Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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LIVING IT UP:
Baan Hanibah -
"Guests will love it here"

Text: Finley B. Luge
Images: Apirak

Homeliness and comfort

Genuine efforts have been made in recent times by local proprietors of Chiang Mai accommodation to have a place to stay for visitors that perfectly combines the essence of its culture and heritage with comfortable rooms and a good location. Over the past year or so, we have brought our readers fancy five star hotels, quality serviced apartments and a mix of so-called boutique guesthouses. So given our in-depth knowledge of the city's lodgings it is with a degree of expertise that this month we proclaim Baan Hanibah to be the ultimate inner city bed & breakfast and guesthouse.

Baan Hanibah was built in 1957 in a contemporary Lanna style by the now owner's father, a former governor of Phrae-Pitsanulok and Uthaithani province respectively. Most parts of the house, including the ceiling, were made of teak wood, while some parts of the floor and walls were made of a tropical hard wood locally called Mai Daang, a genus of rosewood. Carefully selected by the owner himself who went into the forests of Chiang Dao, logs over 25 feet long were used for the house's pillars and the construction was completed after a year and a half by four workers at a cost of 8,000 Baht.

Fifty years later, after the house was passed on to the next generation, renovations were made ensuring that the shape of the house and other important features were preserved. One such feature is the distinctive front gate made up of teak wood circular chopping boards, a famous Phrae export, originally designed when the house was built. Interior decorations are a mixture of old and new with Thai classics such as antique Pasang style cabinets, Lamphun style antique wardrobes, Wieng Ka Long porcelain arts, and old book shelves and double beds from the 1950s. Redesigned and new eclectic pieces include artistic teak carvings, newly built golden teak single beds with headboards modified from old Lamphun style ox-carts called Tad Chang, and hand-made ceramic wash basins by a renowned Chiang Rai sculptor and artist.

To counter the effects of annual flooding during the rainy season the house has been elevated about 80 centimetres from the ground and the design of the property has been modified to include a front porch, main hall, ten eclectic style bedrooms, dining room, living room, and library. Wherever you walk in this magnificent teak wood house original furniture and art are on display, with personal photographs adding a real sense of homeliness and welcome.

In as much as the house has been maintained in its traditional Lanna format, guestrooms have been equipped with amenities you would expect of a contemporary luxurious hotel, such as flat screen TV with cable; air conditioning; specially designed bathrooms with hand made wash bowls and antique ceramic soap holders; solar powered hot showers; safety box; high quality bedding materials; and free wireless internet access.

Communal areas in the house, such as the library, lounge area and beautiful garden, afford guests a real sense of space and relaxation. With comfortable seating, courtesy of refreshed antique sofas and chairs in the upstairs hall, a large lounge chair on the first floor balcony overlooking the front garden, and a mix of ample shaded and sun-kissed outdoor areas, there is a space for everyone to enjoy.

A lot of thought has also been put into the services provided by Baan Hanibah. As it has been a part of the neighborhood for more than half a century, from when it was just one of three houses surrounded by a Longan tree orchard on Soi 8 of Moon Muang Road to being a part of a now thriving community, it is important that local businesses benefit from their guests. As such, laundry is not provided, nor is an all day restaurant. However, guests will be more than impressed by the complimentary self-service breakfast of cereals, fresh fruit, toast and fresh coffee & tea. The well-mannered professional staff is always at hand to direct guests to one of the many laundry shops around the city and a local gourmet map is provided so local eateries can be discovered by themselves.

Situated in the heart of the old town area, Baan Hanibah is the perfect base to explore the city's many tourist attractions. All within a 15-minute walk are The Three Kings Monument, Chiang Mai Province Local Museum, Wat Chiang Maan, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Sing, Warorot Market, Sunday Walking Street and Thapae Gate, plus a host of fine restaurants and coffee shops.

The name of the house Hanibah is a northern Thai word with no particular meaning, usually exclaimed when faced with an unexpected situation. A seemingly favourite word of the first owner of this house who was known to speak it out loud on many occasions, guests here may well find themselves proclaiming something similar in their native tongue upon entering this startling abode.