CHIANG RAI, THAILAND – The newly opened luxury Visama Mae Chan tented camp in northern Thailand has announced that it is available for exclusive private event buyouts by families or groups of friends.
The opulently-appointed five-star tented camp, which opened in December and only has 10 luxury tents, lends itself to small group reunions, special occasions, and weddings. Companies can also take it over for private business meetings.
Each group will have a dedicated occasion manager to make sure proceedings go smoothly.
“With almost five hectares, our beautiful retreat offers a very private, bespoke, and secure setting for families and friends,” says Christopher Stafford, co-founder of luxury tented camp specialists VHG Hospitality Asia, which conceived, built, and runs the tented camp.
The safari tents, on raised platforms in a teak wood grove in rolling hill country, were imported from South Africa and adapted for northern Thailand.
Amenities inside each tent include air conditioning, a mobile phone with a concierge app, French press coffee pots, WiFi, rain showers, a safety deposit box, a refrigerator, his and her bathrobes and slippers, bathtub, large balconies and an evening turndown service.
Each unit ranges in size from 48 to 80 sqm, including a 12 or 20 sqm veranda. The largest tents have two bedrooms. Each tent category has a hill tribe name such as “Akha”, “Yao”, “Lahu”, and “Lisu” in honour of the hill tribes who live in surrounding mountain villages across Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province.
Trips to see the hill tribes are part of the camp’s activity options. Guests can also try guided hiking and biking trips, cooking classes, spa therapy, yoga, Tai Chi, archery, painting and pottery lessons.
Excursions to evocative temples, local markets, a boat ride on the Mekong River or a trip to a very informative opium museum can also be arranged.
In the evenings there is the option of star-lit fire-side movie screenings and BBQs at the Ambalama lounge area.
The food experience
The lodge’s food experience is key.
Guests can consult with head chef Suphannat ‘Miu’ Amnuayrit (pictured) who can create special menu options for each group that takes over the camp. Or everyone can go full a la carte. There is a wide selection of Asian, Western, Thai and northern Thai options all made to immaculate five-star standards. Most of it is organic and sourced locally.
Northern Thailand’s signature dish, Khao Soy – curry egg noodle soup with generous portions of chicken, lime, chilli, red onion and pickled cabbage – is a house speciality. As is Geng Hanglay – succulent braised pork, served in a rich sauce with aromatics, accompanied by rice.
There is also an option for families or groups of friends to give back.
Visama Mae Chan has a partnership with the neighbouring Friends of Thai Daughters Foundation. Three young women university graduates are already working at the resort, thanks to the foundation. Guests can pay THB500 (US$15/€13/£11) to plant a sapling of a teak or fig tree. The donation goes to the charity. There are other opportunities for guests to support the foundation’s work while at the camp.
On accessibility, Visama Mae Chan is a 40-minute transfer from Chiang Rai International Airport, which is a 90-minute flight from Bangkok or a 130-minute flight from Phuket.
Families and interested parties can find out more about Thailand’s newest luxury tented camp at maechan.visamalodges.com.
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