This review of the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort is from our recent stay during a trip riding elephants in Thailand and visiting Angkor Wat and other temples in Cambodia. For prior posts in this trip report, please see:
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The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort is a Virtuoso hotel, so TravelSort Clients receive these benefits when booking a qualifying rate:
- Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability (During peak holiday period Dec. 16 – Jan. 6, Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability applies)
- $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests (included in all-inclusive rates)
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort Location, Lobby and Check-In
The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort is located in Chiang Saen, about a 45 minute drive from Chiang Rai Airport (CEI). While the resort does offer to arrange airport transfers for THB 5000 (~$150) roundtrip, we decided to arrange our own for THB 3000 roundtrip (~$90).
We arrived late afternoon, and were ushered inside the lobby. I only later took photos, and prefer the evening ones, with the flickering candles adding a romantic touch:
We were offered a refreshing towel, cup of lemongrass infused tea, and even some delicious coconut sorbet:
Check-in was quite smooth, and we were soon on our way to our Anantara Suite.
Anantara Suite
Anantara Suites are a nice size, at about 690 square feet (64 square meters), and decorated in an elegant Thai style of hardwood floors, silk cushions, and Thai art and teak wood carvings. Our private balcony had a decent view of the valley, although we enjoyed better three country views from the swimming pool area, which I'll describe below.
Straight ahead of us when we entered was the living area, where an extra bed for our son had already been placed.
A fruit welcome amenity was on the coffee table, although since rate plans are all-inclusive, we never had occasion to eat any of it.
On the back wall of the living room area is the mini bar, including an espresso machine. Again, since we were able to request cappuccinos at breakfast (which is the only time we drink espresso during the day) we didn't have occasion to use the machine. I did like that there was shelf stable milk there; while not as good as fresh milk or cream, it's better than coffee creamer, which I've seen in even some otherwise luxury hotels.
The suite is open plan, so there's no wall separating the living room from the bedroom. The King bed was comfortable and we slept well.
The bathroom can similarly be open to the room, or, fortunately, closed by means of wooden doors.
We (and especially the munchkin) liked the enormous soaking tub–it would have been big enough to fit at least three of him, or a couple of adults.
While some might find the elephant theme a bit overdone, I have to say that the towel elephant was pretty cute:
There were dual vanities with his and hers sinks, which we find invaluable when we're all staying in the same room or suite.
And although not a big fan of soaps, since I just find them too messy relative to liquid soap or bath gel, I did like the various scents included in the “soap menu,” especially the Patchouli.
The walk-in shower had shampoo, conditioner and bath gel in ceramic containers (I liked that it's eco-friendly, but I always worry about dropping and breaking them, given how slippery they get when you have shampoo on your hands). The Ylang Ylang and Frangipani shampoo had an especially alluring scent.
And the closet offered both thick and plush bathrobes, as well as thinner cotton “yukata” style robes for all three of us.
Outdoor Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi and Anantara Spa
I think my husband would have spent every minute not spent sleeping or eating by the Anantara Golden Triangle pool, if he could have. The three country view from the infinity pool, or even just from one of the loungers, was beautiful and peaceful, punctuated only occasionally by an elephant's trumpeting in the distance.
During our stay the pool was never crowded, and frequently we were the only ones there, so our son happily swam (he didn't seem to mind how cool the water was) while I mostly enjoyed the warmth of the jacuzzi.
I'm not a big spa-goer, but the Anantara Spa does receive very good feedback for its treatments, and I had a chance to view the airy lobby, as well as a treatment room:
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort Dining
I'll cover our breakfasts and lunch and dinner dining experiences at Sala Mae Nam in a separate post. The resort also offers Italian cuisine at Baan Dhalia, which receives very good reviews, but since it's only open for dinner and we love Thai food, we didn't try it.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp Mahout Experience
A future post will cover our Elephant Camp Mahout Experience, which shouldn't be missed if you're coming all the way to the Anantara Golden Triangle!
The Verdict
The main reason to visit the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort, of course, is for the Mahout Experience with the elephants. But even my husband, who was just getting over an illness and did not participate in the mahout experience, really enjoyed the resort for its views and idyllic setting, especially at the beautiful pool area. Rooms are very comfortably appointed, and the suites are perfect for a family where the children are too young to have their own room. I was pleasantly surprised at the lovely little touches of the welcome sorbet, towel elephant, and candles adding atmosphere to the lobby at night. But the best was yet to come–stay tuned.
If you've stayed at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort, what was your experience?
Related Posts
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Disclosure: I paid for one night of our stay at the Anantara Golden Triangle using a travel professional rate, and received one night complimentary; however the views expressed in this post are my own.
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