Anantara Golden Triangle

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Near Chiang Rai, north Thailand

Laid-back, luxurious resort in the heart of the mysterious Golden Triangle – where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet – with an award-winning elephant camp

Reviewed by Rosanna de Lisle
Additional photos by Ann Baldwin

Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand, Overview

ANANTARA GOLDEN TRIANGLE - REVIEW

This exotic, stylish and supremely cosseting hotel is one of the best 5-star resorts in Asia, easily up there with the Amans and One&Onlys in terms of frangipani garlands, cold flannels and staff-to-rooms ratio (198:77). But 2 things make it truly distinctive.

One is its location: at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, in Thailand but only a mile from Burma and Laos. 30 years ago, this was serious no-go territory: the Golden Triangle produced most of the world’s opium and was ruled by druglords. Since then, a concerted clean-up, initiated by the Thai royal family, has opened the region to visitors, who are drawn as much by its mysterious past – this was Lanna Thai, “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields” – as its mountainous and riverine landscapes. The second distinction is an elephant camp, where beasts rescued from the streets of Chiang Mai and Bangkok now offer rides through the forest; braver guests can even train as mahouts. It's such a hit that 30% of guests, from honeymooners to families, come principally to spend time with these gentle giants.

HIGHS

The award-winning elephant camp, which sets standards in mahout training and elephant conservation around the world
The option of private dining, with a chef cooking to order, at a table set in a rice paddy, or on a ridge with views over the entire Golden Triangle
The infinity pool, which seems to merge into the Mekong valley
The dramatic architecture and idyllic gardens, pools and terraces, plus 160 acres of grassland, riverbank and bamboo forest, which guests can explore on foot, bike or elephant

LOWS

In-room internet access is expensive and, in my case, glitch-prone
Yoga classes, when not held on the terrace, happen in a rather functional, unconducive ballroom
For all its striking design, lovely location, creature comforts and excellent service, this is very much a resort, and the scale of the place won’t appeal to those who like their hotels small, quirky and homespun

Print Whole Report

Name	Anantara Golden Triangle	Location	near Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai & North
Type	Spa resort & Elephant camp: 77 rooms	Country	Thailand
Price Guide	Dbl: US$235-625, BB	Open	All year


DISTANCES	Airport: 60km	Nearest Shops: 2km	Nearest restaurant: 13km	Beach: 800km