Book direct with Ministry of Villas for the best price and to receive our complimentary concierge service. Select your dates below to reserve HOWIE'S HOMESTAY
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Description
Howie’s Homestay Overview
Howie’s Homestay defies categorisation: a lavish estate more akin to a palace than a homestay, this exclusive property offers a homely atmosphere to entice you to stay in and not leave for the duration of your trip! Located in the lovely province of Chiang Mai, this all-inclusive retreat is set on a hill dotted with luxe pavilions and 4 lavish bedrooms, allowing guests the joy of exploring the luscious gardens and exquisite water features with just a gently flowing river for company.
To preserve the area’s unrivalled natural beauty, the whole estate has been built with sustainable teak wood. The stunning architecture is designed in true Thai-style, and has peaceful living and dining areas for the whole group to get together in. The fluid design blends with the natural surroundings, while the shimmering pool adds a refreshing dose of tropical decadence. Thanks to the owners’ passionate devotion and genuine love for both Thailand and luxury travel, Howie’s Homestay is truly a magical escape.
Sleeps: 8 guests (10 max)
Features
- Air conditioned bedrooms
- Kitchen
- Private pool
- Laundry
- Satellite TV
- DVD player
- Free Wi-Fi access
- In-room safe
Inclusions
- Breakfast daily
- Lunch & dinner daily
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Fruit basket on arrival
- Villa manager
- Chef
- Housekeepers
- Butlers
- Security guards
- Return airport transfers
Extras
- Extra bed USD $145
- Children under 3yrs free
- No grocery surcharge
- Car and driver USD $163 per day
- Spa services
Hot Deals
Last Minute & Early Bird Bookings
Contact our Villa Specialists to find out if your dates are eligible for our Last Minute and Early Bird discounts.
Howie’s Homestay Living
The property is dominated by stunning pavilions designed according to the local Lanna tradition – think majestic sloping roofs towering high up into the heavens, lustrous teak wood floors and exquisite antiques scoured from throughout the continent. The majestic structures were designed by renowned architect Bensley following sustainable methods, allowing the villa to co-exist harmoniously with the surrounding nature.
Living Room
The living room floats atop a tranquil pond, which is home to countless Japanese Koi fish. The light and airy space is surrounded by immense floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views out into the garden and the untamed jungle beyond it. If you’re craving a feel of the outdoors, the property has several hideaways tailor-made for relaxing in the shade just waiting to be discovered.
Dining Room
The stately dining table is housed in the same exquisite glasshouse with the lavish living area. The fluid space is perfect for entertaining a large party with stunning views of the surrounding tropics providing an epic backdrop for a true tropical feast. Having an all-inclusive stay with delicious food being served to you every day is definitely a luxury lifestyle you can get used to!
Garden & Pool
The property is blessed with an immense private pool, which sits softly shimmering at the heart of the estate. The pool is surrounded by an opulent sundeck and as is true throughout the property, the views overlooking the surrounding valley are nothing short of spellbinding.
The villa sits nestled in a truly divine garden, which hides magical surprises round each and every corner. Guest get to gaze at tranquil lily ponds, relax in the shade of palm trees and feel the world melt away as the beautiful sing song of exotic songbirds floats in the breeze. If ever there was a modern-day Garden of Eden, this surely is it!
Howie’s Homestay Bedrooms
The property houses four immaculate bedrooms spread throughout he sprawling estate, allowing guests to get together to make memories to be treasured forever, and then to retreat into the soothing privacy of their own palatial suites. The design of the rooms pays tribute to the proud Thai traditions with rich textiles and opulent carvings, while still maintaining a sense of the ultimate modern luxury through state-of-the-art entertainment systems and lavish beds draped in dream-soft linen.
Three bedrooms are housed in the sumptuous Family Suite, while the fourth enjoys an exclusive location in the Teak Pavilion. The beds range from opulent double beds to soft-as-a-cloud twins, with beautifully detailed headboards adding a luxe vintage feel. The villa’s beautifully appointed bathrooms echo the luxurious feel of the rest of the property with opulent Thai influences evoking the feel of a lavishly exclusive spa.
Bedroom 1
2 Guests
1 King Bed
Bathroom (Shower)
Bedroom 2
2 Guests
1 King Bed
Bathroom (Shower)
Bedroom 3
2 Guests
1 King Bed
Bathroom (Shower)
Bedroom 4
2 Guests
2 Singles
Bathroom (Shower)
Howie’s Homestay Staff
Your stay in Howie’s Homestay is made enjoyable by the professional staff. Howie’s Homestay’s staff have been professionally trained and will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly hospitality.
