Perched on a ridge overlooking the hills of Myanmar and Laos, Anantara’s Golden Triangle Resort is as enchanting as the region in which it is located. Explore the surrounding forest on an elephant or even better spend the day rejuvenating at the acclaimed Anantara Spa. To experience the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort is to savour the unforgettable natural beauty of this evocative corner of Southeast Asia.
This exotic, stylish and supremely cosseting hotel is by many discerned travelers regarded as 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.
When asked guests and reviewers typically point out two main attractions that make this resort stand out:
One being the resort’s 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 drug lords. 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 being 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.
The Spa.
The Spa at The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort is no different in terms of experience and luxury.
The healing traditions of the East translates through the skilled hands of our therapists. Try a massage using ancient Thai herbal ingredients to thoroughly experience the treasures of this region. Defining the resort’s luxury retreat status is its Mandara Spa, a tranquil hideaway where guests can be pampered and soothed using ancient Thai herbal therapies. Skin softening facials, toning body wraps, salt scrubs and a range of blissful aromatic and Thai massages complement a spa cuisine menu that stress fresh, locally-grown produce and healthy juices.
From a private terrace with terrazzo soaking tubs of utmost comfort and luxury, delight in verdant landscape before a signature aromatherapy massage and blended fruit scrub.
Their comprehensive Spa Menu, which true to Anantara standards include everything form Facials, Body Massages and Bath & Steam Rituals to their Signature Treatment to their Packages and The Elemis Treatment, is well worth studying before going there as they do offer a lot and also have special offers at all times.
Many guests have provided very positive reviews of this resort – here are a few of them :
The Smiths from Bristol, UK said :
Stayed for 3 nights in April and had a wonderful time. The location is great overlooking the Mekong River and Elephant reserve – so beautiful and quiet but plenty of excursions available. Service is excellent throughout the hotel from the bar and restaurant staff to reception- nothing is too much trouble and everyone really friendly. Their rooms in Tai traditional style are gorgeous and we loved the infinity pool. We particularly liked the Italian restaurant – the food was good and not too pricey by hotel standards. We are really glad we chose to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary here…
A couple from Detroit, USA also found the resort well-worth their time but did find it quite expensive too :
My main gripe is that things appear almost too smooth and perfect. I almost expect a bit of roughness for such a remote location. Even the longtail boat is marked with a sleek Anantara logo (and c’mon…do you really have to make people wear the ridiculous neon orange life jackets?). We only stayed two nights…which was perfect. It was just enough time to ride the elephants, do some yoga, and take the boat to Chiang Saen and Laos.
The pricing for all activities is expensive (as is the food), but I guess that’s what happens when your options are pretty limited. Overall, we’re very happy to have gone to the region and stayed at the Anantara Golden Triangle.
Finally a couple from Palo Alto, California, USA had these comments about their short stay at the resort :
My husband and I spent three nights at the Anantara on our honeymoon over New Year’s Eve and we had an amazing experience! The elephants are wonderful – we watched them bathe in the river at dawn and did mahout training, and would highly recommend both experiences. The hotel also outdid itself with the New Year’s Eve extravaganza – they gave everyone at the resort Thai costumes to wear, had an elephant parade with Thai dancers, a blessing by village elders, a beautiful cocktail hour with hors d’oerves, a great show of Thai dancers during dinner, fireworks, and to cap it off, each guest got to light a floating lantern at the end of the night.
The spa was perfectly relaxing, the resort is magical (esp at night when all the candles are lit), and the suite was top-notch.
The manager and staff were also incredible – full stop.
Have a look at one happy Swedish guest’s video from his stay at this amazing resort below :
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG4qTrFsW5Q
Contact details:
Anantara Golden Triangle Resort
229 Moo 1, Chiang Saen
Chiang Rai 57150
Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 5378 4084
Fax: +66 (0) 5378 4090
Email: goldentriangle@anantara.com