Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, 51/4 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-888-888, www.mandarinoriental.com . An extraordinary theme park of a resort on 60 landscaped acres about 20 minutes east of town. It re-creates a range of Thai architectural styles — including a gilded Buddhist temple and wooden rice barn. It has a rice paddy with water buffaloes, several swimming pools, tennis courts, four restaurants, a cooking academy and spa. Doubles from $450.
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim, Thailand; 011-66-53-298-181, www.fourseasons.com . A showcase for updated Lanna architecture, designed to suggest a village in the northern Thai foothills. It's set on 20 landscaped acres about 20 minutes north of Chiang Mai and has swimming pools, tennis courts, two restaurants, an award-winning spa and a Thai cooking school. Pavilion doubles start at $450.
Rachamankha, 6 Rachamankha 9; Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-904-111, www.rachamankha.com. A small, stunningly designed hotel on the quiet, west side of old Chiang Mai. Its courtyard layout was based on the chapel of a famous Thai temple in Lampang province and the décor is an Oriental minimalist blend, using Chinese porcelain, tasseled Lanna lanterns, bamboo mats and the owner's collection of Buddhist scripture chests. Pool, restaurant and gallery. Doubles from $171.
