Northern Exposure

Style Watch: Rattan Revolution Diversions: All Talk Food: Season to Taste Outdoors: Comfy Camping

Heard of the Lanna revival? If you're bound for Thailand's lush north, you won't be able to escape this architectural fad, which celebrates the building styles of the Lanna civilizationa 14th and 15th century society that encompassed northern Thailand, part of Laos and what are now the Shan States of Burma.

Lanna-inspired hotels and resorts are popping up like mushrooms in the northernmost provinces. Ultra-chic retreats like the Rachamanka and Tamarind Village have been booked solid in recent months. And now the soft-opened Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai hotel, tel: (66-53) 888 888, is set to...