The Riverie by Katathani
by the TopOfHotel team
The Riverie is a 5-star resort on an island in the Kok River, with river views from every room — strong service, score 9.4.
The Riverie is a 5-star resort on an island in the Kok River, with river views from every room — strong service, score 9.4.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Riverie — formerly the Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai — is a large 271-room resort on an island in the middle of the Kok River, now run by the Katathani group known for its Phuket and Khao Lak resorts. The grounds run to more than 25 rai (about 10 acres), shaded by big trees and lawns. Open any room door and you get the river — something no other resort in Chiang Rai can match. The Deluxe River View rooms come in at 40 sqm, and suites go up to 72 sqm. View and service score 9.5-9.6 on the review sites, and we'd agree.
Food and amenities
Facilities are stacked. There are 2 large outdoor pools, a separate kids' pool, a playground, a Kids Club, the Katathani spa (the massage is very good), a gym and a tennis court. Food runs across 4 restaurants — Peacock, The Square, The Terrace by the river, and Tea Cosy, which does good cake. Staff learn guests' names from day one, which is a big part of why service rates so high.
Location and getting there
The resort sits on the north bank of the Kok River, and a bridge gets you into town in 5-7 minutes. Walk across it and you're at the Night Bazaar. It's a 20-minute drive to the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), 15 minutes to the Black House (Baan Dam), and about an hour and a half to Doi Tung — a solid base for trips up to the Golden Triangle and Mae Sai. Rates start near $80, and in low season the Early Bird deal cuts up to 35% off.
Things to know before booking
This is a big resort, so getting between buildings takes a while — fine if you like room to roam, less ideal if you want everything a few steps away. Rates run higher than the mid-range hotels in town. And rooms fill fast in high season and over long weekends, so book early if your dates are fixed.
Our take
The Riverie by Katathani suits families with kids, couples on a honeymoon, and anyone who wants a full riverside resort as a reward to themselves. The 9.4 we gave it isn't a freebie — it earns the rate. We'd recommend it without hesitation for a slow-travel break in Chiang Rai.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Large 5-star resort on its own island in the Kok River, with more than 25 rai (about 10 acres) of shaded grounds.
- Every room looks out on the river, and early mornings get a thin mist over the water.
- Two large outdoor pools, a separate kids' pool, a riverside garden and 4 restaurants on site.
- Service is professional and warm — staff learn guests' names from day one, and review scores run around 9.4-9.6.
- Close to downtown: a 5-7 minute bridge crossing gets you into town and over to the Night Bazaar.
- It's a big resort, so getting between buildings can take a while.
- Rates start near $80 a night, higher than the mid-range hotels in town.
- Rooms fill fast in high season and over long weekends, so book early.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Chiang Rai
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a river-view room — early mornings get a thin mist over the water that's worth waking up for.
- Send the kids to the big pool in the afternoon, once the sun softens and it cools off.
- Walk across the bridge into town to reach the Night Bazaar on foot.
- Book in low season for the Early Bird rate, which can cut up to 35% off.