Named for the ancient tamarind tree that stands in the heart of the property, Tamarind Village is a unique boutique hotel at the heart of Chiang Mai’s old town, making it the perfect base for exploring the city. More than just a place to stay, Tamarind Village provides deep insight into the Lanna culture of the region.
Set around a series of traditional garden courtyards, the rooms and suites all reflect the rich culture of Northern Thailand. The entire hotel is a visual ode to Lanna artisans, lusciously decorated with hill tribe textiles and rich lacquerware.
It is also notably an oasis of tranquility in an otherwise busy city. Anyone who has been to Thailand is familiar with the endless sounds of beeping horns and traffic. It’s undoubtedly all part of the charm and vibrancy of the country, but sometimes it can get tiring.
Walking down the little bamboo lined drive to Tamarind Village somehow transports you a million miles away from all that. And the best part is that once you’ve recharged, the buzzing city is just at your doorstep once again.
Read on to find out why this little hotel quickly became one of my favourites.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tamarind Village
When did the hotel open?
Tamarind Village opened in 2002 after extensive work that retained its historic bones as the first true Lanna-syle hotel in Chiang Mai.
Is Tamarind Village part of a hotel group?
The hotel is part of a small Thai-owned chain called The Premier Group of Companies, which strive to balance profits with the good of its employees and society at large. Its sister hotels include Raya Heritage, located in greater Chiang Mai, Rayavadee in Krabi, and The Botanical House in Bangkok.
Is the property pet friendly?
Tamarind Village is unfortunately not pet friendly at this time.
Is the property accessible?
The hotel itself is molded around a very old, traditional property that is not totally accessible for someone with mobility issues. Still, there are many rooms on the ground floor with good access to the main resort amenities.
In three words…
cultural, serene, intimate.
Location of Tamarind Village
For a visitor who wants to experience the richness of Chiang Mai’s culture, I’d argue that there isn’t a better location in the city. Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, and the hotel is located within the ancient walls of what’s known as the Old City.
It’s a short walk away from bustling markets and more than one hundred temples, and spitting distance from the night market takes over the Old City once per week. The hotel is also very centrally located to explore all the other neighbourhoods throughout Chiang Mai.
Amenities at Tamarind Village
Bars & Restaurants
The hotel’s on site restaurant is often found on dining lists for the city’s top restaurants. Ruen Tamarind serves a large menu of regional Lanna dishes that can be difficult to come by elsewhere. The sophisticated dining area directly overlooks the hotel’s pool terrace, and has a rather romantic atmosphere as the sun sets.
Spa & Fitness
I was too busy running around the city to visit the spa, but I’ve heard wonderful things. The Village Spa has an extensive list of treatments, all of which incorporate traditional Lanna healing practices in one way or another with a goal of holistic healing.
The hotel does not have an on-site fitness centre, but will instead help organise outdoor activities like hikes and cycling throughout the city and countryside. The hotel also has features a large pool adjacent to the central courtyard, which I found perfect for breaking an morning sweat during my time there.
Cultural Programming
Beyond the stunning decor and phenomenal service, the cultural programming available through Tamarind Village was the biggest draw for me. To start, complementary cultural activities are offered every afternoon in the shade of the tamarind tree, such as making herbal compresses or lotus leaf folding.
They also host a complimentary two hour long Village Walk for guests around through the surrounding old city with a local guide, in addition to paid specialised tours throughout the region.
We opted for the morning samlor tour, which took us to the bustling Chiang Mai Gate Market with a local guide before exploring local temples and making offerings to the monks. After our private tour, we joined the Village Walk with our same guide to learn more history about the area and explore local street food spots.
A bonus to all of this cultural programming is their thoughtfully curated gift shop, called the Tamarind Boutique. It is chock full of high-end clothing, jewelry, and home decor made by contemporary local artisans from neighbouring hill tribe communities – this is worth stopping in even if you aren’t staying on the property itself.
The Rooms at Tamarind Village
Woven throughout the verdant courtyards are 41 rooms and 5 suites, all individually appointed with some stylistic cohesion depending on whether you choose a Tamarind or Lanna style room. Each room is individually appointed due in part to the building’s historic foundations, but all feature a range of both artisan and antique decorations.
I stayed in a Lanna Suite, located on the second floor with a balcony overlooking the main courtyard and its majestic tamarind tree. I have to admit, the room was tiny for a person of my height, but that does come with the package sometimes in historic properties.
While I loved the view, I will probably request a ground floor suite on my next visit, and would especially love to try out the lush Spa Suite. If you have any preferences, I recommend emailing the concierge ahead of time, as I found them more than happy to help you pick out your perfect room.
Sustainability at Tamarind Village
Environmental advocacy was visibly at the forefront of day-to-day operations during my stay. Tamarind Village have earned the hotel the ASEAN Green Award, with practices ranging from energy efficient heat exchange to local ingredient sourcing and composting waste. Sustainability here goes far beyond just the environment, however, leading the way for corporate social responsibility practices.
Tamarind Village supports the indigenous (and often marginalised) hill tribe communities both socially and economically through purchases of skilled crafts and employment opportunities. The hotel also provides all of its employees with paid volunteer time with local organisations, and commutes 5% of their profits to its in-house charity.
Overall
I can’t tell you how much I loved my stay at Tamarind Village, and it will be my first choice for my next trip back to Chiang Mai. Staying here added so much to my experience and understanding of both the city and the people that inhabit it, and I honestly could not have imagined the trip without it. It is a unique property that offers an oasis of tranquility, the perfect base for exploring Chiang Mai and beyond.
