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As someone who was born in a hill station, I often find myself just as much at home in a cosy bungalow nestled in the mountains as I do with my toes between the sand by aquamarine waters. The first thought many of us, myself included, have when we think of a quick getaway points our compasses due south.
Still, there is a certain mystique which surrounds the northern parts of Thailand, much like the canopy of clouds shrouding Doi Inthanon.
I’m sure we all remember trips we took as children where our parents tried to pack Chiang Mai, The Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai, and the mountain tribes of the north all into one trip. My experience with the north of Thailand has been limited to a trip not dissimilar to this when I was barely out of elementary school so the idea of hitching a flight to the mountains sounded like the perfect getaway.
Kahavadi Chiang Rai, Curio Collection by Hilton, is one of the few branded properties in the Chiang Rai area and is only a twenty-minute drive from the airport itself.
As we drove through the slow, winding roads, we were greeted by endless lanes of foliage. In the middle of it all sits a large, Thai Lanna-style heritage mansion. Even the hotel’s name, Kahavadi comes from the Thai words kahabadee, meaning merchant, and vaadi, meaning walled place.
The intention is to bring travellers to a time where Chiang Rai was a port for merchants who traded in silk, spices, and other exotic goods.
Painted in all white, it stands out almost immediately. As you step into the lobby, you are greeted by warm lighting and more modern architecture as opposed to the traditional Thai style exteriors.
Our welcome extended beyond just the traditional welcome drink and cold towel press. Although we received a dragon blood tea welcome drink, a Chiang Rai specialty, the real highlight of the welcome was the Bai Sri Su Khwan ceremony.
The Phan Bai Sri floral arrangement was laden with sacred thread. According to Thai animistic beliefs, our body is home to 32 guardian spirits. During illness, travel, or major life shifts, these spirits can wander away. This ceremony is designed to call the spirits back home.
The staff at Kahavadi recited individual blessings as they tied the cotton threads around our wrists. This little slice of traditional Thai beliefs as part of welcoming guests to Kahavadi really stayed with me throughout the trip (I wore the thread for the entire duration as was advised) and highlighted how the property has intertwined local beliefs into their mythos.
During our stay, we had the pleasure of staying at the Twin Deluxe Room with the Garden Terrace. In addition to the spacious quarters, you could also step out onto the private terrace to enjoy your morning tea amidst the trees.
During the first evening of our stay, we were also gifted a selection of Thai snacks and sweets as well as a signature Kahavadi creation known as the Spiced trader. This gin and Campari cocktail mix infused with exotic traded spices was an extension of Kahavadi’s merchant house legend.
It was sharp and bittersweet to the taste but undercut beautifully by the Khanom piak poon (black coconut sweet pudding) which came with it. With such a grand welcome and expansive grounds to explore, we were ready to see all of what Kahavadi had to offer.
Kahavadi Chiang Rai is in possession of three F&B outlets, each with their own personal flair. On our first night, we had dinner at Larderley. Larderley is Kahavadi Chiang Rai’s all-day dining outlet.
The entire menu is inspired by the Thai pinto tradition of sharing meals and it is evident in the design of the restaurant. Scattered throughout the space are different styles of tiffin boxes, emphasising the philosophy of layered, shared meals.
Tasabiang is Kahavadi Chiang Rai’s upscale dining establishment. Perched right by the serene Mae Kok River, it is a gorgeous sight by nightfall with its flickering warm lights.
Tasabiang is a love letter to the Lanna culinary traditions, refined by Chef Aek through recipes passed down by his grandmother. The result is locally sourced ingredients, a fusion of tradition and innovation, and dishes that you might not find elsewhere. I certainly couldn’t!
Some of the highlights from our dinner at Tasabiang included the Tam ma khuea, a Chiang Rai-style spicy grilled eggplant baba ghanoush, Khao soi ravioli which made me believe in Thai-Italian fusion cuisine like never before, and Kanom wang, Lanna banana doughnuts served with coconut ice cream.
Finally, and perhaps my most anticipated outlet, we arrived, under the cloak of night, at The Ledger. Nowhere else does the merchant’s journey come to fruition the way it does at this lounge.
Dim with ambient lighting, it feels as though stepping into an old shophouse with its antiques and walls lined with treasured, antiquated maps of Chiang Rai. At the far end of The Ledger stands the bar, looking out to all its patrons.
From the crafted signature cocktails, we had the good fortune to taste The crimson seal, a Pu-erh tea infused cocktail with Chiang Rai rose wine and traditional Thai floral aromatics, as well as The haw trader.
