Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

We came here the last time we were in Thailand in 2023 and just had to come back. Our tour company provide the transfer from Chang Rai Airport, c. 1 hours drive. On arrival you are warmly greeted, including a drum beating welcome. You are then taken to the reception were they were meticulous in their dealings with us. We had a room very much like last time to the left of the main building. The room was huge and there was a lovely welcome layout on the bed. The room had a large oval shaped bath and a separate shower. There was plenty of seating in the room & I think there was a TV as well, there was tea and coffee making plus a mini bar. There are two sets of sliding doors leading out on to the balcony. They both have sliding screens to prevent insects getting in so you can have fresh air without insects. There are overhead fans and air con if needed. The balcony has two cushioned seating or laying areas, with view of Myanmar and Laos, the river, trees and grassland. So to one of the more important areas of the hotel, the bar, this has both inside and outside seating, although the latter has 4 tables. As well as drinks, there is a menu for food, which we used at lunchtime. There was a young lady serving us several times and I forgot to write her name down. All I know is she had 13 cats and as we had 3 cats, loosing 1 just before our trip, there as a considerable repour here, above the otherwise totally brilliant staff who we came in to contact with. With both Breakfast and Dinner there was a choice of buffet, menu or both! The food was excellent and if, like me, you are not a fan of hot spicy food you have no worries here at all. The restaurant is covered but there are no windows, but heating stands are available is you need them, which would mainly apply if you were on one of the tables near to the open area. There are a number of activities available, most at no cost and one activity per person per night. Some of these involve the elephants, as mentioned in my previous review we have done quite a bit with elephants in India and Sir Lanca so this was not for us. “Management” went for a couple of massages and we both went on boat ride on the Mekong. As with the last time, you cross the border in to Myanmar and Laos so if you want to tick a couple of countries off the try this. It was supposed to be 45 minutes but was in fact 1 hour 15 minutes, not that we were complaining of course. Form the rear of our room there is track which leads straight in to the jungle, lots of birds here, but put on insect repellent and take some insect bite cream. We only stayed here 3 nights rather than the 4 last time. If I was asked by someone that they could teleport me to anywhere in the world then this would be one place I would choose.

Arriving by long tail boat hosted by the lovely Tira, welcomed by elephants, greeted by very friendly and professional staff the start of an amazing stay , great food and truly beautiful hotel . If ever you are lucky enough to be able to go here it is an amazing experience. Special thank you to the entire Staff!!

Very unique place. Combined with comfort of 5* Anantara hoyels experience, caring staff and elephants onsite, what else can you ask for? We stayed at 3 countries view room with a balcony to enjoy the views. Food was various and excellent both local and western. Activities like walking with elephants are very special. Highly recommend!

Great experience. Superb experience options. Excellent location. Exorbitant alcohol prices. Professional and polite staff.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Anandara. We’ve visited several Asian countries in the past including Vietnam and a bit of Cambodia. Each is truly unique and Anandara epitomizes some of the very special qualities of Thailand. First, the cultural aesthetics really stand out with gorgeous Buddhist shrines, temples and ruins. The appreciation for and emphasis on all that is pleasing to the eye extends to everything at this resort including rooms, public areas, gardens, and the food presentation. The standards are very high in all ways. The staff can’t do enough for their guests and are just delightful. This applies in general and for each of our “adventures”. We had a terrific highly knowledgeable guide for the local tour; a fun cooking class chef who gave us a delicious and very worthwhile experience; another chef and crew whose services made the sunset dinner in the trees memorable; fabulous massages at the spa (get the “Signature” massage and foot massage); and a wonderfully unique walk with the elephants. One caution: the sky bike is quite strenuous as there is just one set of pedals to move 2 people about 300 meters, requiring strength and endurance, particularly in the heat of the day. Nonetheless, the staff person for this was also delightful. Food a drinks are all prepared with skill and care. In sum, an enthusiastic 5 out of 5!