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137 PILLARS HOUSE, CHIANG MAI’S LUXURIOUS RESORT WHEN YOU STAY AT 137 PILLARS HOUSE IN CHIANG MAI, WRITES FLOYD COWAN, BRING YOUR DESIRE TO DISCOVER BECAUSE THERE IS MUCH THAT WILL SURPRISE AND DELIGHT YOU ABOUT THE RESORT AND THE CITY.
T
he champagne corks went flying with a resounding pop! Opened in an unconventional way they brought a touch of history to the evening. Already steeped in history, 137 Pillar’s House Chiang Mai infused flavours of the past and mingled then with the aromas of a superb dinner made by an iconic Chef.
WHERE SABRE MEETS CHAMPAGNE In the unique lobby of 137 Pillars, having stepped out of my chauffeur driven limousine that had picked me up at the airport, the frolicking scent of the flora welcomed me like a gentle hand on a tired brow. Though it is not every day that champagne is opened with a sabre, there is much to get enthusiastic about what is there every day. I was fortunate enough to arrive on the day when a dinner was being held with The
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d’Or, agreed, “Was I didn’t get to spend enough time there.” Eric flew up from Bangkok for the gala dinner and had to leave early the following morning. I was fortunate enough to have much more time enjoying 137 Pillars House and all it has to offer. It is an oasis, and the rooms are an oasis within an oasis. 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai was originally a teak homestead that dates back to the late 1800s and has a rich history. It was the former headquarters of the East Borneo Company. The Leonowens and Bain family lived there, as well as their famous partner Rajah Brooke. Their ties to timber are reflected not only in the beautiful wood building, but in the many historic photos, art and images throughout the hotel. The warmth of the guest rooms is enhanced by
Confrérie du Sabre d’Or, a French society that is devoted to promoting the act of Sabrage and the enjoyment of Champagne. And a continuous flow of champagne sparkled in glittering glasses and put a warm glow on the evening.
A CHIANG MAI FIRST The exquisite Gala dinner, created by Executive Chef Thiti Thammanatr, who has been described as “a true culinary genius”, and the ceremony saw the luxurious 30 suite boutique hotel become the first Caveau de Sabrage in Chiang Mai. “A caveau is an establishment where Champagne bottles are opened in the historical way with a golden sabre,” explained Chris Stafford, Chief Operating Officer. “This time honoured ceremony enhances the experience of drinking Champagne.” The dinner was attended by non-other than the founder and Grand Master himself, JeanCladue Jalloux. He started the Confrérie du Sabre d’Or 30 years ago in France and it now has 33,000 members in 24 countries.
ENGAGING EVERYDAY While such gala dinners are not an everyday event, it seems that engaging General Manager Anne Arrowsmith is at 137 Pillars every day, but she says she does take time off. I don’t say ‘engaging’ lightly. I often saw her throughout my stay in deep conversation with someone. As often as not it was a child, curious about everything, and Anne was always happy to discuss whatever was on their mind. Or she was talking with adults, giving the guests advice about what to do in Chiang Mai. Perhaps the most important thing she advises, is to stay in Chiang Mai as many days
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as possible. “People underestimate how much there is to do in Chiang Mai and so they stay here just a few days. Then they find themselves rushing about trying to do everything and they have little time to enjoy the luxurious comfort of their room.”
OPULENT OASIS “The only complaint I have about my room,” Eric Hallin, Ambassador with Confrérie du Sabre www.asianjourneys.com.sg | August/September 2016 AsianJourneys
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many black and white and sepia photos of the people, places, elephants at work and general scenes from that bygone era.
SECLUDED BUT CLOSE The hotel is located in a leafy enclave just a few minutes-walk from the historic Wat Gate Temple, the Ping River and the markets and shopping area of Chiang Mai. High walls and the extensive foliage, many of the plants with name plates telling you who they are, creates an exclusive atmosphere where you can relax by the pool, in a shady spot or in an ambient lounge with a cold drink, a warm book or a sizzling companion. While one might be surprised at how much there is to do in Chiang Mai they might be equally surprised by how much there is to do at 137 Pillars. Whatever time your morning starts you will not want to miss breakfast. There is an excellent selection of
breads, fruits, cereals, juice – you can have it freshly squeezed for you – eastern and western style breakfast. Most often my breakfast centres on an omelette and while I ate, chatting with Anne who was there early starting her day of engaging with staff and guests, I searched for a word to describe the difference between this omelette and all omelettes that had come before it. It was fresh; fresher as if all that had gone into it was newer, lighter and more flavourful.
