There are few locations on this world as particular because the Four Seasons Golden Triangle. Take it from me, somebody who has been lucky sufficient to expertise lots of the world’s most magical locations and luxurious lodges, this specific property is the crème de la crème. So, what’s it wish to test in to the Four Seasons Golden Triangle? After my latest go to, I can inform you precisely what to anticipate from this luxury getaway in Thailand, overlooking Myanmar and Laos.
The Golden Triangle
If you aren’t already aware of the area, the Golden Triangle is a small pocket the place three neighbouring international locations collide on the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Those international locations are Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Three extraordinarily distinctive cultures that share additionally some similarities, making this a really distinctive place to go to.
Before I visited the Golden Triangle, I had little clue what to anticipate. I used to be picturing a jungle-like backdrop with elephants roaming within the distance, with humid days and epic sunsets. All of those have been true and a lot extra.
In some ways, the expertise seems like a Southeast Asian model of a safari, significantly in recent times as this space in Northern Thailand has turn out to be a sanctuary for elephants. There are actually many elephant sanctuaries within the space, in addition to a small handful of luxurious properties providing elephant engagement in a respectful, instructional method.
There’s additionally a seemingly countless provide of temples to wander round and be taught the historical past of in Chiang Rai, the principle township in Thailand’s pocket of the Golden Triangle.
The Lodge: Checking in to the Four Seasons Golden Triangle
If you come all this manner into the depths of the jungle of Northern Thailand, you’re going to need to keep no less than 4 or 5 nights to benefit from your efforts. And in case you select to remain on the award-winning Four Seasons Golden Triangle, consider me after I say you’ll not need to go away!
This property has been on my resort bucketlist for some time now, having first lusted over photos of the property in journey magazines a few years in the past. But with its remoted location removed from something, it wasn’t till I used to be planning a bigger journey all through Thailand that it made sense to go to.
Compared to some safari model properties in Africa, the expertise at this lodge isn’t dissimilar. Here you end up in the midst of the jungle, removed from civilisation, but in addition by no means removed from life’s fashionable luxuries. An all-inclusive mini bar, for starters, which is replenished every day.
The lodge itself is kind of an oasis. There’s a primary pool space with a number of swimming pools and day beds tucked away for visitor privateness. It can also be right here the place you’ll find the principle restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners every day. But do you have to desire a extra relaxed environment for a sundowner, then you may’t miss the prospect to look at sundown at Burma Bar, which is situated on the different facet of the property dealing with Myanmar.
Inside the Safari Tents
The safari tents are the furthest factor from a tent. For starters, they characteristic polished floorboards and opulent outsized bathtub tubs. And I don’t learn about you, however for me, sleeping in a tent on tenting journeys rising up in Australia doesn’t look even remotely just like this luxury canvas tent!
All of the necessities are taken care of – together with a number of doorways and fly screens to forestall jungle critters from getting into the room. There are additionally block out canvas home windows which permit for a sleep in do you have to desire, nevertheless when the lodge is providing every day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s somewhat exhausting to ever need to lay in mattress.
As I discussed earlier, the mini bar is stocked with snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks every day. There’s even dried lemon slices to your afternoon gin and tonic, which is greatest loved on the outsized deck out the entrance of your tent.
Inside the canvas tented rooms you’ll find your selection of indoor bathtub or out of doors bathe, each of that are value having fun with throughout your keep. And take it from me after I say the rooms are so effectively outfitted, you’ll by no means need to go away. But those that do will probably be rewarded with wildlife encounters like strolling with elephants, or a safari-style sundowner in a classic Land Rover Defender.
The Spa at Four Seasons Golden Triangle
One of the highlights of my keep (although there have been many), was an expensive afternoon on the spa for an indulgent 90-minute full physique therapeutic massage. This isn’t any outdated resort spa. This is an expertise in itself. The spa is nestled effectively into the forest and takes no less than 5 or ten minutes to stroll to, which means you’ll have full privateness as soon as there. You will probably be greeted by your therapist and an outsized out of doors bathtub tub, which will be loved earlier than or after your therapy. The setting is an entire fairytale – wind lazily blowing the bushes within the distance, birds singing, and the addition of a smooth fan to maintain the humidity at bay.
Breakfast with the elephants
Another spotlight of my keep was the morning ritual having fun with breakfast with the elephants who name the lodge residence. Northern Thailand has turn out to be a haven for elephants in Thailand, with many sanctuaries situated in Chiang Rai and the encircling villages. And the lodge has made it potential to come across these elephants in a significant approach, studying concerning the lifetime of elephants whereas feeding them breakfast or watching from afar whilst you eat yours.
Food and Dining on the Four Seasons Golden Triangle
And after all, the meals. Many of you who’ve been following my adventures over time will know that meals and eating is one in every of my key measures of a resort. There’s simply a lot to be stated about encountering a international delicacies, and I really consider that on the plate you may expertise a lot of a tradition.
Of all of the meals we loved throughout our keep, lunches have been my favorite. In the warmth of the day there was nothing I felt like greater than a chilly, contemporary salad. And it by no means ceases to amaze me how contemporary and flavoursome contemporary produce is right here in Thailand.
Dinners and Breakfasts have been additionally memorable experiences, with many scrumptious Thai curries on supply in case you fancy one thing native, or a Western menu in case you’re feeling nostalgic for residence.
Over all, this was an unbelievable expertise and will definitely go down in World of Wanderlust historical past as one in every of my favorite lodges on the planet. This is definitely my prime decide of lodges in Thailand, so you should definitely add it to your journey listing!
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