By the time the sun edges above the Mae Rim mountains, the garden at Monoceros Resort is already awake. Birds call to one another across the canopy, dew clings to tropical leaves, and the saltwater pool mirrors the shifting colors of the sky. Guests step out of their private cottages onto verandas where the air feels lighter, cleaner — the kind of air that insists you slow down.
In a region where luxury resorts compete with wellness retreats for attention, Monoceros doesn’t shout. It whispers. And perhaps that is its greatest strength.
A Story Rooted in Passion
Monoceros is the dreamchild of Paul, a Dutch designer with a gift for interiors, and Peerapong (Aom), a native of Udon Thani who spent three decades in the Netherlands before returning to Thailand with a love of gardening and cooking. Their story is one of serendipity: the chance discovery of a fertile plot in Ban Mae Raem, filled with towering trees and framed by mountains.
What began as a shared dream became a year-long labor of love, building both their home and a retreat where others could share in the peace they had found. Today, every corner of Monoceros reflects their fingerprints: Paul’s sense of design, Aom’s lush gardens and kitchen, and the kind of warmth that only comes when hosts truly live where they work.
Where Hoteliers Come to Rest
One of Monoceros’ regular guests offers perhaps the best endorsement of all: a boutique hotel owner from Zanzibar who returns here season after season. “You know a hotel is exceptional,” he once remarked over breakfast, “when hoteliers choose it for themselves.” It’s the ultimate insider compliment — a quiet recognition that Monoceros gets something right that can’t be faked.
Cottage Comforts
There are just ten Phrae-style cottages here, each one a sanctuary of polished wooden floors, spacious bathrooms, and verandas that spill out into garden and pool views. Whether furnished with king or twin beds, every cottage balances rustic charm with modern ease: air-conditioning, smart TVs, Wi-Fi, hot showers, and thoughtful touches like complimentary water and daily breakfast.
Unlike many larger resorts, Monoceros thrives on intimacy. There is no sense of crowding; no need to race for sunbeds or worry about queues. Guests are known by name, and the pool, lined with parasols and recliners, often feels as though it belongs only to you.
A Table of Many Flavors
Dining at the Monoceros Restaurant is another highlight. The kitchen celebrates the full spectrum of Thai cuisine — from fiery Isaan salads to Chiang Mai’s slow-braised gaeng hang lay curry — while also serving familiar Western comforts like schnitzel, salmon steak, or fish and chips. Many of the herbs and vegetables come directly from the resort’s own garden, lending each dish a freshness you can taste.
Breakfast, served as the sun lifts over Mae Rim, is a ritual of simplicity and pleasure: tropical fruit, strong coffee, garden air. By evening, guests linger over curries or papaya salad as cicadas sing and lanterns flicker in the trees.
More Than a Stay: A Way of Being
The facilities at Monocero here are designed not to overwhelm but to support the rhythm of an unhurried day. A saltwater pool invites midday swims. A massage pavilion tucked into the garden restores tired muscles. Complimentary bicycles make exploring the neighborhood effortless. And for those who wish to go further afield, the team arranges transfers, tours, and personal recommendations with a kind of insider knowledge only locals can provide.
The World at Your Doorstep
Step beyond the garden and Mae Rim unfolds as a playground of culture and adventure. Within minutes you can wander the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, trek to the Mae Sa Waterfall, or drive the scenic loop up to Doi Mon Cham for sweeping mountain views and strawberry fields.
Elephant sanctuaries nearby provide ethical encounters with Thailand’s gentle giants, while adrenaline seekers can zip-line through forests, tackle rope courses, or ride ATVs across rugged hills. For quieter moments, the teakwood halls of Dara Pirom Palace and the temple grounds of Wat Pa Dara Phirom invite reflection on Chiang Mai’s layered history.
The Secret Ingredient
Ask returning guests what makes Monoceros special, and most will pause before answering. Yes, the cottages are comfortable, the pool sparkling, the food delicious. But what truly sets it apart is more elusive: a feeling of belonging. The resort feels personal, unpretentious, and woven into its landscape.
As one guest — the Zanzibar hotelier — put it, “This is where I come when I want to remember why I love hospitality.”
Plan Your Escape
Whether you are looking for a romantic hideaway, a digital detox, or simply a pause in the lush gardens of northern Thailand, Monoceros Resort offers a kind of tranquility that stays with you long after you leave.
📍 21/2 Moo 6, Ban Mae Raem, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand 📞 +66 882 513 962 | ✉️ monocerosresort@gmail.com
