Pillars House
Old-world colonial elegance meets tropical garden retreat. Rattan furniture, tiled verandas, heritage teak joinery, and cane shades throughout. More refined country estate than slick urban hotel — decidedly adult, quietly sophisticated, with an intimacy that larger properties can't replicate.
Book directly with the hotel — you get a complimentary one-way airport transfer and 10% off spa treatments that OTAs don't offer.
Why It Matters
Holds a Michelin Key, is listed on Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and earned a place on Travel + Leisure's 2026 T+L 500 list. The building itself is a genuine piece of Chiang Mai history — tied to Thailand's 19th-century teak industry — and the hotel funds an on-property museum, supports Elephant Nature Park monthly, and runs zero-emission samlor (rickshaw) temple tours. Each guest gets a personal butler.
A 30-suite luxury boutique hotel built around a preserved teakwood homestead dating to the 1880s, originally the headquarters of the East Borneo Company. The name comes from a literal pillar count — Jack Bain, a former owner, tallied 137 in total. Restored with great respect for its Colonial Lanna architecture, the property blends 19th-century teak craftsmanship with genuinely modern comfort. Think butler-attended stays, Victorian bathtubs, and outdoor garden showers, all within a quiet residential corner of Chiang Mai's Wat Gate neighbourhood.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
D.F. MacFie Suite
Named after David Fleming MacFie, one of the Borneo Company's key figures. This suite has an expanded living area with a king bed, a single sofa bed, and a customized divan that serves as seating by day and converts to a double bed at night — flexible for three guests. Balcony, Victorian bathtub, and indoor/outdoor garden showers complete the picture.
King with customized divan · 80 sqm
East Borneo Suite
Named after the company that once occupied this teak homestead. Sleeps up to 3 with a king or twin bed plus a sofa bed, a balcony, Victorian bathtub, and both indoor and outdoor garden showers. Slightly larger than the Rajah Brooke, making it a practical choice for solo travellers needing workspace or couples with one accompanying guest.
King or twin with sofa bed · 75 sqmLouis Leonowens Pool Suite
The largest and most indulgent suite in the house, named after Louis Leonowens (son of Anna of The King and I fame), who ran a trading company in Chiang Mai. At 135 sq m it has its own private swimming pool, a separate living room, a balcony, a sunken bathtub, and both indoor and outdoor garden showers. Sleeps four. The pool villa experience without leaving the boutique property.
King with king or Hollywood twin sofa bed · 135 sqmRajah Brooke Suite
The entry-level suite named after James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. Fits two guests comfortably with a king or Hollywood twin bed configuration, a balcony overlooking tropical gardens, en-suite bathroom with a freestanding Victorian bathtub, plus both indoor and outdoor garden showers. Tiled verandas and rattan furniture throughout.
King or Hollywood twin · 70 sqmWilliam Bain Terrace Suite
A step up in scale with a proper separate living room and a terrace. The bathroom's sunken bathtub overlooks tropical foliage — a genuinely memorable detail. Sleeps four and has both indoor and outdoor garden showers. Named after Jack Bain's predecessor, who expanded the Borneo Company's presence in northern Thailand.
King with king or Hollywood twin sofa bed · 100 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Hands-on workshops in traditional crafts including pottery, painting, and weaving, led by local artisans. Part of the hotel's broader community engagement programme.
A small museum within the property exploring the history of the Borneo Company and the teak trade that shaped northern Thailand in the 19th century. Free for guests.
A half-day tour of Chiang Mai's temples by traditional samlor (rickshaw) — a zero-emission way to see the Wat Gate area and surrounding cultural sites. Curated and operated by the hotel.
A curated series of cultural experiences inspired by the historic teak wallahs who once moved through this residence. Includes guided storytelling, heritage exploration of the property and surrounding Wat Gate area.
Arranged day excursion to an elephant sanctuary and rehabilitation centre near Chiang Mai. Hotel coordinates transport and logistics. The Teak Wallah Collection package includes this as a highlight.
Periodic scheduled events on the hotel lawn including Thai music performances, traditional dancing displays, cultural lectures, and cocktail parties. Schedule varies by season.
Small, in-house cooking school where guests can learn to prepare Thai dishes. Focused on seasonal, locally sourced produce from the nearby farmers' market.
Yoga and Tai Chi sessions available on request, arranged through your butler. Personal trainer sessions also available through the gym.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site business center and meeting rooms available for corporate travellers and small events.
A shuttered colonial lounge dotted with blue-hued seats and ceramic sidetables. Books on old Chiang Mai and Borneo Company history line the shelves. Used for afternoon tea and pre-dinner drinks.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Room service available daily from 6:30am to 10:00pm with the full menu.
English-speaking babysitters available. Must be arranged at least 24 hours in advance through your butler or Guest Services.
Air-conditioned facility open 24 hours daily. Equipped with a modern multi-station free unit, free weights, treadmills, elliptical trainer, and an exercise bike. Located on the lower level of the main 137 Pillars House building — with glass walls overlooking cabinets of archaeological curios.
A 25 x 5.5 metre lap pool set in the tropical gardens, open 7am–7pm. Sun loungers, umbrellas, and poolside food and drink service available.
Complimentary minibar stocked in all suites, including drinking water. Personal espresso machine included with Stay Longer packages.
Thai Baht exchange for most international currencies available at the hotel; other currencies can be arranged through an authorised centre.
Every guest is assigned a dedicated personal butler throughout their stay. Butlers handle everything from itinerary planning to dining reservations, laundry, and general guest requests.
Small on-site retail shop selling authentic Thai artefacts, artisan crafts, and conveniences including mosquito repellent and postcards.
Chauffeur-driven limousines and new model vans available by hourly and daily rates and for airport transfers. Direct bookings include complimentary one-way airport transfer.
BUILD YOUR 137 PILLARS HOUSE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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