However many times we travel to Asia, we always get excited about the prospect of encountering some of the diverse and fascinating animal species that inhabit the region! Whether you dream of watching orang-utans in Borneo, feeding elephants in Thailand, or falling asleep to the soundscape of the Sri Lankan wilderness, we’ve picked a few of our favourite hotels where that wildlife will be right on your doorstep.
Inle Heritage Resort, Inle Lake, Myanmar
The only way to reach the remote islands of the Inle Heritage Resort is via an hour-long boat trip past the stilted houses and floating gardens of the Inle waterways, which gives your stay a slightly ‘other-worldly’ feel from the outset. When you reach the resort itself, it won’t be long before you meet a few misty-furred Burmese cats - members of the 40 strong cat colony that calls this heritage project home. The 1,000 year old pedigree breed used to be the chosen feline of the royal court, and is gradually being reintroduced to Myanmar under guidance from an NGO. They're now cared for like royalty themselves, with their own island, complete with cat hotels, a larger house on the main island, and freedom to roam wherever they wish - as well as plenty of pampering from staff and guests.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp, Thailand
The rescue and rehabilitation of elephants is a top priority throughout Asia, and ventures like the Anantara Elephant Camp - a huge favourite amongst the Selective Asia team - are a vital part of the story. This camp is currently home to 25 elephants (a number that continues to grow as the herd breeds), and over 60 people who care for and support them. Combining a top-notch luxury spa hotel with hands-on elephant conservation brings new visitors every day to fall in love with these extraordinary animals and spread the message about their needs. Start by breakfasting with the elephants, before accompanying them on foot as they wander through the jungle, and finish off the day back at the hotel with a relaxing massage and a cocktail or two: sounds pretty perfect to us.
Mahoora Tented Camps, Sri Lanka
Each of Sri Lanka’s national parks has different interdependent ecosystems to discover, and staying in a tented camp alongside the protected areas put you right where the action is. From the brave leopards to be spotted making their way through Yala's grasslands, to elephant sightings at Udawalawe, to the nearly 200 species of birds that visit the Bundala wetlands, each tented camp is sensitively pitched within the animals’ natural habitat. You won’t be roughing it, either: the tents are really more like canvas cabins, complete with plush full-size beds, wall-to-wall carpet, and en-suites with hot showers and flushable loos. Go to sleep under the stars and wake to a different kind of dawn chorus, as the gentle murmur of stirring wildlife echoes through the landscape.
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