Hotel review: Meliá Chiang Mai

The Meliá Chiang Mai, which opened 18 months ago in Chiang Mai, occupies one of the first high-rise buildings in the city and offers spectacular views across Thailand’s mountainous north. 

The 260-room urban property caters to couples, business travellers and families alike. Travelling with a three-year-old, we were blown away by the consideration given to families here, so if you’re thinking of heading to Chaing Mai with little ones in tow, this review is for you. 

The hotel is just six kilometres from Chiang Mai International Airport on Charoen Prathet Road, within walking distance from the city’s bustling Night Bazaar and close to tourist attractions, markets and Buddhist temples. 

Respite from the city

In the 18 months that Meliá Chiang Mai has been open, it’s already scooped a streak of awards, including “Best Hotel Lobby Interior – Thailand” and “Best Hotel Spa Interior – Thailand”, awarded by the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards 2023. Awards that the hotel credits to Thai-based interior design firm PIA Interior, responsible for the complete fit-out. 

Guest rooms are bright, modern, elegant and considerate of the contemporary traveller, with tranquil furnishings and space to kick back and relax in king-size or Hollywood twin beds and chaise lounges that stretch the length of the window.

Two hundred and sixty rooms vary in size from the 30 sqm Meliá Room to the 113 sqm The Level Presidential Suite. In between, there are Family Rooms with ample space for additional beds and Corner, Premium and The Level Premium Rooms, which have added comfort and amenities and access to The Level Lounge on the 21st floor. Interconnecting rooms for families and groups are also available upon request. 

Mums & Dads – listen up

Along with an impressive outdoor pool, award-winning spa, and executive lounge (more on those later), the facilities for children set this hotel apart. First, Kidsdom is an expansive kids’ club and hotel programme open from 7 am-7 pm daily and caters to children aged 3-18. 

As someone who has toured a lot of kids’ clubs, I rank this one within my top three worldwide. It’s expansive, brand new and pristine, with numerous sections including a ‘gaming zone’ offering wholesome games such as Chess, Monopoly, Uno, Jenga, Tic-tac-toe and table football, and a ‘teen club zone’ featuring a drawing board, watercolours, colouring pencils and crayons. In addition to a ‘mini club’ replete with Lego, rocking horses, indoor sliders, a ball pit and wooden block puzzles, Kidsdom is also home to a library zone, TV zone and all-important nap studio.

On the day we arrived, the library was being replenished with a fresh delivery of books about space and wildlife at the request of the hotel’s General Manager, Marc Selinger (as a father of young children, you can tell he gets it).

An action-packed schedule of activities awaits children throughout the day with options such as yoga, little chef culinary lessons, crafts made from recycled material, painting umbrellas and much more. And, when it’s time to head outside, a shallow pool and play area offers little ones hours of fun with water slides, fountains, and a giant tipping bucket. 

Food & drink

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins (Meliá Hotels International was founded in Mallorca in 1956 and currently operates over 370 hotels worldwide), Laan Na Kitchen, adjacent to the hotel lobby, offers a slice of elevated European cuisine – think paellas and perfectly grilled sea bass. Breakfast is also served buffet style here. 

Upstairs on the 21st floor, Mai Restaurant & Bar serves elevated northern Thai cuisine in a modern, intimate setting against enviable city views. The food here is prepared à la carte dishes in an open-plan kitchen using traditional Thai techniques with Mediterranean influences with dishes such as Salmon Nham Prik Oung (cooked northern Thai-style in tomato confit with sautéed gurmar leaves, pickled garlic served and steamed pandan rice) and favourites such as grilled Northern Thai pork sausage. 

Above Mai Restaurant & Bar, Meliá Chiang Mai’s jewel in the crown is Mai The Sky Bar, a 360-degree rooftop bar which offers the highest in the city with spectacular views of the River Ping to the city’s east and the famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west. 

Worth a mention 

Guests staying in one of the hotel’s 42 ‘Level’ rooms or suites enjoy enhanced services such as private check-in and check-out, dedicated concierge service, in-room welcome amenities, and access to The Level Lounge, an executive club on the 21st floor offering complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails against some of the best views in the city. 

And relax…

Along with the usual pool, sun terrace, and 24-hour air-conditioned gym kitted out with free weights state-of-the-art cardio machines, Meliá Chiang Mai’s YHI Spa offers seven treatment rooms reached via mazey corridors reminiscent of the ancient Wat Umong (Tunnel Temple). Highly skilled therapists provide a range of treatments, from massages and scrubs to wraps and facials, based on ancient Asian healing wisdom and combined with modern wellness techniques. 

Treatments cater to men, women and alike. And, in line with Meliá’s inclusive wellness programme, YHI Spa also offers a range of treatments for children aged 6-12. The “Kids Therapy” programme provides a 45-minute- or 60-minute session that includes stretching exercises and animal yoga poses to counter hyperactivity, followed by a gentle massage using HARNN coconut oils that are gentle on delicate skin.

Why go? 

If you haven’t already guessed, this urban hotel is the perfect pitstop for those with young children looking for a fun and hassle-free getaway. Meliá Chiang Mai is leading the way in this region to cater to families; everything is reasonably priced, from the rooms to beers by the pool and added extras for kids at the spa. It’s a three-hour flight from Hong Kong with daily flight options from HK Express and Thai AirAsia. And the kid’s club – it’s got to be seen to be believed. 

Meliá Chiang Mai, 48 Charoen Prathet Rd, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, melia.com/en/hotels/