Dreaming of Far-off Places

The Rachamankha, an exquisite boutique hotel  in Chiang Mai

Summer is almost here which has me dreaming of romantic, far-off places. One of the most memorable was the Rachamankha hotel, a serene, temple-like retreat in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Furnished with Thai and Chinese antiques, the hotel's owner and designer, a well-known Thai architect, wanted tourists to experience genuine Lanna Thai culture and design. The 24 room hotel is tucked away on a quiet side street, which makes it an oasis of calm in bustling Chiang Mai.