Villa Manager
Howie’s Homestay’s experienced and knowledgeable manager is responsible for the overall operation of the villa. The villa manager will oversee and coordinate the staff and property and assist you during your stay.
Housekeeping
You didn’t think you would be expected to clean while enjoying time off did you? All of our villas include housekeeping to tidy up the villa, arrange the laundry services, wash up and simply make sure you don’t lift a finger whilst on holiday with the family.
Butlers
Butlers are on hand everyday to assist with serving during meal times and attend to other guest requirements throughout your stay.
Chef
The villa’s skilled private chef will happily prepare anything from the Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s dishes, as well as discuss special requests and dietary requirements. There is no menu available as the talented chef prepares a very extensive selection of dishes to share daily…minimum 6 different dishes which changes everyday with no one meal repeated.
Spa Therapists
Professional spa therapists will visit the villa on request to provide a range of spa treatments in the villa’s dedicated spa room.
Security
It’s nice to know you have security and many villas will have full-time guards or night time security available. Additional security can also be arranged if the villa doesn’t include any in the daily rate.
Location
Howie’s Homestay enjoys a peaceful location set amidst the luscious tropics, while the bustling streets of Chiang Mai are a 30-minute car ride away. Chiang Mai is the perfect destination for exploring vibrant Thai culture – the cosmopolitan city is said to house around 300 temples. Besides stunning spiritual life, Chiang Mai is also home to mouth-watering cuisine, with restaurants raining from spicy local food to delectable dishes from around the world.
If you venture outside the ancient walls surrounding the city, the neighbouring regions offer wonderful opportunities for exploring Thailand’s luscious nature and sacred elephant sanctuaries. Head for a rainforest trek or make your way through a thrilling zip-line high among the treetops – and prepare to be dazzled by Mother Nature in all her glory.
Bookings
Click on the ‘Reserve’ button to view live rates and availability for your desired dates. To book click on ‘Reserve Now’ and follow the steps. Ministry of Villas accepts Visa, MasterCard, Amex, PayPal or bank transfer. Once your payment has been processed, we will send you a booking confirmation via email.
Need to Know
- Minimum stay: Low Season: 2 nights, High Season: 2 nights, Peak Season: 2 nights
- Our rates include Government tax and services. Other websites add this on at the end of the booking!
- We offer the best rates online and offer a price guarantee to prove it!
- A deposit of 50% of the total amount must be paid at the time of booking
- Final payment is required 60 days prior to arrival
- Check-in time: 3pm – check-out time: 10.30am
- Late check out until 6pm can be arranged at half the rental rate (subject to availability)
- Payment can be settled by credit card or PayPal (3% payment processing fee)
- Payment can be settled by bank transfer in your preferred currency (AUD / EUR / GBP / JPY / NZD / SGD / USD)
- Read our full terms and conditions
Dianne –
Howie’s Home Stay immediately exceeded our expectations, and we were still only in the vehicle courtyard. Photos can’t begin to describe its beauty. A few steps later, we were transported inside an Architectural Digest Magazine, later discovering it had been featured in this publication, amongst others. There is an actual Howie who warmly welcomed us. Howie provided a goldilocks orientation, neither too long nor short, though we weren’t really paying attention as our eyes were mesmerized by the surroundings. If you are a lover of architecture, landscaping, fine furnishings and art, you have come to the right place, and yet there is more, as we soon discovered. The forested mountain views, especially enjoyed from the infinity pool, are the foothills of the Himalayas and include a small golden buddha temple on the distant horizon. There is a 10-minute walk within the property on a stone pathway to see some friendly wildlife residents. All is yours to enjoy exclusively, as there is only one reservation accepted at a time, and privacy is a welcomed reprieve in our increasingly busy world. Immaculately maintained, we were spoiled with 5 Star Service from the staff who quietly executed perfectly. This, together with the feeling of your own private home, was a nice contrast to luxury hotels that often seem soulless.
