National Geographic Traveller (UK) Hotel Awards

As noted by the judges: ‘Everything about the resort aims to promote inner wellbeing…. But the real magic happens within the resort’s meditative Ayurah Spa & Wellness Centre, which uses a curated programme to tap into mindfulness…..touching on some of life’s bigger-picture themes, such as mastering self-love with an energy coach and the art of deep rest through Vipassana meditation, taught at either beginner or ‘monk level’.

Embracing its spiritual location in the ancient city of Chiang Mai the resort offers a menu of holistic wellness retreats that incorporate local natural and temple settings. These last between 3 and 21 days and range from tailor-made immersive retreats to a specialist Beyond the Ordinary series led by visiting experts. Guests can also enjoy complimentary daily yoga, Qi Gong, meditation and mindfulness classes alongside rituals such as the retreat’s daily lighting ceremony. All this is enriched by healthy cuisine and wellness cooking classes, bespoke nutritionist-led plans with full plant-based options and a resident ‘master healer’ to achieve optimum wellness and balance in this tranquil environment. 

Anchalika Kijkanakorn, Managing Director at AKARYN Hotel Group says, “When we opened Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai we recognised the potential of bringing our proven Ayurah Wellness concept to Thailand’s spiritual heart. We’re delighted to be recognised as a global leader in wellness through our retreat programmes and the space we’ve designed here to provide a relaxing and enlightening sanctuary that addresses the needs of today’s travellers.”

Away from the spa the resort offers 44 rooms and pool suites, including a four-bedroom Teak Villa, and elevated gastronomy at the resort restaurant ‘The Garden’ where menus have been curated to preserve the flavours of traditional Northern Thai Lanna cuisine. Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai is the third property under the Aleenta brand from Thailand-based luxury boutique hotel specialist AKARYN Hotel Group. Aleenta, which means ‘a rewarding life’, has served as the hotel collection’s manifesto since its launch in 2006 with the inaugural Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa, and the subsequent addition of Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort & Spa. 

The judging panel for the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Hotel Awards 2023 consisted of travel writers Julia Buckley, Lee Cobaj, Zoey Goto, Camilla Hewitt, Ben Lerwill, Alicia Miller, John O’Ceallaigh, Daniel Stables and Kerry Walker and the National Geographic Traveller (UK) team. They selected just 42 winners and runners-up from around the world across 14 categories.