Totally, in every way. Anantara was refashioned from an old Meridien hotel. It has been done quite well, but the intention was never to be more than a good four-star. It is owned by the same person as FS Tented Camp, but is obviously aimed at a different market. Not a bad spa - prettily designed by Bill Bensley (same architect that did Tented Camp).

Food there is so-so and you have to take a top suite to get anything reasonable (then, they are not bad, with opium-bed balconies), but nothing too special. You can also see the Casino across the river, which rather spoils the effect.

FS Tented is, conversely, a unique and magical experience, from the boat arrival and the extraordinary tents with their outdoor showers overlooking Burma and Laos, to the alfresco spa and the sheer intimacy of such a small resort - more Aman than any other Four Seasons you will experience.