For activities beyond this heaven on earth, trust in Howie. Once decided, all details are managed like Swiss clockwork. If, instead, peace and tranquillity with a swim are desired, go no further than just beyond your bedroom suite door. Pleasant surprises continued as we got to know our hosts, who also knew when guests needed time to themselves. Howie’s stories told with humour, are worthy of an autobiography. Then there is Jerri, Howie’s wife and partner. She owns a very successful restaurant in town and, naturally, was our chef while at the villa. It felt like a Michelin Star restaurant in a gorgeous yet unpretentious setting. The presentation was Louvre-worthy art, and the taste sensations were a gastrointestinal tour de force of the very best in Thai cuisine and creativity. If Jerri ever produces the cookbook, we encouraged her to write and buy it.
When leaving, we again thought about the Home Stay name Howie chose for this magnificent architectural gem. It indeed felt as comfortable as Home, and we already missed our Stay.
TripAdvisor Reviewed December 2022
Stayed in November 2022
jodiepoppy –
WOW, WOW and yet another WOW
From my initial enquiry through to our transportation to our next location (and recommendations beyond), I cannot fault the service. Everything was as smooth and stress-free as we have ever experienced.
This gem of a place is a stunning oasis with outstanding customer service.
The Teak suite is beautiful, the bed as comfortable as you will ever find, a stunning silk daybed to relax, a wonderful bathroom with everything you could need, loungers outside, at the other side a full fridge and chairs in the shade, stunning gardens and complete privacy- if you require.
The day room had a wonderful collection of books and a great shaded area to while away a day. The pool is fabulous, with loungers, chairs and tables everywhere. It would be easy to do this review all about the hosts but there is so much more to this place. The setting and gardens are unparalleled, and the ambience is just heavenly; it’s a retreat if that’s what you require- we had massages without having to leave the premises. Howie is like a genie in a bottle; he can muster up just about anything! Jerri, who is the understated star, is just the most gifted chef! Every day she did her magic and completely overwhelmed us with the most delicious meals. Everything was fresh, and so much choice; there was enough food for 10. She tweaked a lot of dishes, as I prefer fish and veggies, but she took it all in her stride and served the best food I’ve had in Thailand.
We left to experience the city, and it was the worst decision of our trip. We just pined to go back. We missed our oasis and our baby BamBam (resident baby golden retriever) and of course, Howie, Jerri, all the wonderful staff, and not forgetting GiGi, BamBam’s friend.
We will return!!!!!!!”
TripAdvisor Reviewed November 2022
Stayed in November 2022
PikPik –
I never thought there was such a unique place in Chiang Mai! Here is not a hotel, not an AIRBNB, but a homestay! But absolutely there are more luxurious than hotels and more private experiences! Many small corners can find your own peaceful space to relax or read books. It was an extraordinary experience and the highlight of our trip to Chiang Mai! We are from staying in Mandarin Oriental BKK, FourSeasons Chiang Mai, and after that, we all just have one conclusion, Howie’s Homestay is the best of the best! Howie is super nice, always arranging everything for us, and his wife Jerri cooked for us, and the food was just amazing!! I would like to say a big thanks to them because this is our first family trip after three years of Covid. And they bring us lots of unforgettable memories.
Trip Advisor Reviewed September 2022, Stayed August 2022
Gene H –
We had the privilege of visiting Howie’s Homestay with our daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Greg, which had been their longtime dream. It was even better than any of us had imagined! We were warmly greeted at the entrance by Howie as he toured us all around this beautifully landscaped mystical paradise with winding pathways, bridges, ponds, and authentic Thai accents throughout. The rustic teak architecture of the home and suites were simply stunning. The gorgeous kitchen/dining room overlooked the far end of a large infinity pool where we could see the beautiful countryside with long-range mountain views just beyond the property. Since only one group/family at a time visited, we had the whole place to ourselves, which was very peaceful and relaxing. Howie’s extremely talented wife, Jerri, made us the tastiest and most artful Thai meals from scratch. We are quite sure she could even teach celebrity chefs a few lessons in both flavour and food art. We enjoyed the interesting and fun conversations with Howe and Jerri as they joined us for some meals. Their hospitality was incredible. Howie takes the time to find in advance what types of activities guests might want to enjoy during the visit. He customized and planned every single detail so that all our time spent was simply relaxing and enjoying the area. Eddy, the customized tour guide and driver, was a pleasure to be with and very knowledgeable about the area. With our welcoming gestures, we even got to enjoy little visits from our furry friends, Gigi and Deedee, as they made their daily rounds. Overall, we would rate this experience off the scale, and words cannot describe this magical and charming treasure called “Howie’s Homestay”.
