There are few locations on this world as particular because the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle. Take it from me, somebody who has been lucky sufficient to expertise most of the world’s most magical locations and luxurious accommodations, this specific property is the crème de la crème. So, what’s it wish to verify in to the 4 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
When 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. These 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.
Earlier than 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 had been true and a lot extra.
In some ways, the expertise looks like a Southeast Asian model of a safari, significantly in recent times as this space in Northern Thailand has grow to be a sanctuary for elephants. There at the moment are 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 study the historical past of in Chiang Rai, the primary township in Thailand’s pocket of the Golden Triangle.
The Lodge: Checking in to the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
When you come all this manner into the depths of the jungle of Northern Thailand, you’re going to wish to keep at the least 4 or 5 nights to take advantage of your efforts. And for those who select to remain on the award-winning 4 Seasons Golden Triangle, imagine me once I say you’ll not wish to go away!
This property has been on my lodge bucketlist for some time now, having first lusted over pictures of the property in journey magazines a few years in the past. However 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.
In comparison with some safari type properties in Africa, the expertise at this lodge shouldn’t be dissimilar. Right here you end up in the course 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 day by day.
The lodge itself is kind of an oasis. There’s a predominant pool space with a number of swimming pools and day beds tucked away for visitor privateness. It is usually right here the place you can find the primary restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners day by day. However do you have to want a extra relaxed ambiance for a sundowner, then you’ll be able to’t miss the prospect to look at sundown at Burma Bar, which is positioned on the different aspect of the property going through Myanmar.
Contained in the Safari Tents
The safari tents are the furthest factor from a tent. For starters, they characteristic polished floorboards and splendid outsized bathtub tubs. And I don’t find out about you, however for me, sleeping in a tent on tenting journeys rising up in Australia doesn’t look even remotely much like this luxury canvas tent!
All the necessities are taken care of – together with a number of doorways and fly screens to stop jungle critters from coming into the room. There are additionally block out canvas home windows which permit for a sleep in do you have to want, nonetheless when the lodge is providing day by day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s just a little onerous to ever wish to lay in mattress.
As I discussed earlier, the mini bar is stocked with snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks day by day. There’s even dried lemon slices in your afternoon gin and tonic, which is greatest loved on the outsized deck out the entrance of your tent.
Contained in the canvas tented rooms you can find your alternative of indoor bathtub or outside bathe, each of that are price having fun with throughout your keep. And take it from me once I say the rooms are so nicely geared up, you’ll by no means wish to go away. However those that do might be rewarded with wildlife encounters like strolling with elephants, or a safari-style sundowner in a classic Land Rover Defender.
The Spa at 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
One of many 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 lodge spa. That is an expertise in itself. The spa is nestled nicely into the forest and takes at the least 5 or ten minutes to stroll to, that means you’ll have full privateness as soon as there. You may be greeted by your therapist and an outsized outside bathtub tub, which may be loved earlier than or after your remedy. The setting is a whole fairytale – wind lazily blowing the bushes within the distance, birds singing, and the addition of a comfortable fan to maintain the humidity at bay.
Breakfast with the elephants
One other spotlight of my keep was the morning ritual having fun with breakfast with the elephants who name the lodge residence. Northern Thailand has grow to be a haven for elephants in Thailand, with many sanctuaries positioned in Chiang Rai and the encompassing villages. And the lodge has made it doable to come across these elephants in a significant approach, studying in regards to the lifetime of elephants whereas feeding them breakfast or watching from afar whilst you eat yours.
Meals and Eating on the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
And naturally, the meals. A lot of you who’ve been following my adventures through the years will know that meals and eating is considered one of my key measures of a lodge. There’s simply a lot to be mentioned about encountering a overseas delicacies, and I actually imagine that on the plate you’ll be able to expertise a lot of a tradition.
Of all of the meals we loved throughout our keep, lunches had been my favorite. Within the warmth of the day there was nothing I felt like greater than a chilly, recent salad. And it by no means ceases to amaze me how recent and flavoursome recent produce is right here in Thailand.
Dinners and Breakfasts had been additionally memorable experiences, with many scrumptious Thai curries on supply for those who fancy one thing native, or a Western menu for those who’re feeling nostalgic for residence.
Over all, this was an unbelievable expertise and will definitely go down in World of Wanderlust historical past as considered one of my favorite accommodations on this planet. That is definitely my high choose of accommodations in Thailand, so remember to add it to your journey listing!
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