The Group:  Located in main-stream as well unusual resort locations across Abu Dhabi, Thailand, the Maldives and Bali Anantara Resorts are at the high end of eco-chic . Little Sister to Four Seasons in Thailand the group offers a less opulent level of luxury than Four Seasons but aims to combine good locations with personal service and stylish resorts. In Sanskrit Anantara means "without end" or more specifically 'borderless water"

There is a sense of laid-back luxury at Anantara but by drawing inspiration from the rich culture and natural beauty of the locations. You'll find all the usual resort services such as beach bars, fitness centres, boutique shopping areas and the almost obligatory infinity pools

Guests are encouraged to enjoy local customs through cooking classes, market visits, fruit carving and even instruction in the traditional martial art of Muay Thai. Discover further local traditions at the Anantara Spa which will leave you serene after a hard day of market bartering or gourmet cooking.

The Luxury Travel Bible particularly likes the hotel's elephant camp at Anantara Golden Triangle which is an unforgettable experience and applauds the Asian Elephant Foundation funded jointly by Anantara and Four Seasons in the Golden Triangle area of north Thailand.

The Creation:  Anantara started in 2001 with the launch of the first resort in Thailand's Hua Hin. Since then the group has grown through Thailand and in 2006 the group went international when the Anantara Maldives opened its doors. The group continues to go from strength to strength with three more hotels and resorts planned to open over the coming years and an agreement with the five star Kempinski hotel group to undergo a number of joint developments worldwide. Anantara is owned by Minor International , Thailand's leading hotel operator with a portfolio of 16 hotels and over 2,400 rooms under the Anantara, Marriott, Four Seasons, and Minor International brands. It is also one of the largest spa operators in Asia Pacific with spas in Thailand, China, the Middle East, Africa and the Maldives under the Mandara and Anantara brands.

New Hotels: Oman - Anantara Al Madina A'Zarqa (Early 2011), China - Anantara Sanya (Early 2011) Kihavah (July 2010), Maldives.