The Taste of Place: Anantara Marks 25 Years with Signature Culinary Experiences
From Sri Lanka’s spice trails to the rice fields of Vietnam, Anantara’s signature anniversary experiences invite guests to discover each destination through its flavors, traditions, and local hosts
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July 9, 2026: Twenty-five years since it was founded in Thailand, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, the experiential luxury brand of Minor Hotels, marks the milestone with a collection of signature anniversary experiences rooted in place, people, and flavor. Across three Asian destinations – Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam – the brand responds to what the Minor Hotels Travel Trends Report 2026 confirms: food is the primary gateway to culture for most travelers.
The Flavors of Southern Sri Lanka, Prepared and Shared by Those Who Know Them Best
The southern coast of Sri Lanka holds its flavors close. At Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Mama’s Kitchen explores local culinary secrets and village cooking culture with the resort’s local mamma. Here, guests participate in the preparation, hand-grinding spices and stewing slow-cooked curries, in the kamatha kitchen situated in the resort’s paddy field, learning the role each ingredient plays and the stories that accompany them.
At sister property Anantara Kalutara Resort, guests partner with the resort’s culinary team for the "25 Spices Table," an exploration of 25 indigenous herbs and spices, each used in the preparation of traditional local curries and each with a history worth knowing.
Bangkok's Flavors with Executive Chef Punn Akkawin
Bangkok’s reputation as a culinary capital is undisputed, recently securing the number two spot on Time Out’s Best Cities for Food 2026. At Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Executive Chef Punn Akkawin teaches guests how to create Thai dishes full of color and flavor. The experience begins with a morning market visit to select the fresh produce and aromatics that will define the meal. Guests return to The Spice Market, a Bangkok institution with more than 40 years of history in the Thai capital, to prepare three dishes under the chef’s guidance to enjoy for lunch.
For those visiting Bangkok between September 29 and October 4, guests can partake in the annual World Gourmet Festival at Anantara Siam, experiencing a curated program of chef-hosted dinners, one-night-only collaborations, and immersive dining journeys that celebrate the creativity, diversity, and craftsmanship of global cuisine.
The Story of Vietnamese Rice, Told by the Families Who Have Kept It Alive
Rice is not a backdrop to Vietnamese culture. It is the story itself: of land, labor, identity, and ingenuity. Anantara Quy Nhon Villastakes guests into the countryside to meet the families who keep centuries-old traditions alive. The first stop is a family where rice paper making is still practiced by hand. Here, guests can learn each delicate step of the process, demonstrated and shared. Guests then continue to a second family for a tasting of traditional rice wine before returning to the resort to create their own rice wine cocktails overlooking the ocean.
The route between Quy Nhon and Hoi An is an experience in its own right. The Vietage by Anantara connects the two properties in considered style, with locally sourced provisions on board, such as strawberries from Đà Lạt, regional teas, and locally produced gins that reflect the landscape en route.
At Anantara Hoi An Resort, the Taste of Hoi An street food experiences carries the narrative forward through the dishes that define the town.
Anantara’s signature anniversary experiences, including those featured above, are available across the brand’s portfolio throughout 2026. Each is specific to its destination and designed to offer a more considered way to encounter the places where Anantara hosts its guests.
A luxury hospitality brand for modern travelers, Anantara Hotels & Resorts connects guests to genuine places, people and stories in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Each Anantara embraces the surroundings and culture of its destination, creating unforgettable memories for every guest since 2001. From city to sea and desert to jungle, Anantara delivers heartfelt, Thai-inspired hospitality at its over 50 hotels and resorts across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
Anantara Hotels & Resorts is a Minor Hotels brand and recognizes its guests through one unified loyalty program, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.
Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences in operation and committed development across 66 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.
Minor Hotels is a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and recognizes its guests through one unified loyalty program, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.
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