Embrace Northern Thailand’s rich the heritage and traditions including golden teak temples, mountains, forests, and hill-tribe communities at this forest retreat in Chiang Mai. Set in the foothills of three mountain ranges, just a few miles from the ancient capital of Chiang Mai, it was originally a family’s winter retreat. It is the ideal location for exploring the nearby hills and valleys either on horseback, taking gentle hikes, or going bamboo rafting along streams and rivers. Guests can also visit local farms, gardens and orchards.
Offering every contemporary comfort, the imposing example of Lanna-style architecture has several pavilions on the property that date back to the 13thcentury. The four-unit residence is also filled with antiques, and artefacts including a fine collection of Sukhothai and pre-Lanna porcelain as well as Buddha statues from different periods.
Ms. Anantika Ratnamhin
Your Host and The Team
“Northern Thailand is a blessed region – with nature, food, and the root of the Thai sense of aesthetics and creativity. This area allows one to experience what old Thailand and true Thai culture is about. The Rose of the North’s way of life is still intact here. We want to share it with the world through our eyes, our approach, and our sense of hospitality.”
Passionate about quality hospitality, good food and dining experiences, the freshest organic produce is a must and the fertile lands near her home in northern Thailand inspired Anantika to work directly hand in hand with local farmers, and to establish her own farm, thereby ensuring quality produce for all her ventures.
Anantika’s vision is beautifully connected from the nurtured soils of the farms, where the journey starts, to the wonderful pop-up dining events in the northern Thai hills replete with classical music performances by some of Thailand’s top musicians and opera singers, and the pleasing interior design of her restaurants and hotel rooms, where you would swear the colour palette has been inspired by the light and colours of the seasons from a picture postcard countryside scene. Every corner and every setting are pleasing to the eye in the most natural way. Her interiors are imbued with an old-world charm that is normally only found in seasoned old country houses. A warm inviting homely atmosphere that inspires the sort of nostalgic slow-life contemplation of simply enjoying the moment that we all crave these days – this is her art.
Rooms
The 3-Bedroom Lower House
The 3-Bedroom Lower House
PICTURES >
The spacious 215sqm 3-Bedroom Lower House comprises 2 suites comfortably sleeping up to 6-people on existing bedding. The 2-bedroom Master Suite and the 1-bedroom suite, the Hidden Lily Room. Both suites enjoy private en-suite bathrooms. The Lower House also includes a living area of 45sqm with lounge, direct access to outdoor and in-garden dining areas and a relaxing open Sala pavilion.
The Master Suite at 120sqm includes a king bed in the master bedroom and a queen bed in the second bedroom. These 2 bedrooms share a bathroom fitted with a bathtub and separate walk-in rain shower.
The second suite is The Hidden Lily room. This spacious suite at 50sqm is set with an antique 4-poster bed and the windows open to share impressive views of the surrounding forest. The en-suite bathroom is set with a bathtub and a walk-in rain shower.
The Master Suite at 120sqm includes a king bed in the master bedroom and a queen bed in the second bedroom. These 2 bedrooms share a bathroom fitted with a bathtub and separate walk-in rain shower.
The second suite is The Hidden Lily room. This spacious suite at 50sqm is set with an antique 4-poster bed and the windows open to share impressive views of the surrounding forest. The en-suite bathroom is set with a bathtub and a walk-in rain shower.
The 3-Bedroom Upper House
The 3-Bedroom Upper House
PICTURES >
The spacious 200sqm 3-Bedroom Upper House includes The Rose of the North 2-bedroom suite and the Hollyhock Room 1-bedroom suite which together comfortably sleep up to 6-people on existing bedding. The Upper House also has a fully equipped indoor kitchen, dining room, formal living hall, and lounge, all overlooking the forest, as shared space within this floor for all 3 bedrooms of the Upper House.
Secreted away up a spiral staircase at the very top of the Upper House is the secret jewel of Vana Som. The owner’s family shrine, with an impressive collection of Buddha images, is housed in this secret space. The shrine makes for a perfect quiet spot to practice meditation or simply take some quiet time with a good book.
The Rose of the North suite is a 120sqm 2-bedroom suite which houses its own separate living room and working space set with a desk, as well as a balcony. The Master Bedroom is set with a king bed and the second bedroom is fitted with a queen-sized bed. The suite’s bathroom, shared by both bedrooms, enjoys stunning tree- top views of the surrounding forest and is set both with a large jacuzzi bathtub and a separate rain-shower.
