Southeast Asia has been home for more than twelve years and during that time we have experienced many of the finest luxury hotels and resorts in the region. We do not have our favourites, but there are individual properties and brands that for varying reasons ensure that we return. Anantara Hotels & Resorts is most certainly one of those brands. Whilst being firmly rooted in Thai hospitality they consistently manage to deliver authentic hospitality across Southeast Asia and beyond. They are committed to multiple sustainable practices, whether that is supporting the people and communities they work with, reducing single use plastics, or responsible and local sourcing. In addition to these initiatives, the hotels and resorts we have recently visited all offer clearly labelled and readily available vegetarian, plant based, and vegan food which further reduces their impact. We hope you enjoy reading about our recent experiences, commencing at their flagship hotel in the heart of Bangkok, before heading to their Siem Reap resort just a short drive from the magnificent Angkor Wat, visiting riverside Hoi An and oceanfront Desaru along the way. Each of these four luxury Anantara properties offers something truly unique, yet all embrace that distinctive Anantara approach to luxury hospitality which keeps us coming back for more.
Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel in Thailand
Following a seamless airport transfer through the busy streets of Bangkok from the busy and over stimulating Suvarnabhumi Airport, arriving at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel was just like stepping into a serene oasis in the heart of urban Bangkok. The welcoming lobby immediately impressed with its high ceilings, glittering chandeliers and the beautiful hand painted mural which adorns the walls above the imperial staircase depicting the coronation of King Rama I and the foundation of Bangkok in 1782. We loved that the bespoke key fobs even referenced this expansive 100 square metre mural, a small detail that subtly introduced Bangkok’s long and storied history to guests. During check in, we were offered a chilled rosella tea with Thai herbs, which was refreshing after our flight and a lovely start to our stay, making for the perfect welcome.
We stayed in one of their newly renovated Siam Rooms on the sixth floor which was bright, spacious and luxurious, with recessed wood panelling and mural artwork in a style that blended both modern and classical. We immediately noticed the yoga mat tucked away, which made a morning stretch before heading down for breakfast easy, and the non feather pillow option was a welcome addition for a good feather free sleep. We enjoyed the modern and intuitive in room technology, including super fast Wi-Fi, a large flatscreen TV and a Nespresso machine, and we loved the spacious marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub and GROHE touch button shower, which was simple and intuitive, with no fumbling for controls.
The newly renovated pool and surrounding areas create a tropical oasis offering relaxed resort vibes despite being in the city. Spending time here during our stay was just perfect, presenting opportunity for a quiet moment to relax and recharge. We made sure to take those relaxed vibes to the next level by booking treatments at the serene Anantara Spa where the expert therapists elevated our sense of relaxation. With multiple dining options at Anantara Siam there is truly something for everyone, with vegan guests and diners able to select from plentiful plant based options. These included during breakfast at the open air Parichart Court where dishes included noodle soups with tofu, idli and sambar, hummus, fattoush, avocado toast and vegan shakshuka, meaning there was something new and exciting to try each morning. Impressive vegan menus at both Biscotti and Spice Market allowed us to enjoy plant based Italian and Thai cuisine, whilst a beautifully presented vegan afternoon tea was one of the highlights of our stay. Anantara Siam boasts history and character whilst at the same time is modern and stylish, which when combined with the attentive hospitality and first rate service, creates a luxury hotel that is perfect for business and leisure travellers alike.
Anantara Angkor Resort in Cambodia
Anantara Angkor Resort is an all suite luxury hotel in Siem Reap. With its location just a short drive from the town, and not much further from the UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat which can be reached in just twenty minutes, it’s the perfect option for anyone planning to visit Siem Reap. The magnificent temple sites are of course where many guests will spend time during their stay, but having called Siem Reap home for many years we’ve been blessed to explore the ancient temple sites extensively so our stay was all about relaxing, enjoying a selection of the vegan and vegetarian menu inclusions, and escaping from every day life. From the moment we arrived until our late checkout, the staff ensured our plans became reality with their kind, welcoming and professional service.
We stayed in a Premier Terrace Suite at Anantara Angkor Resort, complete with an inviting standalone bathtub that was ready for us during a tropical rainstorm and before bed each night. Our small terrace overlooked lush gardens and the pool, a perfect spot for contemplating life whilst enjoying a refreshing drink from the mini bar or delivered via room service. Our bed (with non feather pillows of course) was incredibly comfortable and we slept oh so well, which was exactly what we had hoped for during our short staycation.
