The Lanna Kingdom, of which Chiang Mai is the capital, once spanned Southern China, eastern Myanmar and Laos, and was known for its abundance of natural resources. It is the lifestyle and plentiful nature of this era of Lanna that inspired the design of the hotel. Like living compounds in days past, Chala Number 6’s buildings are scattered around the perimeter of the property, looking inwards towards its communal area. Like traditional homes, living quarters are on the most part upstairs overlooking the compound crowned at its centre by a reproduction of a traditional lhong, or rice barn, exquisitely carved and created from hardwood by a renowned local crafts master.