The Hollyhock Room at 80sqm is the 3rd bedroom of the Upper House. This suite has wonderful views of the forest and comprises a large bedroom, lounge, and walk-in dressing room. The bedroom is set with a king bed and an en-suite bathroom fitted with a bathtub and a separate rain-shower.
Secreted away up a spiral staircase at the very top of the Upper House is the secret jewel of Vana Som. The owner’s family shrine, with an impressive collection of Buddha images, is housed in this secret space. The shrine makes for a perfect quiet spot to practice meditation or simply take some quiet time with a good book.
The Rose of the North suite is a 120sqm 2-bedroom suite which houses its own separate living room and working space set with a desk, as well as a balcony. The Master Bedroom is set with a king bed and the second bedroom is fitted with a queen-sized bed. The suite’s bathroom, shared by both bedrooms, enjoys stunning tree- top views of the surrounding forest and is set both with a large jacuzzi bathtub and a separate rain-shower.
The Hollyhock Room at 80sqm is the 3rd bedroom of the Upper House. This suite has wonderful views of the forest and comprises a large bedroom, lounge, and walk-in dressing room. The bedroom is set with a king bed and an en-suite bathroom fitted with a bathtub and a separate rain-shower.
Facilities and Highlights
Concierge/Tour Desk
Wifi
Boutique
Air Conditioning
Gay Friendly
Wedding/Event
Historic House
Eco Friendly
Nature
Garden
Spa/Massage
Gym
Yoga/Meditation
Bar/Lounge
Restaurant
Cooking Class
Wine Cellar
Art/Antiques
Artisan Village
Traditional Arts
Minority Tribes
Wildlife
Birdwatching
Golf
Polo
Farm/PlantationShow/hide facilities
Facilities and Highlights
-
Concierge/Tour DeskWifiBoutiqueAir ConditioningGay FriendlyWedding/EventHistoric HouseEco FriendlyNatureGarden
- Spa/MassageGymYoga/MeditationBar/LoungeRestaurantCooking ClassWine CellarArt/AntiquesArtisan VillageTraditional Arts
- Minority TribesWildlifeBirdwatchingGolfPoloFarm/Plantation
- The Gardens: The estate’s gardens house a collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. The outdoor amphitheatre lawn was designed as a creative space, and is an ideal venue for events and parties.
- Terra and Farmer’s Bar: Local produce is abundant here, allowing the chef to create delicious regional delicacies alongside traditional dishes. Vana Som’s sister establishment, Terra restaurant is also a member of Secret Tables.
- Mollisol Farm: a little farmhouse in the highland where only the sun, the moon, stars and candlelight illuminate. Located 40mn drive from Vanasom, the Farm is a great outdoor original experience for country retreat or sunset champagne picnics, promoting organic and sustainable eating with locally grown seasonal produce.
Useful Information
GENERAL
Total number of rooms: 2 units (6 bedrooms)Annual closing:
open all year
Time zone: (GMT+07:00) Bangkok
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners, UnionPay
Electricity voltage: 220V
Electricity plug type:
CONCIERGE
Your concierge is ready to assist you with planning and completing your reservation, contact them on dream@secret-retreats.comACCESS
From Chiang Mai, take highway towards Maerim-Samoeng Road. After the junction in Maerim, turn left towards the Maesa waterfall and Samoeng District, and continue driving for about 2 km. At the small road, turn left towards The Four Seasons Resort and drive in for approximately 1.5 km. Upon reaching the main entrance at The Four Seasons, continue driving. Vana Som is situated directly opposite the resort’s main gate.Airport: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) - 22 km
Train Station: Chiang Mai Station - 22 km
CONTACT
512/6 Moo.1, Tambon Rimtai – Mae Rim , ThailandCONTACT HERE
We Care
The Mountain Foundation
As a family and a private organisation, this forest retreat actively contributes to various local charities, particularly in causes concerning forest restoration and conservation, sustainable agriculture, and stateless citizens. It also promotes and advocates good practice and skills by lending support to the rural community through hospitality training and creativity.
As a family and a private organisation, this forest retreat actively contributes to various local charities, particularly in causes concerning forest restoration and conservation, sustainable agriculture, and stateless citizens. It also promotes and advocates good practice and skills by lending support to the rural community through hospitality training and creativity.
“Meaning “a peaceful place in the woods”, this forest retreat is a jewel. Featuring four units and some structures that date back to the 13thcentury, the classic Siamese-Lanna country manor reflects Northern Thailand’s rich heritage and traditions.”
Kim, the discoverer.
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