Anantara Golden Triangle

Rooms

There are 40 Deluxe 3 Country View Rooms, 6 Anantara 3 Country View Family Suites and 15 Anantara 3 Country View Suites, housed in 2 wings either side of the temple-like main building. Paths wind through carefully planted tropical foliage to semi-external staircases which in turn lead to just a few rooms: there are no long, institutional corridors and consequently you’re largely unaware of your neighbours.

All rooms and suites fuse traditional and contemporary Thai design, with gleaming teakwood floors, locally woven cottons and silks and a harmonious mix of old (or repro) and modern furniture. Beds are kingsize (twins are available on request) and supremely comfortable - ours, in an Anantara Suite, had a pillowtop mattress. Colours are understated - natural tones with the odd dash of ochre or burnt sienna - so as not to argue with the views of the valley unfurling below your window. Glass doors lead to a balcony with a daybed cantilevered from the wooden structure like a giant windowbox. Suites are larger than the rooms, and have a distinct sitting area with a sofa and 2 armchairs. But we’d recommend you gave the Anantara Suites a miss, and opt for one of the Country View Rooms or Suites, as the view is simply breath-taking, how often can you sit in one spot overlooking 3 different and fascinating countries (Thaliland, Laos and Burma)?

Bathrooms are large and semi-open-plan, with twin basins and terrazzo baths big enough for 2. In the rooms, the bath is rectangular with shower overhead; suites have separate showers and oval tubs filled with flowers on arrival. There’s a wooden bookrest, a stack of handtowels deftly arranged to look like an elephant and if the petals aren’t soothing enough, you can add a tea infusion to the water.

Mod-cons are as standard; the minibar runs to 2 cabinets, for hot and cold drinks respectively, and fruit is replaced daily. TV and hi-fi, including an iPod connection, are housed in a wooden cupboard, which swivels to face either bed or sofa. All rooms have fans as well as air-conditioning.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

There are 2 restaurants, Sala Mae Nam, named after the surrounding mountain range, and Baan Dahlia, a smaller, more intimate restaurant with the atmosphere of a wine cellar.

Sala Mae Nam serves a mouth-watering array of Thai dishes such as Naem Chiang Rai (Chiang Rai sausages), Nor Oua (deep-fried young bamboo shoots stuffed with minced pork), Gai Ob Samliam Thong Kum (roasted marinated chicken with Thai herbs and spices) and Gaeng Hung Lay (traditional northern-style spare ribs served in a spicy curry sauce). Staff are happy to advise and recommend food.

In contrast, Baan Dahlia’s menu is decidedly Western, with buffalo mozzarella from Italy, New Zealand lamb chops and Margaret River Wagyu beef (from Western Australia). In a bid to offset these food miles, the resort sources many of its other ingredients from local farms and its own kitchen garden.

The Elephant Bar and Opium Terrace serves light meals alongside signature cocktails; particularly recommended is the Street Hawker, a vodka martini with mango nectar, lime juice, coriander and red chilli.

Private dining is available (nicknamed Dining by Design) with chefs cooking to order in a choice of several enchanting locations, from a rice paddy to a ridge with views over the entire Golden Triangle. A favourite spot is the terrace overlooking the baby elephant sanctuary, understandably so!

Breakfast is a huge international buffet served in Sala Mae Nam - though it’s tastefully done without a bain-marie in sight. An array of terracotta pots holds everything from a full English to Dim Sum and Miso soup. Eggs are cooked to order, and the staff remember how you like your coffee. Try to get a table on the terrace, as a baby elephant may make an appearance for a morning cuddle and snack (usually between 8.30-9am).

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Many guests come for the elephant camp, supported by sister charity, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. Home to recovering street-rescues, babies and new mothers, all guests are welcome to visit the camp and see the elephants feeding and bathing (8am-2pm daily). Other elephant related activities include an elephant learning experience, in which you'll discover their biology and work alongside the vet, washing and playing with the calves
  
  
• The Hall of Opium Museum, opposite the resort’s gates, offers a fascinating exposition of the Golden Triangle’s infamous history (included as one of the daily complimentary activities)
  
  
• The Anantara Spa with a range of beauty treatments, Ayurveda and massages (including a special mahout massage to straighten you out after clenching thigh muscles you didn't know you had), all delivered in stylish suites with outdoor tubs and chill-out balconies
  
  
• Shopping and sightseeing in Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom (about 30 minutes by car), or in Chiang Rai, the provincial capital (an hour’s drive away)
  
  
• Go on an excursion into the hills to see colourful hilltribe villages, wonderful handicrafts, flower plantations and great views
  
  
• Take walks along nature trails (with or without a guide) and keep your eyes peeled for the vast array of tropical birds
  
  
• Play golf at Santiburi Golf Course (70km away) and Waterford Valley (50km)
  
  
• Swim in the infinity pool - where else can you float around while looking over 2 rivers and 3 countries?
  
  
• Take a trip along the Mekong River in longtail boats, continuing into Laos and all the way to Luang Prabang - great if you have 3 days to spare

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cooking classes
• Golf
• Mountain biking
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Table tennis
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

This resort is well suited to adventurous children who like being outdoors. As for adult guests, the elephant camp is the main draw, and children of any age are welcome to observe the elephants.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All of the rooms and suites can accommodate an extra bed or a baby cot. If you have older kids, book 2 connecting Deluxe 3 Country View Rooms which have a shared balcony (request on enquiry).

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 60km
• Hospital: 12km
• Nearest shop (for nappies, baby food and toys): 2km from resort

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The resort is in northern Thailand, overlooking the Mekong river and a short distance from the borders with Laos and Burma (Myanmar). The nearest big town is Chiang Rai (60km), the nearest smaller town is Chiang Saen (13km).

By Air:
The closest airport is Chiang Rai (60km), with frequent flights from Bangkok. The nearest international airport is Chiang Mai (260km), which is about 4 hours' drive away and has flights from neighbouring countries - but most visitors with time pressure would choose to fly from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai rather than drive.

From the Airport
The hotel offer complimentary round trip transfers from Chiang Rai Airport, so it is best to arrive here.

By River:
It is possible to arrive via a river cruise along Mekong from Luang Prabang in Laos, arriving at Chiang Saen, where you will be met by a car and driver. It is also possible to continue up the Mekong into the Golden Triangle, to a jetty where the hotel will transfer guests to limousines or elephants for the last mile of the journey. Check destinations with your cruise operator.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com

More on getting to Thailand (international flights) and getting around