The Taste of Place: Anantara Marks 25 Years with Signature Culinary Experiences

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 flavour. 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 travellers.

The southern coast of Sri Lanka holds its flavours 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 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 colour and flavour. 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 29 September and 4 October, guests can partake in the annual World Gourmet Festival at Anantara Siam, experiencing a curated programme of chef-hosted dinners, one-night-only collaborations and immersive dining journeys that celebrate the creativity, diversity and craftsmanship of global cuisine.

In Vietnam, rice is central to culture – a story of land, labour and identity. Anantara Quy Nhon Villas takes 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 practised by hand. Here, guests can learn each delicate step of the process, demonstrated and shared. This continues with a visit to a second family for a tasting of traditional rice wine. The experience closes back at the resort, where guests create their own rice wine cocktails while 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 experience 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.

Explore the full collection at anantara.com/en/25th-anniversary-experiences

A luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, 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 recognises its guests through one unified loyalty programme, Minor DISCOVERY, part of GHA DISCOVERY.

Visit anantara.com for more information, and connect with Anantara on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.