CENTRAL RIVER HOUSE RESORT CHIANG RAI

Located three kilometres from Chiang Rai city centre and the Night Bazaar, the Central River House enjoys a secluded and peaceful existence overlooking the Mekok River . It features 30 spacious, luxuriously appointed rooms and six suites with private verandahs.

Although a small hotel, the rooms are kept in superb condition. The decoration is warm and relaxing. The design is not of a type that will make guests feel uneasy, or overbearing with formality. Glass walls take in light and offer scenic view during the day, but after sunset the whole building is shrouded in darkness.

The resort has two wings, one with rooms with odd numbers and the other with even numbers. I went up twice to the fourth floor only to find that I was in the wrong wing. But once I had figured things out, it's easy.

Facilities include riverfront swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi, fitness centre with view to the river, gardens with outdoor jogging track, the Tara Restaurant that offers all-day dining, library lounge, lobby lounge and a spa villa with outdoor treatment rooms.

Rack rates start from 6,800 baht per night for riverview deluxe rooms to 9,000 baht for a suite.