Served in a traditional Chinese lidded teacup and saucer set, the cocktail is a blend of Mekhong rum, cardamom orgeat, and smoked Lan-Chang rice. The resulting drink is warm and perfect for the colder nights in the mountains.
Before we dive into the activities, I must make a special mention for the bicycles distributed across the property. At the entrance of each block of the accommodations are two bicycles, great for exploring the grounds.
Take some time to relax at the pool or keep up with your usual routine at the gym—all conveniently in the same area. After that, if you’re in the mood for some extra pampering, try the spa where techniques and treatments are inspired by Northern Thailand’s time-honoured traditions.
For me, the highlight was the different activities available to guests. Bookable beforehand, these activities range from painting mini pinto boxes to yoga by the river and even giving alms to local monks.
During my time at Kahavadi Chiang Rai, I took part in the creation of a local craft: Ta Laew. A traditional Lanna bamboo weaving, it symbolises watchfulness and protection against negative energies and the evil eye.
Special thanks has to be given to Khun Frame who supervised the activity and was incredibly patient as I did, and then re-did the bamboo cuttings.
During my stay, I also had the opportunity to meet with the General Manager of Kahavadi Chiang Rai, Terryn Schlenther, over a morning coffee. Naturally as Kahavadi Chiang Rai is such a young property, Masala had some burning questions that she was kind enough to answer.
This is a Curio Collection property by the Hilton brand. Why choose this brand for this location and hotel?
Kahavadi was created with a very clear vision: to bring a new expression of Chiang Rai hospitality to the market while remaining deeply connected to the character of Northern Thailand. From the beginning, we felt that Curio Collection by Hilton was the right fit because the brand celebrates individuality, local stories, and a strong sense of place, while giving us the support and global reach of Hilton.
Kahavadi is not intended to feel like a standard international hotel placed in Chiang Rai. Instead, we wanted guests to feel that they have discovered a place that could only exist here.
The mythos behind Kahavadi is that it is a restored merchant’s house from Lanna times. How does your team translate that narrative into the guest experience?
The story of Kahavadi is inspired by the old Lanna merchant houses and the trading culture that shaped Northern Thailand. We have taken that history and reinterpreted it in a contemporary way.
You can see the story in the architecture, materials, artwork, and handcrafted details, but it also continues through our dining concepts. We also try to bring the story to life through experiences from local culinary activities and cultural discoveries to seasonal celebrations and collaborations with local artists, chefs, and communities.
The idea is that guests should not simply see the story; they should experience it.
How does Kahavadi’s 1,980 square metres of event space, including the riverside lawn, adapt to celebrations whether they last a single day or require multiple days and setups?
One of the strengths of Kahavadi is that our event spaces can be adapted around the scale of each celebration. With 1,980 square metres of event space, including our expansive riverside lawn, we can accommodate everything from intimate gatherings and private celebrations to larger weddings, social events, and multi-day destination celebrations.
The riverside setting also gives us something very special. We can create different atmospheres throughout the day—from daytime ceremonies and lunches to sunset cocktails and evening celebrations under the stars.
The Indian market is now increasingly interested in the Northern part of Thailand due to its vast cultural heritage. How does Kahavadi appeal to the modern Indian traveller?
We see strong potential in the Indian market because Chiang Rai offers something beyond the traditional Thailand holiday. Indian travellers increasingly look for experiences that combine culture, food, nature, wellness, and meaningful time together. Kahavadi naturally fits into that journey, particularly for couples, families and multi-generational travellers.
At the hotel, we also understand the importance of hospitality that feels personal and flexible, particularly for families and celebrations.
We want Indian guests to feel that Chiang Rai is not simply another stop on their Thailand itinerary, but a destination worth discovering in its own right.
What makes Kahavadi Chiang Rai distinct from other luxury lifestyle resorts in Thailand?
For me, Kahavadi’s distinction comes from its sense of place.
There are many beautiful hotels in Thailand, but Kahavadi is deeply connected to Chiang Rai—its river, its history, its creative community, its food, and its culture. What excites me most about Chiang Rai is that there is still a strong sense of discovery.
The destination offers remarkable culture, nature, art, food, and heritage, but it still feels personal and unhurried. I believe the next generation of luxury travellers is looking for exactly that. Not simply luxury for its own sake, but places where they can discover something authentic, connect with the destination and create their own story.
That is what we hope Kahavadi can offer.