The Veranda High Resort, an M Gallery Accor property, is a beautiful hilltop resort about 30 mins from the centre of Chiang Mai.

I am greeted by the EAM, Max, on arrival and upgraded to a Jacuzzi Pavillion Suite due to my partner’s Accor Platinum status. He gives us some great advice as to what to do and see whilst staying here.

The room is beautiful, spacious, and has a large deck with the Jacuzzi overlooking rice fields and mountains. The bed is huge – possibly larger than ‘King’, and each night as part of the turndown service we receive a small gift on the bed – including a toy elephant, and a small packet of rice harvested from the resort’s own rice field.

The infinity pool below the main restaurant is lovely (as is the view); this is where we also have breakfast each morning. A good selection of Thai and western dishes are available.

The gym 2 floors down besides the Children’s playroom is well equipped, although I only use it once during my stay.

The resort provides a convenient, complimentary shuttle 3 times per day that takes you into town, to different locations depending on the time of day and the day of the week.
It really feels like you are living with nature – the scenery is superb, the chirping of the birds in the morning, and the bellows of the frogs in the drains in the evening all add to the ‘close to nature’ feeling.

A great escape for a few days.