Mae Mae Tree House, Chiang Dao: Recharge in a Chiang Mai Valley

COVID was still hitting hard when we wrote this, so please look after yourselves and stay safe, with love from Meeting Point Thailand. Even when things are tough, if you're looking for a place to rest, spend some time with yourself and let your mind drift into nature, here's our pick: Mae Mae Tree House in Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai.

We just want to say...

We wish we could freeze time in Chiang Dao, right here at this lovely little house.

On this trip we wanted to take everyone to recharge and soak up nature at Mae Mae Tree House: sleeping in a mountain valley, getting away from the chaos and breathing in clean, fresh air. The house is close to a stream, too, so you can lie back and listen to the water flowing. Pure bliss, and a proper rest. We'll be honest, we fell in love with this place. On the way there we also saw the peak of Chiang Dao mountain wrapped in clouds. So beautiful.

Why We Recommend It

If anyone asks us where to stay or relax in Chiang Mai, this would be one of the first places we'd suggest. Everywhere you look there's green, and the atmosphere is so warm. The uncles, aunties and staff here are genuinely lovely.

The tree house offers massages for 200 baht per hour, given by women from the village. They're so kind and really take care of you. If you want to go trekking, they offer that too, and it's a proper adventure. Just make sure you're in shape, because the walk takes 3 hours there and back.

We're keeping the memories, the happiness and the good impressions of the tree house, and we'll be back. We didn't want to leave. Chiang Mai is one of those places you can never fully explore. See you again! Oh, and beyond Chiang Dao there's also Ban Khong, which is absolutely stunning. It's another landmark on our list for next time.

Mae Mae Tree House Prices

Rates are per person: 750 baht each. (There weren't many guests when we went, so we stayed at Ban Ton Kom.)

This includes two buffet meals. Dinner is local northern Thai food and breakfast is rice soup and toast. From what we saw, the meat served is chicken. In high season the price is 850 baht per person.

Other Houses in the Tree House Group

The Tree House

This house stands on tall stilts above the ground, with a floating balcony on the lower level for the view. The middle floor is the dining area with a buffet (no mookata grill), and the top floor has the bedrooms: three small rooms on one side and one large room on the other, plus four bathrooms with private locks. The whole house takes up to 15 guests. There's no Wi-Fi at Mae Mae Tree House, so smile at the person next to you and make some new friends. Every view is lush green trees and natural forest that everyone here treasures.

Ban Chom Dao

A private detached house that sleeps 6, with one large bedroom, one bathroom, a private balcony, a lounge area with a hammock, and a wide deck that stretches out like a bridge into a high viewpoint. Grab a pillow and lie back to watch the stars at night. Rooms have a fan, mosquito net, water heater, shower gel, shampoo, drinking water and towels. No mookata, and please don't cook inside the house.

Ban Ton Kom

A very private detached house, great for families and groups of friends. Upstairs is a large bedroom that sleeps up to 6, plus a little tree house in the corner of the outside balcony that sleeps 1 more. Downstairs sleeps another 2 to 3. There's a lounge area where you can relax as if you were at home, and a big balcony with a laid-back feel.

The house has fans, two bathrooms outside the bedroom with water heaters, shower gel, shampoo, drinking water and towels.

Meals are a self-serve buffet at the main tree house, less than a minute's walk away (see the aerial photo map). No mookata, and please don't cook inside the house.

Ban Aiyares A

A private detached house with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, and a balcony where you can grill mookata (let them know before your stay). Drinking water, a hot water kettle, towels, shower gel, shampoo and a water heater are provided. It has views of the green forest, on the same side as the main tree house, and a short walk down to the stream. From the parking spot it's about 100 meters down the path to check in, and less than 2 minutes' walk to take photos at the main tree house.

Ban Aiyares B

A private house with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms that takes 6 to 8 people. From the upper parking area it's about 100 meters down to check in, and less than 2 minutes' walk to the main tree house for photos. It's close to the stream, with a big open hall for lounging, napping, massages and grilling. Mookata is allowed if you tell them before your stay. Fan rooms, with drinking water, a hot water kettle, towels, shower gel, shampoo and a water heater.

Ban Chom Chan A

A three-story homestay-style house with 4 bedrooms and 4 en-suite bathrooms, taking 12 to 14 guests in total. There's a lounge area, forest views all around, balconies, and a path down to the stream. It's just a minute's walk from the main tree house (see the aerial photo map). No mookata, and please don't cook inside the house.

Ban Chom Chan B

The Chom Chan zone has private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, a yard and a balcony in front, and a short walk down to the stream. You get views of the community's lush forest. Rooms have a fan, water heater, towels and drinking water, and the main tree house is just a minute's walk away for photos. No mookata, and please don't cook in the rooms.

Ban Champa A

Part of the group's tea garden zone, Ban Champa sits just before the Mae Mae entrance gate, 500 meters from the main tree house: a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and 3 shared bathrooms. Rooms have a fan, water heater, towels and drinking water, and there's a long, wide balcony where you can grill mookata (tell them before your stay). From here you can see the peak of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, with mist and sunlight on the summit depending on the weather and season.

Ban Champa B

Also in the tea garden zone, just before the Mae Mae entrance gate and 500 meters from the main tree house (a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute drive). It's a two-story house with 3 bedrooms and 3 en-suite bathrooms, sleeping 10. There's a fan, water heater, towels, drinking water, a balcony and a grilling area where mookata is allowed (tell them before your stay). You can also see Doi Luang Chiang Dao from here, with mist and light on the peak depending on the weather and season.

Transfers from Chiang Mai City and Airport

• Small car, 4 seats: 1,500 baht per trip including fuel
• Large car, 6 seats: 1,700 baht per trip including fuel
• Van, 9 seats: 2,500 baht per trip including fuel

How We Got There

We traveled from Chiang Mai city by motorbike, picked up right at the airport. The total for 4 days and 3 nights was 1,100 baht.

Contact Mae Mae Tree House

• Office hours: 09:00 to 17:00
• Facebook: TreeHouseHideaway
• Phone: 081-958-5601
• Address: 128 Moo 11, Mae Na subdistrict, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai 50170

FAQ

Author Meeting Point Management Team, MBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ MBA University of Technology Sydney (UTS) DBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ Editorial Team

The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.