Wander through Chiang Mai and Lanna / A century-old traditional house transformed into a boutique hotel, beloved by a Thai princess!

Text & Photography / Chen Yu-An | Collaborating Organization / Tourism Authority of Thailand

Five to six hundred years ago, Charoenrat Road on the eastern bank of the Ping River in Chiang Mai was a bustling trading dock, frequented by merchants from neighboring countries such as China and Myanmar...

Chiang Mai’s earliest trading post, witness to a century-old teak-built doctor’s clinic

Rarinjinda Hotel did not demolish the beautiful teak building during development. They preserved the original structure and some century-old furniture, turning it into one of the most unique wellness spas in the region. The hotel buildings are situated around the old house, and to make dining more convenient for guests, the owner reclaimed land by the river and built a modern riverside restaurant right across from the hotel.

This 150-year-old black teak house was originally owned by a Burmese person, then later passed to Dr. Jinda, an overseas-educated physician who opened a private clinic in Chiang Mai. Due to his dedication to local healthcare, the late Princess Galyani Vadhana, sister of the current King of Thailand, once visited during her lifetime. Because of this connection, the current Second Princess of the Thai Royal Family chose to stay here after the hotel's opening. The hotel is named after the doctor, Jinda, and “rarin,” meaning water, succinctly reflecting its background and location.

To create a classical ambiance, the hotel uses a color scheme almost identical to that of the old doctor’s house—white backgrounds accented with dark brown wood tones, with winding ponds and streams and tropical plants adding decoration. In the early morning, hotel staff hand-pack herbal packages for spa treatments under the pavilion at the entrance. In the crisp winter air, the scents of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and various herbs mingle together. Take a deep breath—the natural fragrance gently awakens the body after a night’s sleep, even more soothingly than coffee.