TripAdvisor Reviewed January 2022
Stayed in December 2021
Катерина Абрамович –
Just great !! There is everything in the complex, and if something is not found, the owner will surely help you. Very, very welcome; you feel at home. The host’s wife prepares dishes tastier and more beautiful than any restaurant in Chiang Mai. I highly recommend it; everything is top-notch!
Google Reviewed January 2022
cindee shankar –
Howie’s Homestay is an amazing experience. We stayed six nights this Dec for a family vacation. This was the BEST vacation yet. Howie made our vacation seamless. Everyone enjoyed the day’s extrusions, all coordinated by Howie & his staff. The meals are an experience & all made by Howie’s wife, Jerri. The home you have all to yourself & every part of the property & gardens have wonderful views. We will definitely return! Thank you to Howie, Jerri & their staff for an amazing family vacation.
Google Reviewed January 2022
Hilary R –
Howie’s Homestay is a truly unique and exceptional experience. The architecture, landscape, art, interiors, and setting are nothing short of stunning. From the moment we turned into the driveway, we knew we were in for a treat in a very special home. Walking the grounds transports you to a peaceful Asian oasis and invites you to relax and settle into the peaceful surroundings. Howie is a superb conversationalist with a very interesting story, and his wife, Jerry, is as lovely as she is talented in the kitchen. We enjoyed exceptional authentic Thai food and only wish we could have stayed longer.
TripAdvisor Reviewed January 2022
Stayed in January 2022
scdevereaux –
A veritable Shangri-La in northern Thailand
I had my eye on Howie’s Homestay for a number of years. This year a vacation plans for Thailand finally fell into place. From first contact I knew I was dealing with something different. You’re not dealing with a chain or entity, you’re dealing with Howie, his wife and team. This prompted a call. Howie’s personality and demeanor had me hooked. I hung up happy and the booking was confirmed with a simple email, call it a handshake. My wife and I arrived and were greeted by Howie and his team. The check-in process wasn’t a process at all. We felt like we were visiting an old friend. Everything about it was casual.
The property is a 4 acre work of art, an architectural marvel, which is dedicated to your use for the duration of your stay. There are no other guests. At ever point on the property there is something new to see for every 5 degrees you look. The place is unbelievable yet very, very real. We only left the property once for a visit Patara Elephant Farm (highly recommend). There were a number of activities we could have done but opted to simply enjoy the property. How could you not? It is, by definition, a Shangri La.To boot, his wife, Jerri is a sweetheart and one hell-of-a cook! All of her dinner dishes stack up against some of the best Thailand had to offer during our visit.
We didn’t pay a thing until the very end of our stay. There was no deposit, no upfront this, no block on that. Howie doesn’t nickel and dime. It was one price for everything (food, drink, laundry, excursions, you name it). Everything about the experience was warm, friendly, simple and to the point. This ranks as one of the best travel experiences we’ve had to date.
If we’d died and gone to heaven it wouldn’t be St. Peter who’d meet us at the pearly gates. It’d probably be Howie.
TripAdvisor Reviewed January 2022
Stayed in December 2021
55shankarsf –
Howie’s Homestay is the best-kept secret! We stayed six nights for a family vacation. We have been trying to visit for the last year and a half. Howie made our vacation seamless by keeping us updated on the changing travel requirements. This was the most stress-free vacation; from the moment we landed, everything was taken care of. The excursions recommended and arranged by Howie were the best, and his staff looked out after us. A big thank you to Addy, our tour guide & to our driver. Meals at Howie’s are made by his wife, Jerri and were the highlight of our day. Each meal was a work of art & the flavours were phenomenal. She is a true artist at her craft. I can’t say enough about how amazing our experience has been. The location & accommodations are the best you will find. If you can make it to Howie’s before all the tourists return, I highly suggest you do so. Thank you to Howie, Jerri & staff that made our vacation the best we have ever experienced!
Trip Advisor Reviewed December 2021
Stayed December 2021
linda –
Curated sculpture park meets magical home with architectural perfection!
You have to go there because pictures cannot do justice to the artistic virtues of the compound. Howie and Jeri are truly hosts with the most! There is no place I have ever been that has elevated the culture with extensive collections from different periods. Attention to comfort and detail is everywhere, Our family was welcomed by all and we feel truly blessed to have discovered such a gem.
