The Imperial River House Resort

The Imperial River House Resort is a riverside luxury hotel on Mae Kok Road, in the Rim Kok district on the edge of Chiang Rai. It is a quieter, more resort-like option than the city-centre hotels, with gardens, a terrace and an outdoor pool, and it is well placed for visitors whose main reason for coming is the temples. Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple, is about a five-minute walk away, and the airport is only around nine minutes by car, which makes arrival and departure refreshingly simple. The resort suits couples, honeymooners and travellers who want a calm base after a day of sightseeing. Six room types are offered, and rooms have air conditioning, large TVs, minibars and in-room safes, with balconies in some. Facilities include an outdoor pool and a children's pool, a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a snack bar and deli, a health club and in-room massages, so you can swim, eat and unwind without leaving the grounds.

The position has two sides. On one hand, you are close to the Blue Temple and a local market within a walk of about twelve minutes, so you can step out for breakfast snacks or a glimpse of everyday life. On the other, the clock tower, the night bazaar and the centre of Chiang Rai are about a six- to seven-minute drive away, so a taxi or ride app is needed for evenings in town.

This suits guests who prefer peace to nightlife, and it is easy to arrange the short trip when you want a market dinner.

Services are well organised. A concierge and tour and ticket assistance can arrange trips to the White Temple, the Black House, the Golden Triangle and the tea hills of Doi Mae Salong, and laundry and dry cleaning are available. Free self parking and free Wi-Fi are included. Buffet breakfast is available for a fee and an airport shuttle can be arranged on request for an extra charge per person. Pets and service animals are not permitted, and the premises are smoke-free.

Use the resort to pace your trip. Chiang Rai rewards early starts, because the White Temple is at its calmest and coolest in the morning, and the hotel can help with early breakfasts. Return in the afternoon for the pool and a massage, then take a short ride into town for the Saturday Walking Street or the night bazaar. That balance of active mornings and quiet afternoons is the main reason the resort has such an appreciative following.

The best months are the cooler ones from November to February, when evenings can be pleasantly cool and the riverside gardens are at their best. The hot season from March to May is warm and sometimes hazy, and the rainy season brings green hills and lower rates. Weekends can be busier with Thai travellers. Whatever the season, free cancellation is offered on select rates, so check your rate and read recent guest comments when you book.