Onsen @ Moncham in Chiang Mai, Thailand
In a tropical country where it’s hot all-year-round, one could wonder why we even have hot spring resorts and spas in Thailand. Well, at least we did when we first moved here.
However, after years of not being able to fly over to Japan and finally acclimatising to the climate – where 20°C is considered “cold” – the idea of soaking away our worries while watching a sea of fog wash over Chiang Mai’s mountains doesn’t sound too perplexing.
If you really miss taking trips to Japan and are really frustrated about it, we’d recommend heading up to Onsen @ Moncham in Chiang Mai to soak away some of that frustration in mineral-rich water.
More onsens in Thailand:
- Mayu Bangkok has rooms with private onsen tubs and zen gardens
- Ma-Du-El Zen Resort in Pattaya has yukatas to complete the onsen experience
- Kashikiri Soda Bangkok uses spa water imported from Japan
This resort in Chiang Mai looks so much like Japan
Onsen @ Moncham is a mountain ryokan that’s located 1,200M above sea level in Chiang Mai.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
Nestled in between Chiang Mai’s verdant ridges, visitors can experience waves of fog rolling across the lush resort.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
The resort’s Japanese-style architecture combined with the cool mountain air will make visitors temporarily forget that they’re in a tropical country.
Image credit: @phingpit
Furthermore, the establishment has an entire building dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation.
The Onsen uses water from 100M underground
Onsen @ Moncham has an entire structure, The Onsen, for guests to unwind in.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
There are different sections for men and women. Each wing of the spa has an indoor spring, an outdoor spring as well as two personal tubs on the patio.
Image credit: @phingpit
The water in the springs comes from 100M underground and is filled with minerals like copper, calcium, magnesium, sulfate ions, and zinc, as written by Onsen @ Moncham.
Image credit: @hotchaah
Ryokan guest rooms and private onsen suites
If bathing in a communal onsen isn’t really your thing, then we’d suggest opting for one of the hotel’s private onsen villas.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
The Grand Terrace Suite With Onsen features an outdoor tub on a patio that faces the mountains and starts at ฿10,950 (~USD334)/night.
Like all of the rooms at the resort, the Grand Terrace Suite With Onsen is decked out in minimalist Japanese ryokan decor.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
Yes, those are yukata on the bed for guests to wear around the resort.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
At the moment, the hotel’s ryokan section, which houses the guest rooms, is under construction. So, only 1-4 bedroom suites are available.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
The most spacious option is the 4-Bedroom Emperor Suite which includes a private onsen and a soaking tub.
Image credit: Onsen @ Moncham
Soak away your worries at this onsen resort in Chiang Mai
Though it may seem counterintuitive to go to an onsen when you’re in a tropical country, the idea of soaking in mineral-rich water and looking out into the expanse of nature could help you temporarily forget about that juxtaposition.
While we may not be able to bathe alongside Hokkaido’s snow monkeys in Japan this year, a trip to an onsen resort up north – where the weather is cooler – may be just what we need to celebrate getting through 2021.
Plus, a one-hour and 15-minute flight to Chiang Mai does sound better than flying six hours to Japan, and then spending a couple more hours in the shinkansen to get to your onsen resort.
Onsen @ Moncham
Address: 293, Pong Yaeng, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180
Telephone:Â +66 5 3111 606
Onsen @ Moncham website | Google Maps
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise From Top Left): @onsenatmoncham, @phingpit, Onsen @ Moncham
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