Trip Advisor Reviewed January 2020
Stayed January 2020
JAXDaddy2013 –
Extremely rare find! Once in a lifetime experience. For those that are looking for magic moments in life, I highly recommend you book a few days at Howie’s Homestay, if available. This private retreat is something that only a few get to experience in life due to its exclusivity, and it is a true paradise. To make it more special, take advantage of some time with the estate’s hosts: Howie and Jerri… who have endless insights and stories to share that you won’t learn elsewhere in Chiang Mai. Wish we could have spent even more time here. The food, accommodations and hospitality were world class.
Trip Advisor November 2019
Stayed November 2019
expat07 –
This is a truly lovely place. The ambiance is magical and even more so when lit up at night. The property is expansive with stunning lush gardens, a lovely walkway around the pond and beautiful appointments everywhere you turn with many interesting nooks, artifacts and books. If you require, Howie will thoughtfully arrange all your activities in Chiang Mai and beyond (he arranged our stay and complete itinerary in Chiang Rai) with a private car, driver and personal guide for our entire time in Northern Thailand including airport transfers Everything was expertly arranged and taken care of which made planning the trip a breeze. Dinners cooked by Howie’s wife Jerri are unparalleled in artistry, quality and taste. A feast for the eyes and palate. No need to dine out as you will not find traditional Northern Thai food as good anywhere else. However if you want to make reservations in town, Howie would be happy to recommend and reserve any number of great places. In addition to booking exclusive tours on our behalf – Patara Elephant Farm was an amazing experience and it was less touristy than a place we might have chosen on our own— he also arranged our spa time at a lovely local place and shopping in local markets with a guide who was an amazingly resourceful help with vendors. al place and shopping in local markets with a guide who was an amazingly resourceful help with vendors. The very private main guest room is gorgeously appointed and the beds are exquisitely comfortable. This is unique, luxurious and exclusive property for discerning guests. If you’re looking for a special place that has it all and more than you can imagine, this is it!
Trip Advisor Reviewed November 2019
Stayed November 2019
Lisa L –
” Otherworldly experience
We decided to go to Thailand for a family trip. Meeting Howie was a gift from the universe. [Actually it was a gift from Gwyneth Paltrow because I read about his private resort in GOOP years earlier.] As soon as we contacted Howie he helped us to design a way for us to explore the country the best we could in two weeks. This included him finding us unique places to stay in other parts of the country. By far the time that we spent at his place – which included experiencing the delights of Thai cuisine from his talented wife Jerri – was the highlight of our trip. The kids are still talking about it (their favourite trip ever, and we’ve travelled quite a bit) and we plan to go back again. The attention to detail and relationship that we developed with Howie is something that you will not get from a hotel – even if it’s a luxury hotel. To be fair, this isn’t a hotel. It’s a private resort for the lucky ones. If I could travel only this way all of the time, I would.
Reviewed July 2019 Stayed December 2018
George K –
Nirvana –
Nirvana is defined as “”a state of perfect happiness; an ideal or idyllic place””.
Howie’s Homestay is Nirvana. It is the closest we have ever come to a Garden of Eden.
We came upon Howie’s Homestay through an internet search as we planned our last-minute trip to northern Thailand. We were unbelievably fortunate to spend six magical days at Howie’s, surrounded by heart-stopping beauty, both natural and man-made. At Howie’s you are immersed in tranquility, surrounded by your own private tropical jungle, creek, pond (complete with ducks and a turtle!) and an infinity pool with an indescribably stunning view of the mountainous horizon. We have never been to a more serene, romantic place! But the physical surroundings are only the backdrop for the “”experience”” of being there, which is shaped by the personalities of Howie and Jerri, the American-Thai couple that don’t just host you, they adopt you! It is so clear that for Howie, this isn’t a business, it’s a mission! And the mission is for his guests to simply have an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. You see, Howie built this place for himself, as his home, and only in the past five years decided to share his piece of paradise with guests. So many have written about Howie’s hospitality, attention to detail and attentive organization of his guests’ every need and whim – and of Jerri’s extraordinary culinary talents. All of this is true, and more. But for us, their most endearing quality is simply their sincerity. Sincere interest in us. Sincere desire to make our stay perfect. Sincere caring.
And Howie is SUCH an interesting person! He’s a Renaissance Man! A self-made creative entrepreneur, knowledgeable about history, politics, business…
One more thing about Howie. He’s a fun guy with a great sense of humor!
We left Howie’s Homestay not only with memories of an unforgettable experience, but with a sense that we make a new friend for life.
TripAdvisor Reviewed October 2019
Stayed in October 2018