Nice Camping Hotel

[qualtrough]

Saw this in the Independent tonight. Sounds like a neat concept, but the price blew me away. Check that out, UKP 863 per person per night. Not only that but you can't check in until 3pm, and you are on the street (or boat) by 12:00 noon the next day. Hope they give a late checkout if you ask nicely. I am sure it is quite nice, but what a margin they must be making. Cost of the infrastructure would be nothing like that of a hotel (tented teak platforms, rainwater showers), and the staff salaries, well you know what they are. Fifteen rooms x UKP 1726 per night--even at 25% occupancy they could pay the cost of that operation in no time. You do get elephant rides, and arrive and depart in a boat, so that might be where part of the money goes...

Four Seasons Tented Camp, Thailand

This Four Seasons "campsite" located in the Golden Triangle comes with canvas cabins set over recycled-teak floors and en-suite "exotic rain" showers. Access is by chauffeured riverboat, and once onsite, guests are given driving lessons: specifically how to ride an elephant. The resident mahout teaches the basics in pachyderm piloting before sending initiates off on guided safari through the surrounding bamboo jungle. Alongside the abundant wildlife to be spotted in this region, on the border with Myanmar and Laos, the camp offers numerous cultural excursions plus nightly formal campfire dinners and cocktails in the stilt-top riverside bar.

Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle, Thailand (00 66 53 910 200, www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle). From £863 per person per night for a three-night all-inclusive tented adventure package

[Jet Gorgon]

Stilt-top bar...no good for me, my dog's in a wheelchair.

Mebbe this post should be in the travel section...