Chiang Mai Hotels & Resorts - Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi

The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chaing Mai is one of those "Destination Resorts" that will blow you away when you arrive. The design is opulence taken to the extreme, and no square inch has been left untouched in order to create a total fantasy world which transports the guests to another place. This is usually not my cup of tea, but it is a visual spectacle you don't want to miss. You can literally see where all the money went !

The road leading to the resort passes through a small village. It really doesn't prepare you for what is to come.

From here, you begin to get a glimpse of the palatial resort. The telltale sign that you are entering something totally different from a normal resort is this pony carriage.


The opulent entrance structure and lobby.


Rooms are in 2-storey colonial blocks surrounded by immaculate gardens.


Even the swimming pool is enormous.


Everything about the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is designed to wow, and for the targeted well-heeled traveller this is no doubt one of their top options. As for me, I prefer the more understated approach. Still, you should make a trip just to see this marvel of the modern tourism industry.