Perched high up on the hills on Thailand’s border overlooking Myanmar and Lao, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort&Spa has implemented and integrated sustainable practices into the heart of the resort’s operations. The resort and spa were scrutinized and measured against the rigorous Green Globe criteria in 4 key areas: sustainable management, socio/economic, cultural heritage, and environmental.

Green Globe Certification CEO Guido Bauer said: “For decades, the north of Thailand has been famous for trekking and its native elephants. The resort is a proud sponsor of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation and encourages its guests to visit and support its activities in preserving the wellbeing of these iconic animals.

“Anantara Golden Triangle is perfectly located to provide travelers with an introduction to some of the world’s most pristine rainforests, as well as explore the great ethnic diversity of the region. The resort is a custodian of this area, and we believe that Green Globe certification and its program of sustainability will ensure great rewards for not just visitors but the local communities as well.”

One of the main challenges faced by the resort was implementing sustainability policies to a wide and diverse range of departmental functions without affecting the comfort and service level their guests are accustomed to. Achieving certification validates the successful implementation of the policies throughout the resort and the “buy-in” from team members that sustainability is good for business.

Throughout the certification process, the level of interest among the team members and wider community interviewed by Green Globe Auditor, EcoLeadership, confirmed that sustainability has been integrated into the decision-making process throughout the organization. In general, the team has a strong sense of pride in belonging to a company that champions sustainability. Interviews with staff also revealed a good, albeit varying levels of understanding of sustainability issues and how these impact the hotel and their personal lives. Anantara Golden Triangle General Manager, Christopher Adams said, “Anantara Golden Triangle is very proud to have been awarded Green Globe certification, and we are committed to continually improving the environmental sustainability at our beautiful resort.”

About Anantara Golden Triangle Resort&Spa, Chiang Rai

Anantara Golden Triangle Resort&Spa offers an escape like no other. Experience the refreshing chill of a northern Thai sunrise shrouded in mountain mist, the wonder of riding an elephant through bamboo jungle, the rush of a longtail boat ride up the Mekong River.

Enjoy breathtaking vistas from the beautifully-finished rooms and suites as you recline on crisp daybeds and watch elephants grazing in the distance, the sound of birdsong playing over the Mekong and Ruak rivers. Anantara Golden Triangle features superbly-composed décor and Bill Bensley-designed gardens, and every room is complete with oversized terrazzo bathtubs, Thai textiles, teak furnishings, and artwork from local cultures.

Dine on the finest northern Thai and international cuisine, a perfect accompaniment to the majesty of one of the finest Chiang Rai hotels. Immerse yourself in the local culture with the on-site elephant camp, or learn to create authentic Lanna cuisine at the cooking school. Explore three countries including hill-tribe villages, the Hall of Opium museum, and the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Saen, or simply wind down at the world-renowned Anantara Spa.