Getting There & First Impressions

Panviman is nestled deep in the mountains of Mae Rim district, with the journey roughly 1 hour away from Chiang Mai city. Having arrived on an early morning flight, I was a bit jet-lagged, however, the perilous journey up the hills triggered me to stay awake throughout the ride.

Upon arriving, we were greeted by a refreshing welcome drink inside a traditional Lanna (Northern Thai)-style building which also doubled as the lobby and reception area. This attention to detail set the tone for my entire Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort review experience.

The entire resort is spread out across highly steep terrain over a large hillside, with each unit (literally 1 bungalow) requiring buggy access from the front reception area. Nevertheless, the hotel staff will ferry guests back and forth between their room and the lobby. This added a positive impression to the attention to detail.

The Deluxe Room

I stayed in a Deluxe Room, measuring around 45 square meters. The room featured traditional Lanna wooden architecture that somehow managed to look authentic without feeling dated.

Inside, you get a king-sized bed, a small seating area, and a work desk (though honestly, I didn’t touch it the entire stay). The bathroom was a highlight. There’s both an indoor rain shower and an outdoor shower surrounded by bamboo screening, which felt surprisingly private despite being open-air. Air conditioning worked quietly, and the blackout curtains were thick enough to sleep through the morning light.

The room opened onto a small balcony with mountain views. While not as expansive as the pool villa terraces, it still offered a nice spot to enjoy the morning air and scenery. Storage space was adequate with a wardrobe and safe. For this Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort review, I found the Deluxe Room to be an excellent balance of comfort and value.

Getting Around the Resort

Here’s something they don’t always make clear in photos: the resort is seriously steep. Each room is perched on the hillside, connected by winding paths that would be a workout if you had to walk them regularly.

The resort solves this with golf cart shuttles. Just call the front desk, and within a few minutes, a staff member arrives to drive you wherever you need to go, whether that’s the restaurant, spa, or main pool. It became part of the routine, and the staff were always friendly about it, even at odd hours.

Room service is also available if you want to skip the trip down to the restaurant. The isolation works in the resort’s favor if you’re specifically there to disconnect.

The Pool & Spa

The main infinity pool stretches along the hillside with mountain views that look especially good in the late afternoon light. It’s open from 7 AM to 7 PM and includes a shallow section. Pool towels are provided at the poolside sala, and staff occasionally came by with cold face towels. A small touch, but appreciated in the heat.

The spa operates daily with treatment rooms tucked into the hillside. I went for a traditional Thai massage. 90 minutes of stretching and pressure point work. It’s not gentle, but that’s kind of the point. Prices were comparable to upscale spas in Chiang Mai city, maybe a bit higher, but you’re paying for the setting. Booking ahead is recommended, especially on weekends.

There’s also a small fitness room (basic cardio equipment), morning yoga sessions (complimentary, though I never made it), and a library area with books and board games. Parking is free and right by the reception.

Dining

The resort has one main restaurant, open-air with valley views. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7 AM to 10 PM. Breakfast is buffet-style and was included in my rate. You get the usual mix of Thai staples (rice porridge, stir-fries), Western options (eggs made to order, toast, cereals), fresh tropical fruit, and basic pastries. Nothing mind-blowing, but solid enough to start the day.

For lunch and dinner, there’s an à la carte menu covering Thai dishes, some Western basics, and Northern Thai specialties. I tried the khao soi and sai oua. Both were well-executed. Portions are standard, and food typically arrives within 20-30 minutes. The bar has beer, wine, cocktails, and fresh juices.

Room service is available 24 hours with a slightly smaller menu and a modest surcharge. Given the remote location and the effort it takes to get anywhere else at night, on-site dining makes a lot of sense. I ended up eating at the resort for most meals and didn’t feel like I was missing out. This is typical for mountain resorts, and something you’ll see mentioned in any Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort review.

WiFi & Staying Connected

WiFi is available throughout the property, but don’t expect miracles. In the room, speeds were fine for checking email and messaging apps, but video calls were choppy and streaming wasn’t happening. The connection was more stable near the restaurant and lobby.

If you’re planning to work remotely or need consistent internet, this probably isn’t the place. But if you’re specifically trying to disconnect, the spotty WiFi actually works in your favor.

Things Worth Knowing

Final Verdict: Panviman Chiang Mai Spa Resort Review

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Stayed here in 2019. Prices and policies may have changed since. All photos are from my visit. I paid for the stay and wasn’t compensated by the property.