The Explorer’s Lodge at the Four Seasons Tented Camp — Chiang Rai, Thailand

Long celebrated by nature-loving aesthetes for its boundless rolling hills and far-flung seclusion, the Golden Triangle’s appeal has become even more tempting with the launch of the new Explorer’s Lodge at the Four Seasons Tented Camp.
Perched on a hillside near where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers meet, the two-bedroom villa is the resort’s alternative to its 15 two-sleeper luxury tents, dotted throughout the jungle with surrounding views of Thailand, Myanmar and Burma.
Designer Bill Bensley’s mood-board takes its cues from the resort’s 19th century safari-adventure theme, dressing the lodge with handcrafted wooden furniture, timber flooring, hurricane lamps and standout hand-hammered copper bathtubs. But with an outdoor plunge pool and, beyond that, a range of activities surrounding the camp’s rehabilitated elephants, it’s difficult to imagine spending too much time indoors.
We suggest a bracing climb to the resort’s highest point to watch the sunrise from behind the mountains of Laos over breakfast, before retiring back to the camp for a traditional Thai massage in the spa, surrounded by the lush bamboo jungle.
ADDRESS
499 Moo 1
Chiang Saen
Chiang Rai
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Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*, roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.
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