A renaissance of past cultures is emerging in Asia as its people are beginning to decipher meticulously devised symbols, beliefs, and practices of yesteryears. As a fascination to recreate bygone eras is explored, the frayed threads of disparate cultures are integrated into their daily lives. Whether it is a resort hotel or a spa in Surabaya, Shanghai or Chiang Mai in Thailand that we enter, we are transported to another world of such peculiar heritage. The symbolic use of frangipani incense sticks, floating candles, and lotus blooms in landscaped ponds, architectural styles of temple complexes that incorporate embellished pillars, intricate archways or dragon balustrades epitomize a vibrant culture that is distinctly Asian.
Like much of Chiang Mai, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi is a tantalizing blend of myth and history. Here you will be mesmerized by both the rich heritage and sheer timelessness. Dhara Dhevi comes from the Sanskrit words meaning "star goddess" depicting romance, mystique, and legendary beauty.
The expansive resort consists of 123 villas and suites exquisitely spread over 60 acres of tropical landscapes inspired by the layout of ancient Thai cities and those found throughout Southeast Asia. All of the components of an ancient city exist here including a series of moats, fortified walls, a watch tower, royal gateway, thoroughfare, symbolic palace, market, village, and rice fields. Instead of conventional rooms, the retreat-sanctuary offers 20 styles of individual accommodation ranging from the spacious teak pavilions, enchanting rice barns to sumptuous colonial suites. The most palatial of the villas, where we stayed, comes complete with its own private swimming pool and Jacuzzi. The Penthouse Spa Suite with its personal spa and exercise room is unrivalled.
The Mandarin Dhara Devi in Chang Mai recreates a royal city of classical Lanna culture. Lanna rule refers chiefly to the period from 1259-1558 when North Thailand, and in particular, Chiang Mai, asserted itself as a center of arts, culture, and architecture, similar to the Italian city of Florence during the Renaissance. This magnificent resort and holistic spa is perched like a kingdom amidst lotus ponds and terraced paddies that offers the ultimate in seclusion and luxury for guests seeking a luxurious vacation experience. The cooler climate and rural tranquility of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi will be a perfect complement to its sister property, The Oriental, regarded as one of the world’s colonial-era hotels, situated one hour away by air, in the bustling Thai capital of Bangkok.
PR directress Chaleenuch Visith graciously welcomed us and gave us an ocular tour of the ethereal haven. The construction of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi began four years ago at a time of change and expansion for Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. When the owner of the luxurious property purchased the land for the resort four years ago, the only building standing here at the time was the Le Grand Lanna Restaurant, then under a different name. It was renovated and expanded and from there, the plan for the property began to take shape. Although most of the buildings are new, there are a number of antique houses and rice barns dotted throughout the grounds, which are used for different functions.
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi does not attempt to recreate any one city in any one period of time, but rather sets out to showcase the variety of styles that influenced Lanna culture throughout its history. You will also find elements of sophisticated royal tradition and simple folk customs integrated throughout the resort and Burmese, Chinese, Lao and Lue influence in the architecture and design.
When the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi opened its Dheva Spa recently in Chiang Mai, it turned to its temples, palaces and monasteries for architectural inspiration and in the process revived the region’s glorious past. The result is a stunning architectural masterpiece. With the pavilions, verandas and wooden decks at spas getting a new lease of life through designers turning to the past, you can be certain that Asian traditions are being reinvented for a newer generation of audience.
Deva is the Sanskrit word for celestial beings that inhabit the heavenly realm. The name of The Dheva Spa at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, was inspired by the spa’s breathtaking golden teakwood architecture based on the ancient Palace of Mandalay, whose design schemes grew out of ancient ideas of cosmology.
The Dheva Spa invites guests to enter this ancient realm. You are taken back to the 13th century in this heavenly Mandalay Palace that sets the mood of relaxation, healing and luxury. It is your personal journey of self-discovery touching the divine aspect of your inner being. Life-giving rituals have been practiced in every culture since the beginning of time. Inspired by the work within these ancient cultures, Mandarin Oriental has created a treatment concept for The Dheva Spa, which merges techniques and philosophies from around the world into a potent blend of treatments for our time.
In the secluded grounds of the resort lies a haven: Dheva Spa, a palatial 3,100 square meter sanctuary that seemingly floats on carved wooden balusters. These 35 private rooms and suites have been designed for both individuals and couples as a soothing refuge. Each step in this spa haven was one of awe and wonder. A flight of white marble steps, dazzling white plaster banisters featuring leaf-like khanok, typical Lanna scrollwork, leads up to a restful spa lobby. A tiny bell chimes to welcome the guests as they are accompanied to the spa reception, an open sala that stands under a seven-tiered teak roof that cascades down from the sky like a filigree coronet, symbolizing the seven steps to nirvana, seen in Buddhism as the state of perfect existence. This magnificent palace-like teak structure, the color of dark chocolate, stands in a gray granite courtyard overlooked by tall kapok trees. In the nearby gardens, spotted doves and crested bulbuls sing among the jasmine and ginger flowers. Every inch of the immense structure is embellished with ornate moldings and sculptures depicting sacred animals or symbolic Buddhist motifs, loyally recreated by 150 Chiang Mai artisans from the original Burmese template in Mandalay, Myanmar.
As I prepared to have my Lanna signature ceremony, I took several deep breaths in anticipation of a profound cultural experience. My gracious masseuse Rattanaporn showed me my lavish treatment room as she began the ceremony with a soothing herbal foot bath infused with fresh miang, a popular heating herb from this part of the country. A luxurious herbal bath in a petal-strewn tub prepares one for the Oriental body glow, which continues with a body wrap, using fang, another Lanna ingredient used to awaken and refresh the skin. The potent herb mixture is gently scrubbed in a circular motion on the body while warm water sprayed like Vischy showers from above fall like rain from the heavens. A unique Lanna massage wherein the body is tapped rhythmically with a stick made from the bark of the tamarind tree is a sensuous and stimulating tradition that relaxes the muscles in preparation for a warm herbal oil massage and herbal compresses for the head and feet that cocoons you in such pampering embrace.
Notwithstanding its ambitious size and the grand scale of its architecture, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi was born out of a very simple wish: to preserve the beauty of northern Thailand’s Lanna culture and to create an atmosphere that would renew and nourish the traditions, craftsmanship and intangible charms of its people.
Experience this dream domain. After all, it has been said that at the end of our personal journey on earth, we shall be held accountable for the pleasures we were allowed but denied ourselves of.