Anantara Golden Triangle Resort
The northern part of Thailand borders with Myanmar and Laos and in this corner of the world lies the Golden Triangle, a magical rural area where Anantara’s Golden Triangle hotel lies, complete with one of the world’s most spearheading Elephant Camps.
In a world which is becoming thankfully more sensitive to elephant tourism, Anantara’s Elephant Camp is continually applauded for the work that is done there to protect and save elephants that are brought in from the streets, where they are brutally forced to beg or perform.
These gentle giants now live happily in the 1,200 hectare resort, where they live alongside their faithful mahouts, who tend to them daily – tasks of which include feeding them and taking them down to the river for frequent baths to keep the eles hydrated. Elephants are incredible creatures, each with distinct personalities and it is so nice to see their eyes shining cheekily as they happily go about their new lives at Anantara’s Elephant Camp. The mahout’s wives keep busy by spinning silk and creating fabulous scarves and souvenirs.
Mahout wives at work
The hotel is designed exquisitely with its elephants heritage peppered throughout. Stay in one of the 3 Country View rooms to wake up to views of Myanmar and Laos across the river and walk up to the top of the hill to lay gift to the Spirit House and see a glorious view of the Mekong River. For a really spectacular arrival, guests can even choose to arrive by boat, beginning their journey on the river and then being picked up at Anantara’s dock and taken up to the hotel.
Make sure to pay visit to the Anantara Spa which enjoys natural light flooding through its ceiling to floor windows. The Signature Massage is like a gift from Buddha after a long journey getting there.
Fancy a dip?
There are two dining options – Sala Mae Nam, serving up delicious, authentic Thai food and also Baan Dhalia, a fine dining Italian restaurant, where signatures dished are whipped up at the table….this includes a Caesar salad spun in an ice bowl and spaghetti prepared in a Gran Padano wheel!
Baan Dhalia Table Cooking
Baan Dhalia Caesar Salad
Cooking in a cheese wheel
An aspect of the Golden Triangle’s turbulent history is its part in the Opium Years, when it was one of the world’s main producers. This troubling time is carefully and thoughtfully curated in the Hall of Opium, funded by the Thai Royal Family and located across the road from the Anantara. All Anantara guests are given a ticket as part of their stay and are very much recommended.
Nightly rates at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort start from £700 on an all-inclusive basis.
