Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand Reviewed in 2025

What to Do

The elephants are the real sell at this jungle resort, but we also love the opportunity to immerse ourselves in northern Thai culture. The all-inclusive package includes a choice of elephant experience, a spa treatment, a yoga or Pilates class, or a cooking lesson, so you can mix and match.

The Elephant Camp is the crown jewel of Anantara Golden Triangle and with good reason. Observe and connect with these gentle giants in their natural habitat, all the while knowing that you are helping protect and conserve their population by supporting the elephant caretakers’ work. Some elephant experiences are included as an activity choice in the all-inclusive package, and others may be added to your stay.

An overnight Jungle Bubble experience is an absolute must (though it’s an additional cost), giving you a chance to observe the Thai elephants up close and personal in their natural habitat, while you are nestled in air-conditioned, fully furnished luxury. Read more about the experience under the Room Guide below.

Also at the resort, you can slip away to the infinity pool or fitness center, or take a Muay Thai kickboxing class. Prefer something gentler? Try a one-on-one Hatha yoga session. The resort spa is a tranquil space with a three-story, open-air pavilion that greets you as you arrive for your treatment. A wide range of therapies includes nourishing milk baths for two, massages, and mindfulness sessions, all drawn from centuries of northern Thai wellness traditions and natural wisdom and using indigenous ingredients. All-inclusive packages include several choices of body treatments, massages, facials, and signature spa experiences (a spa treatment is among the choices of activity per night of your stay).

Take time to explore the ruins of lost cities that have been reclaimed by the lush jungle. You can zip through the countryside in a Royal Enfield Classic 500 sidecar, jump in a tuk-tuk, or take a longtail boat ride on the Ruak River to discover the ancient Lanna Kingdom capital of Chiang Saen and the surrounding countryside. Bargain for souvenirs at the market in Mae Sai on the Myanmar border. Visit historic temples. Venture to tea, coffee, and fruit plantations in Doi Mae Salong.

What to Eat & Drink

The all-inclusive stay at Anantara Golden Triangle includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Sala Mae Nam Restaurant or Elephant Bar & Opium Terrace. In addition to these options, dining is available for an extra charge at Baan Dahlia. Private dining experiences can also be arranged for an added cost.

At Sala Mae Nam Restaurant, enjoy misty morning buffet breakfasts of international favorites, tropical fruits, and live cooking sessions. When you return for lunch or dinner, you’ll have an array of northern Thai specialties to choose from, with street-food favorites, all sourced from fresh, organic ingredients.

Elephant Bar & Opium Terrace draws from Chiang Rai’s history and offers multiple seating options, depending on your mood. Choose from the al fresco pavilion, gather by the roaring fireplace, or sit on the outdoor terrace overlooking the pool and the green valley beyond. All-day dining is available with bistro fare, or items ordered from Baan Dahlia and Sala Mae Nam.

At Baan Dhali, Thailand meets Tuscany in handcrafted Italian menu items, from pasta garnished with fresh herbs from the resort garden to saffron risotto and seafood dishes. All are perfectly paired with wines recommended by the resort’s Wine Guru.

For an exceptional dining experience, opt for Dining by Design, an indulgent culinary event for two set in a terraced rice paddy, a sunset sala, or on the boat pier overlooking the river. Design your own menu with the chef or select from a collection of northern Thai cuisine items. You’ll receive butler service during your candlelit dinner (and possibly an elephant greeting!).

Room Guide

The star of the room show at Anantara Golden Triangle is undoubtedly the Jungle Bubbles, but even if this is not an option, you’ll love the deluxe rooms and suites, most of which overlook three countries (Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos).

Hotel Rooms and Suites: Each graciously appointed room and suite is awash in teak flooring, hill tribe fabrics, and traditional artwork, complemented by high-tech comforts (complimentary Wi-Fi, for one). Thai daybeds are the perfect perch from which to watch grazing elephants or soak in the deep terrazzo tub while taking in the view. Additional amenities include Anantara Spa products, a Nespresso machine, complimentary daily minibar, and a flat-screen TV with international satellite channels. Suites also have a spacious lounging area and walk-in rain shower. Family suites include an interconnected suite and ensuite twin room.

Jungle Bubbles: This exquisite, back-to-nature experience is available as an overnight activity for resort guests and does not replace hotel accommodation. That being said, it is not to be missed. Choose from a one-bedroom bubble for up to two, or a two-bedroom bubble lodge for up to four, with a living room and an outdoor terrace with a plunge pool and lounge area, and butler service/private chef experience.

Set on raised wooden decks, these custom-designed, air-conditioned private jungle observatories include a king bed and seating area under a transparent roof (the ensuite bathroom is enclosed and nontransparent). Amenities include fluffy robes and slippers, crisp white linens, and upscale bath products. You’ll have access to a dinner basket, 24-hour in-room dining, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Special Experiences

Sharing a jungle resort with gentle elephants is special enough, but you can elevate your experience even further with one of these carefully curated activities at Anantara Golden Triangle. These experiences are an additional fee.

In addition to the can’t-miss Jungle Bubble experience (see above), there are several ways to venture into the countryside around the resort. Take an exhilarating ride in a Royal Enfield Classic 500 Sidecar (this is the only hotel in Thailand that can offer this unique option). You’ll zip past elephant grazing lands, around the Golden Triangle, and to Doi Tung to see the 10th-century Wat Phra That Doi Tung. Feel the nostalgia of this old-school, mode of transport as you cruise to Chiang Sean’s Giant Golden Buddha, sacred temples, a local market, and ancient Lanna sites.

Take a three-day, two-night Mekong kingdoms cruise from Lanna to Lan Xang aboard the Gypsy, a 42-meter, thatched-roof rice barge with modern amenities. There are two ensuite cabins on either end of the boat so that it feels more private. Visit remote hill tribe villages, marvel at Luang Prabang, practice yoga on the deck, and cheers rice wine tastings at sunset.

Join elephants on their daily walk to the river with dedicated vets and researchers, learning more about the pachyderms’ biology, behavior, and the conservation efforts in place to protect them.

Find more information on the base Golden Triangle Luxury Explorer all-inclusive program here. Other offers can be found here.