AFTERNOON TEA The ability to engage with guests did not end with Anne, but everyone who works there – including the numerous grounds crew who were constantly taming and shaping the greenery. How ever you have spent your morning you are going to want to reserve some time for afternoon tea in the lounge. The extensive menu was developed by Chef Thiti whose incredible wealth of experience spans 30 years going back to when he was an 18 years old living in Canada. There he began a journey that would see him work his way through some of Canada’s most esteemed establishments before eventually returning to Thailand. Kanthakorn Sukthanom, (Jay) Food and Beverage Manager, went through the many layers of the Signature SilverNeedle tea set with me. While following certain traditions, Chef Thiti infuses eastern and personal touches. The highest grade of white tea, the Yin Zhen Silver Needle tea, is an ideal flavour that enhances savoury food, or is delightful on its own. Jay went through each of the three tiers to give me a better understanding of each offering. Teir 1 consists of Mango, Coconut panna cotta, Macadamia nut cookies and Passion Fruit Macaroons. The traditional clotted cream has been substituted with mascarpone cheese that accompanies blueberry organic jam and yogurt.
And on it goes. It was a delightful challenge to enjoy everything. And there is more to be enthused about. One afternoon you might try the Sparkling Prosecco Afternoon Tea and another the Indulgent Champagne Afternoon Tea. And when you have finished tea you are now in time for Happy Hour in Chiang Mai - Buy 1 Get 1 Free, which is available daily from 5:00 – 7:00pm at all bars of 137 Pillars House: The Lawn, The Deck, The Pool, Jack’s Bain Bar and The Parlor.
ZONKED OUT My early afternoon at the award-winning 137 Pillars House was at the spa, in the talented hands of Fon. Spa Manager Auttarakoup Phumpeerawipob has created an exquisite range of “Time Out” treatments for men using Aromatherapy Associates products. I enjoyed the 60-minute Hot Oil Massage, which is a deep tissue massage using warmed oil. Combining full palm techniques with smooth, gentle strokes to release tension from the body, this massage promotes blood circulation and revives a tired body. A tired body – say what? Face down on the table Fon gently moved me from side to side – not a typical massage move. It had the effect of making me feeling like well, you’ve seen the picture, of the very young baby deep deep in sleep - totally zonked. That was me. Zonked. Unfortunately, no selfies are available. The spa also offers specially developed treatments for men including the Radiance Body Scrub, Deep Recharge Facial, Exclusive Men’s Package, Men’s Manicure and Men’s Pedicure.
AWARD WINNING Before I arrived in Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars House had already won numerous awards. By the time I got back to Singapore it had won more. This time it was Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best
Awards 2016 as voted by its readers. #1 The Top 10 Resort Hotels in Southeast Asia; #5 The Best Resort Hotels in Asia; #37 Top 100 Best Hotels in the World. The same readers also gave kudos to Chiang Mai voting it #1 The 15 Best Cities in Asia and #2 The World’s Best Cities. These are just a few of the many awards that 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai has won in the brief time that it was launched in 2012. Travel & Leisure Magazine (USA) IT List 2012: “50 Best Hotel Openings in the World”; Conde Nast Traveler Magazine (USA) 2013: “Best New Hotels in the World”; Mekong Tourism Alliance Awards 2013: FiveStar Hotel of the Year – Thailand; TripAdvisor 2014 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Named Top Hotel in Thailand, Top Hotel for Romance in Thailand and Top Luxury Hotel in Thailand.
THE PAST King Chulalongkorn, best known to foreigners as the student of Anna Leononwens, the British teacher in the royal Thai court, signed the ‘Treaty of Chiang Mai’ in 1883 which permitted foreigners, like the men of East Borneo Company, to cut trees in the vast teak forests of northern Thailand. For those first Europeans, Chiang Mai in the 1880s offered glory and hardship in equal measure. By royal decree, foreigners lived on the opposite side of the Ping River from the Thai people. In the early years, foreign wives were not allowed to settle up north. The men rode elephants into the jungle then returned to ‘civilized’ society for tennis, squash and polo. And a few libations. Three sprawling teak houses, each with more than 100 teak pillars, were placed or built on the site. A fourth, 137 Pillars House as we now know it, was moved from the west side of the river to the Company’s land in the foreigner’s enclave. The house served as residence of the Company manager until 1927.
THE FUTURE 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts newest edition; 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok is scheduled to open in late 2016. The property is on Sukhumvit Soi 39, a short distance from the upscale and fashionable shopping district of Emquartier/Emporium. A third property, 137 Pillars Estate Phuket, is scheduled to open early 2019 on the North Peninsula of Kata Beach, with 16 sunset facing Pool villas and 51 Pool Suites. v www.137pillarshotels.com
www.asianjourneys.com.sg | August/September 2016 AsianJourneys