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[title]We couldn’t contain our excitement when we found out that the Department of Architecture’s Amata Luphaiboon was designing a new hotel in Chiang Mai. We’re big fan of his designs, which include minimalist resort SALA Phuket in Mai Khao Beach, semi-al fresco community malls The Commons Thonglor and The Commons Sala Daeng in Bangkok, and most recently, Little Shelter, this tiny new hotel on the banks of the Ping River.
Boasting a stunning facade made of wooden and painted white shingles, and textured white interiors, Little Shelter is photogenic from every angle—you can position your camera anywhere and get a cool Instagram-worthy shot. Decorative details inspired by the northern-style umbrella hang from the ceiling, and reflective tiles imprinted with nature scenes line the walls of rooms. Looks-wise, the boutique hotel is truly awe-inspiring.
If you do stay overnight, however, that’s a different story. Little Shelter lacks the most important quality of a good hotel: comfort. Rooms that look great in photos shot through an ultra-wide lens are, in fact, very small. Instead of a closet, you get a hanging rack. While each room does have a balcony, they’re furnished with loungers that are far from being loungey. Oh, did we mention the TV system that takes days to learn how to use?
Friendly northern hospitality, however, eases away these little annoyances—the staffers, during our stay, were helpful and attentive. It also helps that the coffee was good and the cocktails tasty. Plus, the hotel’s riverside location makes it a nice escape from Chiang Mai’s busy streets. So there’s still a good reason to visit Little Shelter and hang during the day.