Fodor's Expert Review Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort

The Anantara is one of the Golden Triangle's greatest hits, a symphony of styles created by Thailand's leading interior designer and architect, Bill Bensley. Mythical figures line the way to a palatial entrance, which leads into an open-plan, two-floor area encompassing an excellent restaurant, opulently furnished lounge, and the longest bar in northern Thailand. Rooms are luxuriously furnished in indigenous woods and draped with handmade Thai fabrics. Louvered glass doors lead to bathrooms with terra-cotta tubs big enough for a pool party. Beds are equally huge, and seven different types of pillows are offered. Picture windows opening onto private balconies command spectacular views of the confluence of the Mekong, Mae Sai, and Ruak rivers. Daytime activities include riding the hotel's own elephants, mahout training courses, excursions to the Golden Triangle, boat trips on the Mekong, and cooking lessons.