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Luxury camps in Southeast Asia bring guests closer to nature without sacrificing comfort Text Tan Lee Kuen

any people who feel increasingly overwhelmed by city life are turning to nature to regain a sense of

balance. But for those of us accustomed to the comforts of home, roughing it in a tent - exposed to the elements, with only a thin pallet to sleep on - might not be our cup of tea. Fortunately, glamping, or glamorous camping, offers a way to enjoy outdoor escapades amid stunning surroundings, in total luxury, free from the hassle of pitching a tent or enduring the absence of hot water.

Fom Seasons Tented Camp (fourseasons.com/ goldentriangle) in the Golden Triangle of Thailand brings guests up close to nature but in lavish settings and with impeccable service. Perched on Thai soil, it has a superb location that overlooks the lush hinterlands of Myanmar and Laos.

Conceived by Bangkok-based hotel designer Bill Bensley, the luxury camp offers an extraordinary glamping experience that invokes the spirit of romanticised safari romps. Each of the 15 roomy tents is decorated to the hilt in different themes such as Butterfly Tent and Culinary Arts Tent, complete with a fully stocked mini bar, a vast viewing deck and a handmade cooper bathtub.

0 The Jeeva Beloam beach camp in Lombok has a Robinson Crusoe feel to it

8 Four Seasons ll!nted Camp comes with its signature service and hospitality

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"It is camping in a very luxurious way, complete with the Four Seasons service and hospitality," says Alvin Thrun, the assistant caJUp manager. You will be thoroughly coddled with nature right at your doorstep, albeit trimmed and pruned.

Cicadas sing as you walk along bamboo-shaded paths to your room. Mornings are a cacophony of an awakening jungle. One minute you could be tucking into perfectly cooked Icing prawns while watching a herd of buffaloes cool off in the Ruak river; tl1e next you're getting the knots out of your back, enveloped by tl1e great outdoors. At sunset, the spot to be is at the Burma Bar, savouring a flute of champagne and watching the sun sink behind the motmtains.

It's not only about luxury at this all­inclusive resort camp as elephants lie at the core of its extensive list of highlights. Four Seasons Tented Camp and wother

nearby hotel established the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in 2006 to rescue and care for abused or retired elephants, together with their mahouts. The foundation currently cares for more thru1 20 elephants, four of which carry out the resort's mahout training wd trekking programmes for guests.

"Some guests get really attached to the elephants during their stay, spending a lot of their time with them. Or some guests come just to completely unwind and to watch the elephants from the comfort of their room," says Tham.

For most glamping vacations, the experience is about the careful balance of the wilderness and creature comforts, as exemplified by Kamu Lodge (kamulodge. com) in Laos. You have to cruise the Mekong on a traditional long riverboat for almost three hours to arrive at this eco-lodge, which was founded in 2005 by a group of travellers led by Eric Merlin. He was travelling on the outskirts of Luwg Prabang with his business partners when they chanced on this piece of verdant lwd on the bwks of the mighty river. This was where Kamu Lodge pitched its 20 thick­walled safari tents with sturdy thatch roofs and snug beds; they provide enough guard against the elements but allow guests to feel tl1ey're in the clutch of nature.

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"Giamping in Kamu Lodge is camping in comfort. 1he idea was to provide the basic necessities of modern Jiving while not going over the top to take the whole element of slow travel and real adventure away from the experience," says group general manager Kurt Walter.

The resort is committed to being sustainable. Solar panels provide enough electricity to run the fans and lights. Food at the lodge is simple but delicious Kamu or Laotian fare, the meat and produce sourced within the area.

It also advocates slow travel, slackening the rushed pace of life and immersing oneself in the local culture. The creators ofKamu Lodge have worked closely with the neighbouring Kamu Village to ensure a mutually beneficial integration with minimal impact on the community's way of life. Guests can participate in local activities such as fishing, archery or rice planting.

At Jeeva Beloam Qeevabeloam.com) in Lombok, you can experience a form of camping on the beach without getting sand all over your sleeping bag. Nestled on pristine white sand in a secluded cove on the eastern edge of Tanjung Ringgit, there is a Robinson Crusoe element to this quietly chic beach camp.

Inspired by a passion for responsible travel and built with a nod to its Indonesian roots, Jeeva Beloam's 11 traditional berugas

0 Delicious local fareatKamu Lodge

@ Jeeva Beloam's dining area overlooks the beach

@) Guests p!lrtlclpatlng in rice planting activity in Laos' Kamu Lodge

are made from recycled wood and bamboo with alang-alang roofs. And because the resort's designers know the real stars are the sand and sea, all rooms offer unfettered views with direct access to the beach.

There's no shortage of activities at Jeeva Beloam to help you answer the call of the v.rild; mornings can be spent trekking to the lighthouse at the tip of the promontory to catch the sunrise. Afternoons are for exploring the rich w1derwater world or cycling out to Pantai Segui to swim in its crystal clear waters. At the end of the day, guests are welcomed back to the air­conditioned comfort of their rooms, a hot shower and the catch of the day at Tenda Restaurant.

So as luxury and nature strive to become bedfellows, glamping can be a naturally rewarding fit. For tl1e best experience, look for resorts tl1at offer unique experiences and opulent setups as well as a commitment to the environment. •