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 lots of the world’s most magical locations and luxurious inns, this specific property is the crème de la crème. So, what’s it wish to test in to the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle? After my current 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 about the area, the Golden Triangle is a small pocket the place three neighbouring nations collide on the Ruak and Mekong rivers. These nations 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 seems like a Southeast Asian model of a safari, significantly in recent times as this space in Northern Thailand has turn into 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 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 not less than 4 or 5 nights to benefit from your efforts. And in the event you select to remain on the award-winning 4 Seasons Golden Triangle, consider me once I say you’ll not wish to depart!
This property has been on my lodge bucketlist for some time now, having first lusted over photos 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 fashion properties in Africa, the expertise at this lodge is just not dissimilar. Right here you end up in the midst of the jungle, removed from civilisation, but additionally by no means removed from life’s trendy 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 principal pool space with a number of swimming pools and day beds tucked away for visitor privateness. Additionally it is right here the place you will see the principle restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners day by day. However must you want a extra relaxed ambiance for a sundowner, then you’ll be able to’t miss the possibility to observe 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 function polished floorboards and opulent 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!
The entire 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 must you want, nevertheless when the lodge is providing day by day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s a bit of exhausting 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 finest loved on the outsized deck out the entrance of your tent.
Contained in the canvas tented rooms you will see your selection of indoor bathtub or outside bathe, each of that are value having fun with throughout your keep. And take it from me once I say the rooms are so effectively outfitted, you’ll by no means wish to depart. However those that do will likely 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 previous lodge spa. That is an expertise in itself. The spa is nestled effectively into the forest and takes not less than 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 therapy. The setting is an entire fairytale – wind lazily blowing the timber 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 house. Northern Thailand has turn into a haven for elephants in Thailand, with many sanctuaries positioned in Chiang Rai and the encompassing villages. And the lodge has made it attainable to come across these elephants in a significant method, studying in regards to the lifetime of elephants whereas feeding them breakfast or watching from afar when you eat yours.
Meals and Eating on the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
And naturally, the meals. Lots of you who’ve been following my adventures through the years will know that meals and eating is one in every of my key measures of a lodge. There’s simply a lot to be stated about encountering a overseas delicacies, and I actually consider 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, 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 had been additionally memorable experiences, with many scrumptious Thai curries on provide in the event you fancy one thing native, or a Western menu in the event you’re feeling nostalgic for house.
Over all, this was an unimaginable expertise and will definitely go down in World of Wanderlust historical past as one in every of my favorite inns on this planet. That is actually my high choose of inns in Thailand, so remember to add it to your journey listing!
See extra on Instagram.