Luxury Hotels - Been to FS Tented Camp Recently?

Thinking about going at the end of the month. Would appreciate any advice from recent visitors.

1. Is this a good time to go? Weather? Is it low season now?

2. How's the service? There's been some mixed reviews on this forum.

3. Is it worth it? 75k baht a night seems pretty steep.

4. Which are the best tents.

5. Is it worth spending time in the city of Chiang Rai?

Thanks in advance!

ask management whether age requirement is being enforced or not.

How's the service? There's been some mixed reviews on this forum.

Groombridge mentioned one problematic staff member. thats it for service, excluding the non enforcement of age requirement.

Groombridge >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/559277-four-seasons-golden-triangle-tented-camp-post16725382.html#post16725382
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/559277-four-seasons-golden-triangle-tented-camp-post16729508.html#post16729508

Groombridge FS chiang mai >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1209774-planning-thailand-trip-please-help-post16298606.html#post16298606

It will be HOT at this time of year. And I second checking that age requirement situation that Kage mentions - it was an awesome place if not fully booked and with just adults. I thought Tent 2 was excellent.

I believe it is off-season (with off-season prices and specials) but hot, which may impact your enjoyment of all of the outdoor activities that make the FS Tented Camp special.

My wife and I went for 4 days and thought the service was outstanding, with personal interaction with the GM and the ability to order or do whatever you want. The private guided tours and activities were great.

When we were there, there was one family with children, but they were well-behaved and we barely noticed them.

Thinking about going at the end of the month. Would appreciate any advice from recent visitors.

1. Is this a good time to go? Weather? Is it low season now?

2. How's the service? There's been some mixed reviews on this forum.

3. Is it worth it? 75k baht a night seems pretty steep.

4. Which are the best tents.

5. Is it worth spending time in the city of Chiang Rai?

Thanks in advance!

Adding to the other posts....

2. Last first hand feedback I had was it was excellent...

3. I preface any booking at this hotel by saying that if you are hung up on the price of it and expecting a life changing experience, you are going to be let down and find the value of your stay to be low. The wine they pour for example, is really nothing to get excited about vs what Singita does for example. Its a very unique hotel, in a unique place that is pricey. If you can get past the price point, you'll love it. If you cannot, you'll spend a lot of your trip wondering how they can charge X per night for this place.

4. Burma Tent (11 I think) is a great view in the morning... The ones over the Elephant camp have the bonus of the outdoor jacuzzi on the deck

5. Mai over Rai if you are doing both areas...

My wife and I stayed here a couple of months back.

2. How's the service? There's been some mixed reviews on this forum.

It's extremely good. I'd say the warmest service I've ever encountered. But not the most competent - I was a little disappointed by their lack of individual attention when it comes to food.

3. Is it worth it? 75k baht a night seems pretty steep.

Good question. I couldn't make up my mind. My expectations based on reviews here and on tripadvisor were so high that I was bound to be underwhelmed.

What they offer - the elephant interaction - is their USP and is unique. This is why they're able to get away with the steep price. I don't regret having stayed there simply because of the uniqueness of the experience, but I did find it overpriced. I've rarely ever felt this way about any Aman stay.

4. Which are the best tents.

BE WARNED - the walks from the tent to the restaurant, bar, and spa can be very long. They do have a driveway down below the tents which I was very thankful for. I'd always, always opt for a tent close to the main restaurant and pool since these will be your most frequent stops. Tent number 2 (hilltribe) was perfect for us - one of the best views and designs, and close to the main area.

I'd avoid the butterfly tent because so many dead moths/butterflies on the walls are creepy!

5. Is it worth spending time in the city of Chiang Rai?

I didn't think so.

~1km from first tent to last tent?
re driveway - i see they have buggies - how does that work?

tent selection seems like a very good question, for example >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/559277-four-seasons-golden-triangle-tented-camp.html
when DLX were added (converted) there were only 3

I believe that most of the tents with the best locations have now been converted to Deluxe tents (hot tubs were added to the outdoor space), that is probably the best category.

This is a wonderful time of year to be in the Golden Triangle, and there are plenty of things to do in the area. I stayed for four nights last year, and could have stayed for five. I recommend visiting the Princess Mother's Royal Villa at Doi Tung, which is in the style of a Swiss chalet and has a beautiful garden. The Villa was inspired by the Princess Mother's experience living in Switzerland, where HM The King also studied in his youth.

Additionally, there are wonderful temples to see which are different from those one might see in Southern Thailand (similar in style to Lao and Burmese temples). Day trips into Laos and Burma are also possible.

To have enough time for the Mahout training and sightseeing I recommend staying for four nights.

Thanks for all the input here. Very much appreciate it. One final question. Is it a beautiful place?

Thanks for all the input here. Very much appreciate it. One final question. Is it a beautiful place?

It's a wonderful place and very beautiful.