ACCOMMODATION
1 Chedi Chiang Mai
This is an elegant retreat offering resort living on the Mae Ping River, in the heart of the city. Each of the 52 exquisitely appointed deluxe rooms and 32 Chedi Club Suites are decorated in contemporary Asian design with private courtyards, open balconies and
great views.
For meetings, the Chedi offers professional secretarial services, two meeting rooms with complimentary wireless internet access and video conferencing. Private dining rooms
are available for banquets in a setting suitable for intimate CEO-level gatherings.
www.ghmhotels.com
2 Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Meeting facilities combine with tranquillity for relaxed seminars and incentive programmes at the Four Seasons, with 64 pavilions and 16 residences overlooking terraced rice fields and mountains.
Customised group itineraries take in cultural tours, ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ eco-adventures, Thai massage and cooking classes, yoga, meditation sessions and treatments at the resort’s spa.
Themed events include the Floral Extravaganza, Lanna Night and Chiang Mai Night Market, and the resort can arrange dancers for banquets in the 120 sqm Intanin.
www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai
3 Holiday Inn Chiangmai
The 526-room Holiday Inn Chiangmai, on the Mae Ping River, has suitable space for up to 800 delegates. The sprawling lawn is ideal for hosting activities from Lanna theme parties and welcome dinners, to watching firework displays and launching hot-air lanterns. Two large ballrooms can host banquets for up to 800 people, and three seminar rooms bring available meeting space to more than 2,000 sqm. Recent incentive groups include a 300-guest Amway celebration, a 200-delegate incentive gathering for ING Insurance and the 2007 Asean Ministerial Forum.
www.holidayinn.com/chiangmai
4 Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Spread over 24 hectares, this hotel is just five kilometres from Chiang Mai’s centre. The
resort features two-storey villas, colonial suites and grand residences. Event planners can choose from seven venues, including the 350-seat Grand Ballroom, the Bua Kham Pond for cocktail parties and the Khong Khao Lawn for a reception for up to 1,500 people.
www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai
TEAMBUILDING
5 Jungle adventures
Teambuilding takes on a new perspective in the jungle. Just ask HP, Nokia, Reuters, Bayer, Reed Exhibitions, Dell and Deutsche Bank, all of which have faced the trials and trails offered by Track of the the Tiger. Goaloriented adventures are on offer for groups of any size. For example, teams can take part in the ‘Baht Builder’, made up of more than 30 challenges, to test communication skills. Another option, the ‘A-Maze-In Thailand Race’, tests cyclists’ navigation skills through botanical gardens north of the city. The ‘Castaway Coastal Survival’ strands participants who must find water, food and shelter, with no help in sight.
www.track-of-the-tiger.com
6 Elephant rides
Konthaitours is another reputable DMC offering adventure for teambuilding groups with white-water rafting, overnight jungle treks, caving, elephant rides through virgin rainforest and a mountain-biking programme among its incentive offerings. All challenges are offered for a range of corporate activities, including leadership training and teambuilding. Another option is the Teambuilding Challenge, which gives squads a map and list of tasks to undertake while
touring Chiang Mai’s attractions.
www.konthaitours.com
7 Mountain biking
SpiceRoads operates bicycle-based incentive tours, teambuilding trips and corporate adventures. Guides assist incentive planners in customising programmes by selecting the destinations, number of days, activities and level of comfort: from easygoing to adventurous, from basic to total luxury. Recent clients include Philips, Pernod Ricard Taiwan, Cobra and Lundbeck.
www.spiceroads.com
DINING
8 Authentic cuisine
Khum Khantok is an authentic northern Thai-style restaurant on the banks of the tranquil Kao River and is a great venue for incentive groups to experience Lanna dining. Authentic northern Thai cuisine is served on a shared khantoke – a round wooden tray with legs – to guests who dine on the floor while watching classical dances in a three-hour dining experience. The hall holds 100 sunken seats and 200 traditional Lanna seats, and the outdoor venue holds twice that number.
www.khumkhantoke.net
9 River cruises
The Riverside’s dinner cruises are a proven hit among business groups, which enjoy great food and service while drifting past old temples on the Ping River.
Event planners can choose the type of boat, departure time and specially designed set menus. Cruises can handle up to 40-persons for dinner or up to 60 for cocktail parties. The restaurant itself hosts up to 300 people for dinner.
www.theriversidechiangmai.com
