2 Best Hotels in Ban Sop Ruak, Northern Thailand

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 and Ruak rivers. Daytime activities include mahout training courses, excursions to the Golden Triangle, boat trips on the Mekong, and cooking lessons.

Set near the borders of Laos and Burma and about a 90-minute drive from Chiang Rai, this property is an unparalleled member of the Four Seasons portfolio, with 16 tents spread around the edges of a riverside bamboo jungle and designed to evoke luxury safaris. The tents are outfitted with en-suite bathrooms, clawfoot tubs, outdoor showers, luxe linens, and a polished colonial-style decor. Some are tucked high along the winding hill paths and others are closer to the main buildings, but all have unbroken views of the Ruak River, the jungle, or Laos's mountain ranges. Facilities include a free-form riverside pool, two open-air spa tents for nature-based treatments, a clubby restaurant serving international fare, and a thatched-roof bar and wine cellar. The real highlight, though, is the on-site Elephant Camp, where guests can experience walking with the gentle giants. Jungle treks, bird-watching, cooking and craft lessons, boat rides, and excursions to the Golden Triangle can also be arranged. Two-, three-, and four-night package rates include all meals (with house alcohol), half-day elephant experience, Golden Triangle excursion, one spa treatment per person, private transfers from Chiang Rai airport, and more. Note that the camp requires a two-night minimum and accommodates children over 12 only.