Chic Relaxation: Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

We’ve been to Thailand a couple of times now. This country has always been associated with busy cities, iconic beaches, street food and countless crazy adventures. That’s how we mostly knew Thailand as well. But recently, while spending our second month in Chiang Mai, we came across another very sophisticated way how to discover Thailand at the Four Seasons Resort Chaing Mai.

Did you know that you can have an elegant, high-class Afternoon Tea experience right here in Chiang Mai? Just like you would in London! But surely there’s an obvious difference between those two.

The London one will happen in the UK weather conditions, while the Thailand one you’ll get to experience in the warm sunshine. Sitting right by the lush green rice paddies surrounded by rainforest covered mountains at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?

And if you really think about it, experiencing a tea ritual in Thailand actually makes a lot of sense. Just think about the nearby Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka which are the home of the biggest green tea plantations in the world.

So this could be the main difference between English Tea traditions and the UK being the mecca for drinking black tea, as in Asia most people drink green tea. The green tea with coconut flavor, green tea with lemongrass, lavender green tea that’s popular here in Thailand are all green tea based.

THE BEST AFTERNOON TEA IN CHIANG MAI

What made the whole idea of this Afternoon Tea experience so special to me right away, before even trying it, was a chance to just be surrounded by the relaxed yet elegant and stylish atmosphere at the Four Seasons. No-one is expecting anything less from them ever. The other thing was an interest to learn what a tea drinking ritual in Thailand will be like, as we’d never heard of it before.

The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Afternoon Tea experience is held at their restaurant KHAO. It offers a terrace overlooking the emerald rice paddies, a cute little lake and the Doi Suthep Mountains as a backdrop. On the opposite side of the lake, there’s a wooden yoga barn and a bit further two buffalos – a pretty pink one and a black one, spending their leisure days by the lake. Not a bad setting for the tea afternoon at all.

As we have learned from British, the proud inventors of the afternoon tea, it’s much more about the ritual than anything else. It’s the tradition of re-visiting the traditional values, being presented with an assortment of tasty treats, honoring the tea culture and doing it all in an exciting location. British has their way of doing it, and Thais have found theirs, adding their perfect exotic twist to it.

The locally grown quality tea, as well as the charming and relaxed atmosphere and the closeness to the wild jungle, are just a few elements of this special ritual, that the Four Seasons offers their guests in Chiang Mai. And just wait until you’ll get to taste all the afternoon tea snacks!

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE AFTERNOON TEA AT THE FOUR SEASONS RESORT CHIANG MAI?

The whole Afternoon tea process starts with you picking the tea flavor of your choice. Even though it’s called an afternoon tea, you’re able to get a variety of coffee as well. They offer includes flavors like coconut or lychee. Pretty exotic tea flavors from what we usually see around the world, but that adds that specific Thai element, that we loved.

The tea offered at the Four Seasons is called “Monsoon Tea”. It’s an eco-friendly product, grown locally in a harmony with forest in the hills of Northern Thailand. From all the available options, people’s favorite is the Lychee green tea, allowing people to enjoy the mix of the smooth taste of a green tea and the intense yet fresh taste of lychee. That’s exactly what Gita picked, while I drank the coconut one and loved every sip of it.

The second part of this high tea experience is the three-story tower with super delicious snacks. There was a choice of fresh gourmet sandwiches, petit fours, mini pastries, tarts, and pies, besides Thai-inspired snacks. The KHAO’s special treat are the scones, served with clotted cream and homemade preserves. People love them for their delicate texture and the classic taste.

The Four Seasons resort is offering this foodie experience in the nature lover’s perfect setting for 1770 Thai Baht per set. It’s not just an afternoon meal, but a classic high tea ritual made exciting with an exotic Thai twist. And the best part – it’s available to everyone who has decided to visit Chiang Mai, not only the resort guests.

HOW TO GET TO FOUR SEASONS RESORT FROM CHIANG MAI?

The resort is located about half an hour drive outside the city. It makes the Four Seasons visit as a perfect chance to get out of the city buzz and let yourself to relax for a while in the peace and quiet. That’s exactly how it feels at the resort. And luckily it’s super easy to get there. One option as always is to take a taxi that will drive you out there.

The other one is to use The Four Seasons free shuttle bus. It takes you from Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center to the Resort and back several times a day. The shuttle times are 11:00 am, 2:15 pm, 5:15 pm from the Four Seasons resort to Maya, and at 12:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 6:15 pm from Maya to the Four Seasons. The Maya stop is right by the Starbucks entrance.

We used the shuttle bus ourselves and it was super convenient. So why not to spent a sophisticated and chic afternoon in the Chiang Mai area, to take a break from all rush that you experience in the city? This was one of the most relaxing and nicest experiences we had in Chiang Mai, as the atmosphere at the Four Seasons is unforgettable.

Compare the prices and availability for Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai here: Booking.com | Agoda

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