Tucked away in the hills of Mae Rim, just a short drive from Chiang Mai, lies a serene retreat that feels as if you’ve been transported straight to the Japanese countryside. Onsen at Moncham combines the elegance of a luxury hotel with the restorative tradition of Japanese hot springs, creating a one-of-a-kind escape in northern Thailand.
We came here as part of a weekend getaway to Mae Rim, and although we didn’t stay at the hotel itself, we booked a private onsen session to experience the baths and explore the grounds. It turned out to be one of the most restful and memorable parts of our trip.
First impressions of the grounds
The first thing that strikes you about Onsen at Moncham is the landscape. The grounds are beautifully maintained, blending Japanese aesthetics with Mae Rim’s mountainous setting. Manicured gardens, stone pathways, and wooden bridges create a tranquil environment that encourages slow exploration. There are ponds reflecting the surrounding greenery, bamboo fences that frame hidden corners, and striking splashes of color from seasonal flowers.
The Japanese-inspired grounds of Onsen at Moncham
Wandering the gardens feels like stepping into a Japanese ryokan—yet with a distinctly Thai backdrop. You’ll find mountain ridges in the distance, terraced farmland on nearby slopes, and a refreshing coolness in the air that makes the experience especially inviting compared to the heat of Chiang Mai city.
Japanese-inspired gardens with pine trees, stone paths, and a Zen rock feature at Onsen at Moncham
Even if you’re not staying overnight, arriving early allows time to stroll the grounds and soak in the atmosphere. For us, it was the perfect way to ease into our onsen visit.
The onsen experience
The highlight, of course, is the onsen itself. Onsen at Moncham offers both communal and private onsen options, but we decided to splurge on a private session. For an hour and a half, we had a self-contained garden onsen space entirely to ourselves.
The layout included multiple baths—one warm, one hot, and one cold plunge—set within a private walled garden that balanced seclusion with a sense of openness. Bamboo fencing, smooth stones, and trickling water features completed the atmosphere. The water itself is sourced from mineral-rich underground springs, offering many of the same benefits as traditional Japanese onsens: muscle relaxation, improved circulation, and deep stress relief.
The private garden onsen at Onsen at Moncham
Stepping into the steaming bath, we could feel the tension of travel dissolve almost immediately. Alternating between the hot bath and the cold plunge was invigorating—an experience that left us feeling both energized and at peace. Because the session was private, we had the freedom to fully immerse ourselves in the ritual, without any distractions.
Hot spring water flows into stone-lined private onsen pools at Onsen at Moncham
What really set the experience apart was how natural it felt. Unlike some spa-style hot tubs, the onsen pools are stone-lined and integrated into the garden setting, making it easy to forget you’re at a hotel complex at all. It was quiet except for birdsong and the sound of flowing water, and the cool Mae Rim air against our skin heightened the pleasure of the warm baths.
The Restaurant
In addition to the baths, Onsen at Moncham has a Japanese restaurant onsite. The menu emphasizes clean, balanced flavors, with both traditional and contemporary dishes. After our onsen session, we sat down for a light meal and found it to be the perfect complement to the overall experience.
Think simple yet satisfying plates: bowls of miso soup, grilled tofu with sesame and soy glaze, crisp seasonal vegetables, and rice topped with sautéed mushrooms. There’s also fresh edamame, salted and served steaming, which felt like the ideal snack after the warmth of the onsen.
The restaurant’s design mirrors the broader aesthetic of Onsen at Moncham—minimalist, elegant, and harmonious with its surroundings. Large windows frame views of the hills and gardens, so even mealtimes feel like part of the restorative journey.
Staying overnight
While we didn’t stay at the hotel ourselves, Onsen at Moncham does function as a boutique resort with rooms and suites available. They’ve designed the accommodations in the same Japanese-inspired style, with tatami mats, sliding shoji screens, and a calming color palette of natural woods and creams. Many rooms overlook the gardens or the surrounding Mae Rim mountains.
Serene interiors and garden views, tatami seating, and a traditional foot bath at Onsen at Moncham
For those looking to extend the experience beyond a few hours, staying overnight would allow time to enjoy multiple soaks, explore the grounds at different times of day, and settle into a slower rhythm. It’s certainly a splurge, but one that could be worth it for special occasions.
The appeal of Mae Rim
Part of what makes Onsen at Moncham so special is its location. Mae Rim is just 45 minutes from Chiang Mai, but it feels worlds away. The region is known for its cool climate, lush hills, and diverse attractions, from waterfalls and flower farms to cultural centers and adventure activities.
By basing yourself in Mae Rim for a weekend, you can enjoy both restorative experiences like the onsen and more active explorations. For us, combining the peaceful baths of Onsen at Moncham with the vibrant flower farms of Mon Jam and the natural beauty of Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden made for a weekend that felt perfectly balanced.
A restful escape
Looking back, our time at Onsen at Moncham stands out as one of the most restorative experiences we’ve had in Chiang Mai. The combination of Japanese-inspired design, private onsen indulgence, and the beauty of Mae Rim’s hills created a memory that felt entirely unhurried and serene.
If you’re considering a weekend getaway to Mae Rim, we’d strongly recommend making Onsen at Moncham part of your itinerary. Whether you stay overnight or simply book a private onsen session, it offers a rare chance to fully unwind and immerse yourself in an environment designed for relaxation.
