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in wanderment with lark ellen gouldFor travelers who want a taste of the wild while contributing to the welfare of the jungle and its inhabitants, Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle in Thailand provides a bonding memory that brings in the element of “never forgetting.” |
The camps 15 inside/outside bungalows evoke the era of 19th century explorers but with amenities that range from wood-burning fireplaces, private terraces over the rainforest, rainshower outdoor showers and copper tubs for two, jungle walks through the cliffside resort expanse, jungle-shrouded side-by-side spa treatments, and a swimming pool overlooking the river.
But the camp offers something not found elsewhere – mahout lessons. The all-inclusive nature of this luxury camp extends to adopting an elephant and riding it, talking to it, feeding it and caring for it while visiting. Each elephant is a rescue elephant that was abandoned by loggers or farmers and left to wander to streets of Thailand’s cities with dim prospects for survival. A portion of each booking at the camp goes to an active elephant rescue foundation in Thailand.
“We get a lot of honeymooners here. It is a very romantic place. There is a lot of alone time as you are pretty isolated in this area at the border of Burma, Laos and Thailand with nothing but the sounds of birds and wildlife around you. But you are really not alone at all as you are out there exploring the jungle every day and forming a bond with the elephants,” says Maria Kuhn, spokesman for Four Seasons properties in Thailand.
A fairy tale wedding can be ordered up at the camp – but the knight in shining armor is actually a groom on an elephant. The sunset wedding ceremony takes place on the pachyderm’s back at the Camp’s summit with vantages of three countries. A white orchid campfire dinner for two culminates in the launching of traditional Thai lanterns into the night sky carrying the wishes of the newlyweds to the gods.
The camp can accommodate up to 30 guests total. An all-inclusive three- or four-night adventure package, which includes all meals and (house) libations plus arranged activities, mahout training and elephant excursions, one 90-minute spa treatment per guest and roundtrip air transfers from Chiang Rai International Airport starts at $1,994 per night plus tax and service fees through August.
Paradise on the Gulf of Siam
For those couples who would prefer an island experience in Thailand, Four Seasons Koh Samui has it all: the villa guestroom expanse, the white sand beaches, the exquisite resort grounds and the nearby towns for local meanderings.
The property takes up a hillside so each villa comes with stunning views of the Gulf of Siam that can be enjoyed from a private patio furnished with a double day bed, a plunge pool and fountain, and a personal outdoor barista bar. A private dining cove on the beach set up with a sumptuous table in the shallow warm waters, a fire pit, candles in the sand and doting, albeit “invisible” wait staff, is a winner with honeymooners and proposal makers alike. (A day’s notice is needed to reserve and put into action).
The Koh Samui resort offers an “East Meets West” package that allows couples to marry in Thai tradition with a Buddhist ceremony blessed by monks. The package starts at $5,250 for three nights and includes daily breakfast, a 90-minute spa treatment for the bride and groom as well as manicures and pedicures for both parties; a blissful and blessed Buddhist ceremony; a romantic dinner in villa or private cove, a bottle of Champagne and a rose petal path to the villa.
Without the wedding ceremony, a three-night romance package starts at $1,118 per night and includes daily breakfast, a three-hour Romance Spa session for two, private dinner on the beach, Champagne, airport transfers and a keepsake photo album with disposable camera.
Into the Land of Karma
India excites the senses with its baffling array of colors and scents and sensual cultural traditions. The Taj Hotel chain is able to employ these elements for an attractive collection of exotically romantic moments.
The recently-restored Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur and the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur might be the top choices for romance with an exotic flair. Both are authentic colonial-era palaces offering plenty of heady atmosphere to stoke the imagination. The Taj Lake Palace creates an iconic image of India as it seems to float like a lotus on Lake Pichola. The airport is about a half-hour’s drive away and the rail station, for those who choose to take one of India’s luxury rail lines to the location, is about two miles away. One of the jewels in this crown is the Royal Spa Suite, adorned in Rousseau-like wall designs and set on two levels with a private in-suite massage room and Jacuzzi all overlooking the lake and nearby Jagmandir Palace. Private butlers are on hand to attend all needs and a fleet of vintage and classic cars can arrange nearby jaunts into town, attended by a personal butler. The Jiva Spa presents an eclectic menu of Indian-style treatments as well as lessons in meditation and yoga.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace on a hill overlooking Jodhpur is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world – set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. The Art Deco monument dates back to 1943 and brings a strange blend of eastern and western architectural influences.
The Maharani Suite here is a sensuous accommodation to recommend. It is dominated by a mural of the Goddess Kali, etched on shining black glass. Completely renovated it has a spacious sitting room, a dining room for 12 with attached kitchen, a large bedroom and a long verandah overlooking the formal gardens and the Mehrangarh Fort in the distance. It provides a private, couples’ spa therapy room and adjoining yoga/meditation room. The bathroom is carved out of a single piece of pink Italian marble.
The more masculine Maharajah Suite features murals of leopards, tigers and horses. The suite’s original, art deco furnishings and lighting has been restored and blended seamlessly with newer pieces. The suite features a dining room, a private bar, sitting room, huge master bedroom, private spa therapy room, dressing room, and fully refurbished six-fixture bathroom with adjoining steam room. The rooms open on to a generous verandah overlooking one of the palace’s grand courtyards.
The palace, itself, is a wonder to be explored freely and the location is an easy walk to the enchanting town of Jodhpur for shopping.
A Royal Honeymoon stay at the Lake Palace in the Royal Suite runs $1,722 for the couple for two nights and includes transfers in a luxury car, breakfast in bed, a Champagne tour of the palace, a sunset cruise on the lake and cultural performances inside the Courtyard. It also brings an exclusive dinner with wine and live instrumental music, a private consultation and couples’ massage at the Royal Taj Spa, an evening session of Cigar & Cognac in the candlelit lobby lounge, a late-night Shikara boat cruise on Lake Pichola, turndown amenities and hand-picked room amenities, such as scented candles, aromatic oils and a bottle of wine. A special bath is set up from the exotic Bath Menu on any one night during the stay and couples can stay in and watch movies from a collection of Hollywood classics and enjoy fresh-picked flowers of choice. Discounts on spa treatments and food are also included. Use of the spa wet areas is complimentary.
Room rates at the Umaid Palace start at $364 per night with historic suites starting at $810 per night.
