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 lodges, 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
In case you aren’t already aware of 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 have been true and a lot extra.
In some ways, the expertise looks 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 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 primary township in Thailand’s pocket of the Golden Triangle.
The Lodge: Checking in to the 4 Seasons Golden Triangle
In case 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 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 go away!
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 type 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 each day.
The lodge itself is sort of an oasis. There’s a major pool space with a number of swimming pools and day beds tucked away for visitor privateness. It’s also right here the place you will see that the primary restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners each day. However must you desire a extra relaxed environment for a sundowner, then you possibly can’t miss the prospect 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 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 forestall jungle critters from coming into the room. There are additionally block out canvas home windows which permit for a sleep in must you desire, nonetheless when the lodge is providing each 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 each 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 will see that your alternative 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 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 opulent 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 effectively into the forest and takes at the least 5 or ten minutes to stroll to, which means you should have full privateness as soon as there. You’ll be greeted by your therapist and an outsized outside bathtub tub, which will be loved earlier than or after your remedy. The setting is an entire fairytale – wind lazily blowing the bushes within the distance, birds singing, and the addition of a tender 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 encompassing villages. And the lodge has made it doable to come across these elephants in a significant approach, studying concerning 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 over time will know that meals and eating is certainly one of my key measures of a lodge. There’s simply a lot to be mentioned about encountering a overseas delicacies, and I really consider that on the plate you possibly can 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, 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 have 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 certainly one of my favorite lodges on this planet. That is definitely my prime choose of lodges in Thailand, so you should definitely add it to your journey record!
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