Old world charm
In 2015, Luang Prabang was named Best City in the Wanderlust Travel Awards. The beauty of this city, which was founded approximately 1,200 years ago, lies in its ancient temples and buildings built during French rule. Luang Prabang maintains its traditions even while it seamlessly adapts to new technologies, a feat that never fails to impress its many visitors.
Belmond La Residence Phou Vao, a five-star resort hotel, occupies the royal summer palace of an ancient Lao dynasty. Each room is extraordinarily large and beautifully decorated in teak, with great views of gardens and mountains. The inviting 13m infinity pool overlooks the old town and mist-shrouded mountains, and guests can order drinks from Doc Champa Bar.
The range of relaxing treatments at the spa includes a variety of aromatherapy massages that vary in length from 60 to 90 minutes as well as the traditional Laos massage.
Food is also a draw. At Phou Savanh restaurant, local produce is used in the Asian and Western dishes. Glass walls give stunning views over the surrounding mountains, and a meal here can be considered as yet another highlight of your holiday in Luang Prabang.
The resort’s location on a hill should not stop guests from venturing down to Luang Prabang to explore its many historical attractions. Although the resort is not too far from the city centre, a shuttle service to and from Luang Prabang is available on request at any time of the day or night.
In the mornings, the resort will ferry interested guests to the city to prepare for the traditional almsgiving ceremony – a Buddhist practice to gain merit by making offerings to the monks. Many tourists consider this the highlight of their visit to Luang Prabang.
The Mekong river is a beautiful and traditional alternative to explore the area. Belmond La Residence Phou Vao offers a scenic cruise in a luxury boat, complete with refreshments, an incredible atmosphere and spectacular views of the Mekong. A charming mixture of East meets West, Belmond La Residence Phou Vao provides the ultimate in relaxing getaways with its magical views, stunning rooms and a unique location in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.
