, I’ll take this one.” Little touches show the hotel’s quietly modern sensibility: compostable coffee capsules, organic Saro teas, and linens that made me consider replacing our own.

Dining and drinks

Breakfast at The Dining Room is calm despite the breadth of choice. An à la carte menu complements small stations offering fresh fruit, pastries, petite gourmet selections and Thai dishes prepared without fuss. Soft celadon-hued curtains and natural light give the space an easy start-of-day serenity.

Dinner at Palette brings you into the historic teak house itself. My meal leaned on northern Thai flavours without overwhelming the palate. The Gaeng Hung Lay Gae was a standout: aromatic, spicy yet not fiery, and one of my wife’s favourites. Before or after, Jack Bain’s Bar where you want to end up. The room has just enough colonial swagger to work, and the cocktails arrive with a touch of theatre. Yes, there was a smoke-filled dome, and yes, it felt fun rather than gimmicky.

Wellness and facilities

Nitra Spa is a compact den of wellness. My deep-tissue massage with Fon was firm, precise, and better than several treatments I have had in larger city spas. Elsewhere on the property, you’ll find a modern and equipment-rich gym, a small boutique of exquisite artworks, wearable pieces and accessories worth taking home, and a croquet set on the lawn that makes perfect sense once you’re there.

An informative on-site museum shows the restoration journey of the original teak house. It is worth your time. The more you understand the building, the more the hotel’s design choices make sense.

Location

Wat Ket remains one of Chiang Mai’s most interesting pockets. It’s a mix of old merchant houses, riverside cafés, and a lived-in calm that separates it from the tourist thrum of the Old City. From the hotel, we took the short walk to Chansom Memorial Bridge crossing to Warorot Market for fruit, flowers and street snacks, and on to the Old City. All are close enough to explore on foot, yet far enough that evenings remain peaceful.

Sustainability and ethos

Sustainability here feels grounded. Compostable coffee pods, locally sourced products and partnerships with community organisations all show up throughout the stay. The collaboration with Elephant Nature Park stands out for its tangible impact on conservation and reforestation. The ethos seems to be: do the work, let guests notice naturally.

The verdict

A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, 137 Pillars House is a refined, quietly confident boutique heritage hotel with a strong sense of place. It suits travellers who appreciate meaningful architecture, attentive service, and a slower pace that still keeps Chiang Mai’s markets and temples within reach. With its teak-house soul and contemporary comfort, it is one of the city’s most memorable stays in my book. 

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