HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle
For lovers of the safari lodge experience, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort nails it on a Southeast Asian incarnation of a luxury safari experience. With 61 rooms and suites set amidst 160 acres of verdant jungle, you’ll immediately be transported to a place of serenity and peace. Add a fabulous spa, included journeys, wonderful cuisine, and spectacular sunsets to the mix for a truly memorable escape.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

DESTINATION: GOLDEN TRIANGLE 

Once infamous for its role in the opium trade, the Golden Triangle – marked by the border of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos – has seen its economic strengths shift dramatically in recent decades. Now the go-to destination for those in search of elephant-focused experiences, the region is home to a sizeable Asian elephant population, allowing guests to boost their wildlife education and have an opportunity to observe elephants in their natural habitat. The Hall of Opium is a museum worth visiting to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s history, and the resort-hosted adventure offerings will round out your trip with the best in destination immersion. 

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna
HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort offers a selection of rooms and suites, with suites offering roughly twice the space of the rooms. With sweeping views of the resort and jungle (and elephants!) below, they’re upping the ante on the concept of a room with a view. We enjoyed a Three Country View Suite, which offers the most spectacular vistas along with epic sunrises from our balcony. Rooms and suites go beyond the expected with beautiful touches like inspirational coffee table books and reusable water canteens to take home with you. All guests have access to a stunning infinity pool that overlooks the jungle, plus a fitness center and a Muay Thai boxing facility. For early risers, get out and enjoy a trail walk through the jungle where you’ll spot some elephants grazing with their mahouts in the early morning mist. 

HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle
The bedroom portion of our suite
HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle Review
The living area of our suite

The pleasure of a stay at Anantara goes far beyond the room and grounds though so sharing glowing feedback about the suite alone does little to convey the jaw-dropping quality of the stay. Choosing the ‘Discovery’ package through the hotel provides an all-inclusive offering that encompasses not only food and drink (more on that below) but also a daily experience of your choice. If you’re the type of traveler who wants to try to pack in more than one experience per day, talk with the staff about adding on additional offerings for a fee. Experiences run the gamut, catering for a range of abilities and interests. Wondering which offering is right for you? Read about our experience on the Three Country Tour visiting Myanmar and our Elephant Learning Experience and ‘Walking with Giants’ tour.

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna
HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle

I’ve written on the topic of all-inclusive hotels and how they’re not all created equal. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is a perfect example of an all-inclusive done right. As is the case with remote lodges, the all-inclusive ‘Discovery’ package is the best choice for visitors, offering a package that includes meals and drinks, including a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. The food is excellent from start to finish, with a breakfast spread that includes a hearty buffet and a la carte offerings that represent Western and local cuisine. For dinner, guests choose from Thai or Italian options, though we could never quite pull ourselves away from eating local while in the region. The menu is substantial, with a wide variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, including well-marked options for vegetarians. I adored the Kao Soy, a Northern Thai specialty, while Scott raved about the Jin Som, a dish of sour pork and salty preserved eggs, which is a great option for the adventurous eaters in the bunch. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Thai wines, produced by Monsoon vineyards – they offer a rosé, a Sauvignon blanc-style white, and a Shiraz, all of which are surprisingly good.

HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Hotel Bristol, Vienna

HOTEL INSIDER: Anantara Golden Triangle

Planning your getaway to the Golden Triangle in Thailand? Here’s some inspiration for your trip:

?? Book at Anantara Golden Triangle Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.
THE WANDERLUST EFFECT: HOTEL INSIDER

Number of Rooms: 61 rooms and suites
Cost Per Night: From $871/night all-inclusive
Must-Try Eats & Drinks: Koi Soy, a Northern Thai specialty; plus Thai wine and whiskey
Hotel Highlights: Wonderfully thoughtful elephant experiences, plus spectacular views
Worth the Investment? Yes, a magical experience that’s once-in-a-lifetime for many; worthy of the honeymoon list!

〰️ Find more inspiration in my Hotel Insider series 〰️

More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.