A self-contained world of beauty comes to life in Chiang Mai.

Just as when it was the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai remains a centre of Asian culture. Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai, it was built according to a mystical plan that represented the fulcrum of the universe.

Under such auspices, Lanna extended its influence from northern Thailand to the southern provinces of China, and Chiang Mai became the meeting point of Southeast Asian cultures. 

The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi stands within this historical context.

The resort, which takes its name from the ‘Goddess of the Stars’, brings to life the vision of Suchet Suwanmongkol, one of Thailand’s wealthiest men, who has invested at least $80m in this enterprise.

And to think that everything began when a friend said to him: “Why don’t you build a hotel?” 

But Suchet’s ambitions soon saw off such a simple premise. A mere hotel was not enough – he wanted to recreate an ancient city.

Spread over 24 hectares, Dhara Dhevi is an immense work of Thai, Lao, Khmer, Yunnanese and colonial art, dotted with paddy fields and gardens and surrounded by city walls.

Visitors are presented with an Angkor-inspired amphitheatre, with Indian rubber trees and Cambodian divinities, en route to a Lao-style meditation room.

The Dheva Spa conjures thoughts of a Myanmar royal palace. 

But this is no oriental theme park. Dhara Dhevi is a cultural operation: it leads visitors on a veritable architectural tour, invites them to visit the library, packed with thousands of books, see craft demonstrations, and join art or cookery courses. 

A staff of 500 assures outstanding hospitality, while the accommodation in luxury villas and suites, as well as the numerous pavilions and pools, blend a highly appealing lifestyle.

Everything is created with harmony in mind, as Suchet says: “Dhara Dhevi is not meant to be a quaint show, but a way of coming into contact with the cultural heritage of Southeast Asia.”