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 lodges, this explicit property is the crème de la crème. So, what’s it prefer 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
For those who 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, significantly lately 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, academic method.
There’s additionally a seemingly limitless 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
For those who 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 for those who 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 type properties in Africa, the expertise at this lodge isn’t 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 every day.
The lodge itself is sort of an oasis. There’s a principal pool space with a number of swimming pools and day beds tucked away for visitor privateness. It’s also right here the place one can find the primary restaurant, serving breakfast lunch and dinners every day. However do you have to favor a extra relaxed environment for a sundowner, then you may’t miss the possibility to observe sundown at Burma Bar, which is situated on the different facet 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 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!
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 do you have to favor, nonetheless when the lodge is providing every day breakfast elephant feeding on the restaurant, it’s a bit exhausting to ever need to lay in mattress.
As I discussed earlier, the mini bar is stocked with snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks every day. There’s even dried lemon slices on 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 one can find your selection of indoor bathtub or out of doors bathe, each of that are value having fun with throughout your keep. And take it from me once I say the rooms are so properly outfitted, you’ll by no means need to depart. However those that do can 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 previous lodge spa. That is an expertise in itself. The spa is nestled properly 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 can 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 delicate 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 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 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 considered one of my key measures of a lodge. There’s simply a lot to be mentioned about encountering a international delicacies, and I actually imagine that on the plate you may 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 supply for those who fancy one thing native, or a Western menu for those who’re feeling nostalgic for dwelling.
Over all, this was an unbelievable expertise and will definitely go down in World of Wanderlust historical past as considered one of my favorite lodges on the planet. That is definitely my prime decide of lodges in Thailand, so make sure to add it to your journey checklist!
