Checking In to the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
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 examine in to the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle? After my latest go to, I can let you know precisely what to anticipate from this luxury getaway in Thailand, overlooking Myanmar and Laos.
The Golden Triangle
If you happen to aren’t already aware about 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 have been true and a lot extra.
In some ways, the expertise seems like a Southeast Asian model of a safari, notably in recent times as this space in Northern Thailand has change into 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, academic method.
There’s additionally a seemingly infinite 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
If you happen to come all this fashion into the depths of the jungle of Northern Thailand, you’re going to need to keep at the least 4 or 5 nights to take advantage of your efforts. And if you happen to select to remain on the award-winning 4 Seasons Golden Triangle, imagine me once 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 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 model 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 additionally 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’s also right here the place you can find the primary restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners day by day. However do you have to choose 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 situated 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 just 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 choose, nonetheless when the lodge is providing day by day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s a little bit arduous to ever need 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 to 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 selection 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 effectively outfitted, you’ll by no means need to go away. However those that do shall 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 resort spa. That is an expertise in itself. The spa is nestled effectively into the forest and takes at the least 5 or ten minutes to stroll to, which means you’ll have full privateness as soon as there. You may be greeted by your therapist and an outsized outside bathtub tub, which could be loved earlier than or after your remedy. The setting is a whole 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 change into a haven for elephants in Thailand, with many sanctuaries situated in Chiang Rai and the encircling villages. And the lodge has made it attainable to come across these elephants in a significant manner, 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 one in every of my key measures of a resort. There’s simply a lot to be mentioned about encountering a international delicacies, and I really 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 have 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 have been additionally memorable experiences, with many scrumptious Thai curries on provide if you happen to fancy one thing native, or a Western menu if you happen to’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 lodges on this planet. That is definitely my prime choose of lodges in Thailand, so you’ll want to add it to your journey listing!
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