Just a short drive northwest of Chiang Mai, Mae Rim feels like an entirely different world. Nestled in the lush hills of Northern Thailand, the area is known for its crisp mountain air, vibrant agriculture, and scenic landscapes dotted with flower farms, botanical gardens, and hot springs. While Chiang Mai thrives with energy and activity, Mae Rim offers the perfect contrast: calm, quiet, and a chance to fully immerse yourself in the slower rhythms of nature.
We spent a weekend here at Mankhao Homestay and absolutely loved it. Beyond the comfortable stay, the warmth of the family who runs it and the freshness of the food they cooked for us made it a highlight of our trip. Mae Rim is the kind of place where you arrive planning just a quick stay—and leave wondering why you didn’t book an extra few nights.
Staying at Mankhao Homestay
Mankhao Homestay turned out to be exactly the kind of place we were looking for: peaceful, friendly, and surrounded by natural beauty. The homestay itself blends simplicity with charm.
What made our stay truly memorable was the family that operates the homestay. They cooked delicious vegan meals for us using vegetables and herbs freshly picked from their own garden. Imagine crisp greens tossed into stir fries, vibrant herbs steeped into soups, and everything tasting like it had just been harvested that morning. It’s the kind of farm-to-table dining experience that you rarely find in bigger hotels, and it gave us a real appreciation for how local Mae Rim cuisine connects to the land.
Scenes from Mankhao Homestay
Another perk? The fresh mountain air. Waking up at Mankhao Homestay meant pulling open the curtains to views of rolling hills, fields of produce, and a morning mist that hung low in the valley. Evenings, meanwhile, were spent sitting outside, wrapped in light sweaters, watching the sun sink behind the mountains.
For us, this was the ideal home base for exploring Mae Rim.
Other unique places to stay in Mae Rim
Mankhao Homestay is wonderful, but Mae Rim is also full of unique and creative places to stay. If you’re looking for alternatives, you’ll find options ranging from cozy farmstays to geodesic domes and cabins tucked into the hills. Many accommodations even offer outdoor tubs where you can soak while gazing at the mountains.
Some of the top-rated alternatives worth checking out include:
Hubekhaaswrrkh Homestay: Small and charming, with a local touch.
Him Suan Homestay: Known for its garden atmosphere.
CR Farm Stay: A farm-focused stay where you can learn about local agriculture.
Khaokod Homestay: Hilltop views and cozy rooms.
Ban Nawakeeree: Peaceful, with a strong focus on eco-living.
Onsen at Moncham: A luxury stay that pairs Japanese-inspired hot springs with breathtaking mountain views.
No matter where you choose, Mae Rim accommodations tend to be warm, family-run, and rooted in their surroundings.
Things to do in Mae Rim
What makes Mae Rim so special isn’t just the accommodation—it’s the wealth of things to do in the area. From beautifully maintained gardens to mountaintop flower farms and tranquil hot springs, there’s plenty to fill your days. Here are the experiences that made our weekend getaway unforgettable:
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is a must-visit for anyone spending time in Mae Rim. Spread across rolling hills, it offers both vast outdoor gardens and carefully curated conservatories. What makes it especially appealing is the sheer diversity of plant life—from tropical orchids to desert cacti.
Tropical flowers and lush greenery at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Mae Rim
Our favorite part was the lotus room, a glowing greenhouse filled with pools of lilies and lotus flowers, where every step feels like stepping into a painting. There’s also a canopy walkway suspended above the treetops, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forest.
The botanic garden isn’t just pretty; it’s also Thailand’s first botanic garden, making it a landmark in the country’s conservation and education efforts. It’s an easy half-day trip and a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the natural world.
The mountaintop flower farms of Mon Jam
Another highlight of our weekend was wandering the flower farms of Mon Jam. Perched high in the hills above Mae Rim, these farms are blanketed in waves of color—violets, yellows, reds, and greens stretching as far as the eye can see.
Bright yellow and red flower fields with panoramic views of Mon Jam’s rolling hills
The farms are both working agricultural sites and scenic spots for visitors. Walking paths take you through rows of blossoms, often leading to little wooden viewpoints that frame sweeping panoramas of the valley below. What makes it particularly magical is the backdrop: lush mountains rising in the distance, dotted with terraced fields.
Visiting in the morning or late afternoon adds an extra layer of beauty, as the light casts everything in golden hues.
Onsen at Moncham
For relaxation, nothing compared to our visit to the Onsen at Moncham. Designed with Japanese inspiration, the onsen offers both public and private baths surrounded by serene gardens. We opted for a private booking, which gave us a secluded garden with both hot and cold pools, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.
There’s something extraordinary about soaking in warm mineral waters while gazing at the surrounding greenery. The experience felt worlds away from Chiang Mai city, and it was easily one of the most restful parts of our trip.
Flowing hot spring water and lush valley views at Onsen at Moncham
Even if you’re not staying overnight at the resort itself, booking an onsen experience is well worth it.
Exploring Mae Rim itself
Beyond the attractions, Mae Rim is full of simple pleasures. Local markets sell fresh produce harvested straight from the fields. Small restaurants serve authentic Northern Thai cuisine. Roads wind through farmland where you can stop to take in the view—or, in our case, sit quietly with a cup of tea and just breathe in the mountain air.
Mae Rim is also home to waterfalls, trekking routes, and adventure parks for those who want something more active, but for us, the slower pace was exactly what we were after.
Why a weekend in Mae Rim is worth it
What makes Mae Rim such a perfect getaway is the balance it strikes: accessible yet remote, simple yet stunning, humble yet deeply memorable. It’s the kind of place where you wake up to the sound of roosters instead of traffic, where your meals are harvested just meters away, and where you can spend your days surrounded by gardens, mountains, and hot springs.
Local life in Mae Rim, from drying chilies to traditional dress in sunflower fields
Our stay at Mankhao Homestay encapsulated everything we loved about Mae Rim. The hospitality, the fresh food, and the tranquil setting made it feel like we were part of the community, even if just for a few days.
If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai and want to experience something different, make space in your itinerary for a weekend in Mae Rim. Whether you’re wandering the botanic garden, exploring the flower farms of Mon Jam, or soaking in the Onsen at Moncham, it’s the kind of getaway that recharges your body and soul.
