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 most of the world’s most magical locations and luxurious inns, this explicit property is the crème de la crème. So, what’s it wish to test 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
Should 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 seems like a Southeast Asian model of a safari, notably in recent times as this space in Northern Thailand has turn 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 countless provide of temples to wander round and be taught 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
Should you come all this manner into the depths of the jungle of Northern Thailand, you’re going to need to keep a minimum of 4 or 5 nights to take advantage of your efforts. And when you select to remain on the award-winning 4 Seasons Golden Triangle, imagine me once I say you’ll not need to depart!
This property has been on my lodge bucketlist for some time now, having first lusted over photographs 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 will not be dissimilar. Right here you end up in the midst 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 each 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 is usually right here the place you will discover the primary restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners each day. However do you have to favor a extra relaxed environment for a sundowner, then you’ll be able to’t miss the possibility to observe sundown at Burma Bar, which is situated on the different aspect of the property dealing with 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 learn 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 favor, nonetheless when the lodge is providing each day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s a bit onerous to ever need to lay in mattress.
As I discussed earlier, the mini bar is stocked with snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks each 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 discover your selection of indoor bathtub or out of doors 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 need to depart. However 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 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 a minimum of 5 or ten minutes to stroll to, which means you should have full privateness as soon as there. You may be greeted by your therapist and an outsized out of doors bathtub tub, which might 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 mushy 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 dwelling. Northern Thailand has turn into a haven for elephants in Thailand, with many sanctuaries situated in Chiang Rai and the encompassing villages. And the lodge has made it doable to come across these elephants in a significant manner, studying concerning 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 over time 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 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 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 when you fancy one thing native, or a Western menu when you’re feeling nostalgic for dwelling.
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 inns on the planet. That is definitely my prime decide of inns in Thailand, so be sure you add it to your journey checklist!
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