We spent our mornings swimming laps in the 20 metre pool and afternoons relaxing upon the poolside shaded sun loungers, completely chilled and content. We enjoyed long and leisurely lunches at Chi, with dishes including pomelo salad with extra tofu and cashews, avocado salad, Khmer curry and a trio of Indian dishes during our stay. Desserts included vegan sorbets, banana in sago, and a vegan brownie with cashew cream that we devoured. Sustainability touches like glass water bottles, refillable bathroom dispensers, and non feather pillows ensured our stay was responsible as well as luxurious. Our luxurious suite, the inviting pool and the thoughtful vegan food combined for the perfect escape making Anantara Angkor an excellent option for your next Siem Reap vacation.
Anantara Hoi An Resort in Vietnam
Anantara Hoi An Resort is located directly on the riverside just a short walk from Hoi An Ancient Town, making it the perfect choice for combining luxury living with riverside ambience, all within easy access to everything this enchanting town has to offer. We have visited Hoi An many times over the years and find it to be a unique and special destination, which when combined with being fans of Anantara properties across the region, made us very excited for our first stay at this riverside resort. Having previously only dined there, we were looking forward to our return during which we would have the chance to of course sample their food again, but also enjoy staying for the full Anantara Hoi An experience.
From the moment we were picked up from nearby Danang International Airport to checking into one of their newly renovated Premium River Suites, it was hard not to be seriously impressed. The smooth transition from the airport to our stunning suite was the perfect start, with genuine hospitality and memorable experiences continuing over the following days. Our suite deserves a special mention as the location and first floor terrace with enviable river views were truly unique, whilst the interior had been meticulously renovated to the highest of standards. We loved the sunken bath, the distinctive lacquer furniture and the freestanding vanity unit, whilst the split level layout presented ideal spaces to relax in addition to the private outdoors terrace.
Anantara Hoi An is located directly on the river, meaning there were beautiful views not only from our suite but throughout the resort, including the inviting pool and both the Lanterns and Hoi An Riverside restaurants. We enjoyed delicious and nutritious vegan food at each of these restaurants, as well as at Art Space, their modern bistro, which has also been recently remodelled and to our delight serves both vegan burgers and pizza with vegan cheese. Our entire stay was first class, and we would like to thank the staff team for going above and beyond during a visit we will always remember.
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Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas in Malaysia
The last of our stays for this article was at the seriously impressive Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas which instantly felt like a proper beach escape, the kind you daydream about when you need sun, sand and relaxing days. We first knew we were somewhere special at check in, when we were escorted from the lobby to the Observatory Bar where we sipped fresh mocktails and enjoyed snacks whilst gazing over the pool towards the wide expanse of the ocean beyond. This was luxury living and holiday vibes at their finest and our first impressions of Anantara Desaru were seriously high.
During our first stay, our Executive Sea Facing Balcony Room was mesmerising at sunrise, the sky turning pink and gold over the water, and on another visit our Lagoon Pool Villa was a private paradise with its own pool and cabana which was where we enjoyed both long and lazy afternoons, evening mocktails and late night contemplation. Both the room and the villa that we experienced were luxuriously appointed combining comfort, style and everything else you would expect from a five star luxury resort.
Daily breakfast at Turmeric was one the highlights during our stay, enjoying everything from freshly squeezed tropical juices and coconut porridge with mixed berries to the tofu scramble and off menu surprises the team made for us each day. Dinner was just as memorable, with fragrant pomelo salad, crispy stuffed tofu pockets and vegan Pad Thai that offered a true taste of Thailand despite being in Malaysia. In addition to the expansive and seemingly never ending beach, there are two inviting pool areas, sunrise yoga by the beach and a spa that offered us the perfect wind down before departure. The warm and friendly hospitality, those peaceful seaside vistas and the delicious vegan food impressed during both of our stays, all creating the perfect combination making Anantara Desaru one of our favourites for sure.
The attentive welcome and genuine hospitality we received from the staff teams at each of these four Anantara properties ensured that we enjoyed four truly memorable stays. This reflects management and leadership that care not only about the brand but also about the guest experience, as the first impression sets the tone while the ongoing hospitality ensures you feel welcome as a guest throughout your stay. We have already returned to three of these Anantara properties and cannot wait to return to each once again, and also have the opportunity to experience more of what Anantara Hotels & Resorts has to offer throughout the region over the coming months and years.
Paul Eyers
Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Food Quest who write about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and some of the finest golf courses throughout the region.
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