Hotels

Visama Mae Chan luxury tented camp has soft-opened in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. The fully five-star property has a charitable purpose to promote Lanna culture and with 10 luxuriously appointed tents it constitutes the first high end lodge by Visama Hospitality Group (VHG) Asia. The opening units will be complemented by an additional 12 luxury tents in 2024.

It is a project with a purpose, run on not-for-profit principles to benefit the neighbouring Friends of Thai Daughters foundation, which seeks to prevent child trafficking by empowering girls from hill tribe communities.

The foundation, registered in the United States as a not-for-profit, and created by its current directors, Patty Zinkowski and Jane McBride, issued a statement saying: “We are grateful that Visama Mae Chan will provide both sustainable income for the foundation and employment opportunities for some of our girls. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with Visama.”

VHG Asia’s co-founders Willem Niemeijer of YAANA Ventures and Christopher Stafford, who founded the luxury boutique hotel management firm The Occident & Orient Company, says that there is no other place else like Visama in northern Thailand

Niemeijer, who co-founded award winning ecolodges and tented camps in southern Thailand and Cambodia says that Visama Mae Chan guests can choose two- to four-day “journeys” at the lodge. Each journey is created around themes such as farm to table dining, Lanna cultural appreciation, artistic engagement, outdoor adventure and sightseeing experiences.

The luxury tents have hill tribe names such as “Akha”, “Lahu”, “Yao”, and “Hmong”, and range in size from 48 to 80 sqm, including a 12 or 20 sqm veranda. Standard amenities include air conditioning, phone, espresso machine, French press coffee pots, WiFi, rain showers, safety deposit box, refrigerator, his and her bathrobes and slippers, bathtub and 24 hour concierge, to name a few amenities.

One highlight is The Ambalama, a gathering place for storytelling and talks by guest speakers such as authors and historians. At the Reu Doo Gaan restaurant guests can sample the best of Lanna fare, local farm to table organic options and international favourites.

Chris Stafford, COO of VHG, and formerly of 137 Pillars Hotels, says activity options at the pioneering lodge will set it apart from any competition.

“We want to immerse guests in a fusion of luxury and Lanna culture set against the stunning backdrop of mythical mountains of the Golden Triangle,” he says.

Mr. Stafford says that event butlers offer guests private picnics, foraging, personalised arts and craft sessions, dining by design, meditation tutorials, and even archery. Visama Mae Chan will also invite guest speakers to talk on subjects such as wellness, sustainability and community.

Looking beyond the inaugural Mae Chan project, Niemeijer says: “At Visama we aim to meticulously design our camps to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, providing guests refreshing opportunities to connect with nature while enjoying modern amenities and world-class service.”

About Visama Hospitality Group

VHG Asia works closely with local communities and conservation organisations to protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and support economic development in the areas where it operates. This commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism creates a compelling investment opportunity for socially responsible investors who are looking for both financial returns and positive impact. As a leading luxury tented camp developer and operator in Asia with a proven track record, VHG offers a turnkey solution for investors who want to own a luxury tented camp in some of the region’s most captivating wilderness areas and beach destinations.

About Friends of Thai Daughters

Friends of Thai Daughters was established as a not-for-profit foundation in the United States in 2005 by Patty Zinkowski and Jane McBride. The charity provides education, safe shelter and emotional support to girls at risk of being trafficked in Northern Thailand. The foundation’s goal is to meet the needs and have a transformational impact in the lives of the most vulnerable. Girls typically enter the charity’s program through referrals from local officials or other NGOs. Over 125 girls, young women and their families have benefitted from the FTD program. Find out more at https://friendsofthaidaughters.org/about-us/