Chiang Mai, Thailand
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai: Historic 1889 teak homestead in Chiang Mai with 30 suites, 25m vertical garden pool, and Nitra Spa
Built around an original 1889 black teakwood homestead that once served as the headquarters of the British Borneo Company, 137 Pillars House opened in 2012 in Chiang Mai’s leafy Wat Gate quarter. Designed by architects HABITA and P49 Deesign, the boutique retreat balances Victorian colonial heritage with contemporary Thai luxury across 30 expansive suites. Shaded by towering banyan trees and lush tropical gardens, the property preserves the intricate teak architecture of the historic residence while providing secluded sanctuary just moments from the Ping River.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed in the historic homestead and introduced to their dedicated personal butler. Day-one planning centers on scheduling bespoke experiences: private culinary masterclasses in northern Thai Lanna cuisine, guided cycling excursions through historic artisan villages, temple blessings at Wat Gate, and private boat trips along the Ping River.
Stays are characterized by bespoke luxury. The property’s centerpiece is a striking 25-metre lap swimming pool flanked by a magnificent 15-metre-high living green wall. Inclusions cover dedicated 24-hour butler service, high-speed Wi-Fi, fitness center access, and daily gourmet breakfast. Dining venues include The Dining Room, Palette, and the atmospheric Jack Bain’s Bar located in the historic 1889 teak house.
Accommodations comprise 30 suites across five distinct categories ranging from 70 to 135 square metres. Each suite features high ceilings, vintage tiled verandas with signature daybeds and planter’s chairs, walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding Victorian clawfoot bathtubs, and private open-air garden showers.
Heritage enthusiasts, couples, and discerning travelers seeking boutique residential intimacy, colonial architectural charm, and personal butler care should book 137 Pillars House without hesitation. Travelers seeking sprawling resort grounds, water slides, or immediate beach access should look to southern Thai beach resorts instead. Review evidence is firmly grounded across major platforms with a 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 612 reviews and a 9.4 out of 10 on Booking.com across 350 reviews.
First day
- Check in at the historic 1889 homestead and meet your personal butler over a herbal welcome tea.
- Unpack in your veranda suite and enjoy a swim in the 25-metre green-wall lap pool.
- Enjoy northern Thai Lanna tasting dishes in The Dining Room followed by a nightcap at Jack Bain’s Bar.
What guests say
Hotel Flock Score
Outstanding
Based on 805 published ratings
Category breakdown
Guests Love
Historic Teak Ambiance
Guests love the authentic 1889 colonial architecture, lush courtyard gardens, and stunning 25m vertical pool.
Attentive Butler Service
Reviewers praise the personal butlers for proactive care, customized recommendations, and thoughtful touches.
Guests Warn
Urban Garden Setting
Visitors note that the property is an intimate walled sanctuary in the city rather than a vast countryside estate.
Mosquitoes in Lush Gardens
Guests advise utilizing the provided natural botanical repellent when relaxing on outdoor verandas in the evening.
The overall score is a review-count-weighted average of named public platforms, normalized to /10. Category scores — including cleanliness and location — are Hotel Flock editorial readings of those reviews, not a platform's private formula. Hotel Flock is not affiliated with Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Trivago, or any other review site.
In the stay
- Dedicated 24-hour personal butler service for unpacking and itinerary management
- Full access to the 25-metre lap pool, fitness center, and tropical gardens
- Daily gourmet à la carte breakfast and high-speed wireless internet
Usually extra
- –Bespoke culinary cooking classes with market visits and organic farm tours
- –Nitra Serenity Spa holistic treatments, herbal steam sessions, and private yoga
Good to Know
- The property features 30 bespoke suites built around an original 1889 teakwood British Borneo Company headquarters.
- Includes a 25-metre outdoor lap pool with a 15-metre vertical garden, Nitra Serenity Spa, and 24-hour personal butler service.
- Located in the historic Wat Gate district on the eastern bank of the Ping River, a 15-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport.
Editor's Note
Book an East Borneo or William Bain Suite for private veranda daybeds overlooking the tropical gardens, and enjoy classic cocktails in the historic 1889 Jack Bain’s Bar.
Reviewed by Hotel Flock · Last updated September 2026