Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

The Ping River is the whole point here. The resort sits on Charoen Prathet Road with a restored colonial-era building at its heart, and the grounds run down to the water, which means you get gardens, a pool and a genuine sense of quiet a few minutes' walk from the Night Bazaar. That combination is rare in Chiang Mai. Most places give you one or the other.

Rooms and suites are on the polished end of things, there's a spa built around traditional northern Thai treatments, and the dining is refined rather than casual. I'd say this suits couples and anyone who wants a base for temples and the old city but doesn't fancy coming back to a noisy lobby. If you want a big family resort with kids' clubs and slides, this isn't it. The mood is hushed.

Come between November and February if you can. That's the cool season, and it's when the riverside terrace and garden actually earn their keep. April heat makes outdoor space a lot less appealing.