Hmmm… The guys from TCEB told us we’d be having roast chicken for lunch but I’m not really sure what’s on my plate. Scratching my head, I checked the menu; Roasted Spring Chicken on green vegetables and couscous sweet basil, with mint relish on a demi-glace infused with green peppercorns.

Alright then, it is indeed roasted chicken. It says so right there, yeah?

Our group was at the 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai. The boutique hotel’s curious name immediately piqued my interest. Upon arriving at the hotel’s sprawling grounds which really looked more like a resort than a hotel, our host explained to us where the name came from.

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137 Pillars House refers to the central building located along lush estate. The structure comes from the days of teak-trading in the region and was said to be supported by 137 pillars.

Familiar with the story of Anna and the King? Err… I’m really not, but we were told that the area was once owned by Anna’s son who erected three teak houses in this same area.

I’ve seen my share of beautiful boutique hotels, but 137 Pillars House is simply gorgeous. No wonder, since it was also designed by the same guys that did The Siam Bangkok.

Set on a rambling estate near Chiang Mai’s Ping River, it boasts of thirty suites divided into four types; the Rajah Brooke Suites, the William Bain Terrace Suites, the East Borneo Suites, and the Louis Leonowens Pool Suites.

We took a peek on that last one and we were all blown away. Having an area of 135 square meters, it is huge. It has its own living room, a bedroom with a supersized king bed, a walk in closet, a dual-basin bathroom, and a sunken bath tub.

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One of its doors opens to an enclosed courtyard where the room’s very own private pool is located. I cannot believe it, a room with its own swimming pool. Let me say that again. A room with its own swimming pool.

Please, let us stay here even for just a night.

Uhmm, okay, not that we’re complaining, Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa is equally beautiful.

But alas, such was not our fortune. We were only here for lunch and lunch alone.

Back at The Dining Room, one of 137 Pillars House’s five restaurants, we sat ourselves down for full-course luncheon. The structure itself is a beauty—everything seems to be made from intricately carved teakwood.

A refreshing glass of butterfly pea and ginger drink was the first thing that was set on our table. If you’re not in the know like me, it looks much like grape juice.

It was soon followed by a piece of loaf and what looks like crisps. It wasn’t on the menu so forgive my ignorance for what these things are called. What I do know is that I love the bread, especially when dipped on the… Well, again. Not on the menu.

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Next up was the starters. Fresh Mango Carpaccio with fresh Tuna, beetroot compote and simmered Shiitake mushroom served with avocado and lime mousse, mustard seed and tamarind dressing.

Fancy, eh?

The main course was either Chargrilled Fish Fillet with another long list of what-nots or Roasted Spring Chicken. I chose the latter since I’m really not into grilled fish. I like my fish fried. Crisply fried.

The full name of my main course is, okay scroll upwards, on the first paragraph. It really is long. Lol.

For desserts, we were rewarded with French Baked Cheesecake with fresh berries compote sauce and spiral Tuile.
While the word cheesecake and berries were the only two things I understand about it, I nevertheless enjoyed them.

And as you can probably guess by now, I’m not really that familiar with such fine exercises when it comes to dining—my preferences usually go in the direction of streetside hawkers and unfamiliar hole-in-the-walls. But once in a while, being treated to a luxurious meal like this is also not a bad thing.
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Gratitude to 137 Pillars House for such a fine, fine lunch. I would gladly forsake a dish of pad thai along the streets of Chiang Mai and go back here again—heck I would even stay for the night if you really insist. :)

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Address: 2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road, Tambon Watgate, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Contact Number: +66 (0)53 247788
Email: info@137pillarshouse.com
GPS Coordinates Map: 18.791920, 99.004102

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