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Panchoran Retreat, Bali

Robinson Crusoe meets Kung Fu Panda at Panchoran Retreat; the brainchild of Irish-born interior and landscape designer Linda Garland, known locally as 'the bamboo queen'. Garland's penchant for this eco-friendly construction material led her to establish the Environmental Bamboo Foundation back in 1993, seven years after she started building her retreat on the outskirts of Ubud. 

The massive estate, Garland's home-turned-hotel-turned-vastparty- villa, uses more bamboo than a Chinese construction site - from the food to the furniture and the floorboards, there's not much that escapes the bamboo stick. Exploring Balé Gede - the main house, with a communal lounge and outdoor dining area - one discovers avant-garde bamboo chandeliers, rickety bamboo rocking chairs on the porch, and Deco-esque tables crafted from reclaimed bamboo panels. And it's all designed and crafted by Garland herself. 

The six very separate villas, each aptly named (Waterfall, Bamboo, Coconut, River House, etc.), are well spaced out, tiered down a lush hillside overlooking a small river and, yes, a grove containing 100 different varieties of bamboo. Spring-fed swimming pools, encroaching vegetation teeming with wildlife, and outdoor decks capture the very essence of Ubud. Whether it's one bedroom for honeymooners, or three bedrooms for families or sleeping for 20-plus for a wild, wild party, Panchoran has something for everyone. 

Shabby chic is the best way to describe the décor, with a mishmash of objets and furniture giving each space the ambiance and character of a cosy, somewhat eccentric, country house. Four-poster beds overhung with mosquito nets, huge ceramic vases overflowing with stems of ginger and dragon flowers, and Javanese carved panels characterise the bedrooms. There's very little spit and polish: the outdoor bathrooms are overgrown with moss and ferns, the floorboards creek, the vases are chipped, and there are cobwebs in the corner. But that's all part of the charm.

Located in the forest, close to Ubud, Bali-Indonesia, is the breathtaking Panchoran Retreat. It is inspired by nature, creating environments it is difficult to distinguish the interior from exterior. Only recycled or sustainable materials were used to create this haven. This private hideaway has 6 houses scattered amongst nature with magical views of the valley and bamboo forest. 

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Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand

History

Constructed in 1978 as a Peninsula hotel, it was sold to Regent Hotels in 1982. Thereafter, Four Seasons undertook the management of the hotel until it was acquired by Regent in 1992.^[4] It was named the Regent Bangkok following its acquisition by Minor in 2001 until Minor renamed it the Four Seasons Bangkok in 2003. On 1 March 2015, with the aim of creating a flagship Anantara hotel in the center of Bangkok, Minor International renamed it the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel^[5] It is Anantara’s fourth hotel in the Thai capital, after Anantara Baan Rajprasong, Anantara Bangkok Riverside and Anantara Bangkok Sathorn.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation

Mai Khao beach is among the few beaches in Phuket that act as nesting grounds for sea turtles. Thus, the Minor Hotel Group, as part of its conservation projects, set up the The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation^[6] (MKMTF) that engages in protecting and conserving endangered sea turtles in Phuket and other areas in Thailand. The foundation was founded with a donation of 45,000 US dollars donated by the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa and the Minor Hotel Group. Through the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation^[6] turtle eggs are collected from areas where they are threatened. There onwards they are handed over to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and the Royal Thai Navy who provides a sanctuary for the eggs until they hatch and ensure the young turtles reach the sea safely.

Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel is part of the hotel chain Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, the founder of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation^[7] that was set up to uplift the lives of the Asian elephant in Thailand and the mahout communities. The foundation was established in 2005 in co-operation with Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort. Currently 25 elephants and 60 people are benefitting^[7] from the foundation that is funded by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas as well as from the donations of hotel guests.

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