Elephants And Epic Views

Hotels are divided into four types. 

Memorably bad (25%). 

Forgettable and never returned to (65%). 

Ones with amazing single features (9%). 

And then that most rare of breeds - where everything combines to create a truly tremendous experience (1%).

And that my friends is The Anantara Golden Triangle. 

Something about this hotel rises from the sum of many good parts into being a hotel that ranks as great.

The pool ranks in our top ten Infinity pools not because of design or poolside esthetic but because it overlooks Thailand, Myanmar and Laos in one view. Oh and did I mention the elephants trumpeting happily in the distance.

The dining is varied with both a Western and Thai menu and served with a deftness of style that again just strikes that perfect balance. Neither stuffy nor casual it hits the spot.

The Spa again is terrific - just what you would expect from any high class hotel - but with the geckos shrieking rises a notch higher.

And then there's the activities - and none more truly epic than the elephant experiences. Each one saved from a life of trekking companies, circus horrors or logging and each recovering slowly from the trauma of bad treatment. Indeed the Male 50 year old still has his abscesses drained daily after 12 years. He's almost healed by the daily love given to him by all the staff at the elephant camp. The three country tour was also spectacular.

And then last but not least the staff. To Tuk, Udon and his Harry Potter tricks through to Anan the guide and so many more whose names we didn't catch. Thank you.

Ps....the suites are terrific as well.