Picolo recommends · Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand
137 Pillars House
A dark teak house raised on its pillars in a green garden, with the old city on the other side of the river and the traffic far away.
Ceiling fans turn slowly on the veranda of an old teak house, and the garden around it muffles the city. The building once belonged to a trading company from the era when teak was Chiang Mai's big business, and it gives the hotel its name.
The rooms are suites in newer wings around the garden, with a pool between them. The hotel sits in the Wat Ket area on the east bank of the Ping River, a short ride from the walled old city.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose 137 Pillars House
We chose it because it gives you a slice of Chiang Mai's history without asking you to rough it. The teak house is the real thing, and the garden makes the city feel much further away than it is.
You are not inside the old city walls, so temples and night markets mean a short tuk-tuk or taxi ride. It is also a quiet, grown-up hotel, which suits couples better than anyone after nightlife.
What you get
- Restored historic teak house
- Suites around the garden
- Outdoor pool
- Restaurant in the old house
- Green, tropical garden
A day at 137 Pillars House
- Morning
- Breakfast on the teak veranda while the garden is still cool.
- Midday
- Across the river to the temples inside the old city walls.
- Afternoon
- Back to the pool when the heat is at its peak.
- Evening
- A walk to the riverside restaurants along the Ping.
Location
Wat Ket, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Open in MapsQuestions about 137 Pillars House
Where is 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai?
It is in the Wat Ket area on the east bank of the Ping River, a few minutes by car or tuk-tuk from the old city.
What is special about 137 Pillars House?
The heart of the hotel is a restored teak house from the days when timber trading shaped Chiang Mai, set in a large tropical garden.
Does 137 Pillars House have a pool?
Yes, there is an outdoor pool in the garden between the suite wings, which is welcome in the hot months.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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