La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang — Hotel in Luang Prabang

It was hard to find a suitable location for this particular family holiday. We had been on separate Asian explorations and various work secondments. The idea was to pick one place in South East Asia to regroup. We wanted somewhere to explore, slowly, and in depth. We wanted a hotel that offered some essence of the place, rather than bland luxury. La Residence Phou Vao proved to be an ideal choice. I'm not sure if the architecture is old and restored or new and recently aged, however the atmosphere on arrival is of peace and serenity, at some remove from the old town. There are sweeping views over the nearby hills and temples. It's a scene of polished hard wood floors, swishing fans and open sided pavilions. There are extensive tropical gardens, with a scattering of ponds and buddhas. ||The bedrooms were extremely comfortable, with high ceilings and spacious bathrooms. The first floor rooms had the same sweeping views of the surroundings as the lobby and main pool. The restaurant served a delicious fusion version of Laotian cuisine. The service was attentive and kind, with every effort made to adapt the menu to various likes and dislikes. There is enough variety on the menu to last for a prolonged stay. The Mekong Spa had a number of locally influenced treatments. The spa is another good reason to spend a relaxing day around the grounds of the hotel and to slow down to Laos speed. ||If I had to think of a few random highlights: one would be the bonfire that is lit every night in mid winter. We loved having a herbal tea before bed and planning our next day around the fire. We also met some interesting other guests at this spot. Another highlight would be the hotel mini van which was on call throughout the day and evening. Having the hotel van appear in some obscure spot after a day of exploration was always a welcome sight. Andrei the manager was a great help. He persuaded us to add the elephants and the water buffalo farm to our Mekong river trip and that proved to be an unexpected highlight. Andrei also helped with some recommendations for eating in town. Manda de Laos was particularly popular with family members. Andrei can often be found welcoming guests with a brief outbreak of Laotian drumming, which is another unique feature! I really think that La Residence offers Laos in a nutshell and it is definitely in the upper tier of our favourite family...

La Résidence Phou Vao is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Luang Prabang, Laos. The hotel is set in a beautiful garden and offers stunning views of the city. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, and the staff are attentive and welcoming. The hotel has a number of amenities, including a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant.

I had the pleasure of visiting La Résidence Phou Vao for two days, and I was absolutely blown away by the experience. The hotel is simply stunning, and the staff are some of the most friendly and helpful I've ever encountered. I felt like I was truly pampered during my visit, and I would highly recommend La Résidence Phou Vao to anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable experience in Laos.

Here are some of the highlights of my visit:

The garden is absolutely beautiful. It is full of lush greenery, flowers, and a koi pond. I loved spending time walking through the garden and admiring the plants and flowers.

The small lake is also very peaceful. I enjoyed sitting by the lake and taking in the views of the city.

The yoga shala is a great place to relax and unwind. I enjoyed taking a yoga class at the shala, and I found it to be a great way to start my day.

The spa is amazing. I had a wonderful visit and. tour of the spa, and I felt completely relaxed afterwards even without getting an actual service this visit. Now, that speaks volumes!

Last but not least, the food at La Résidence Phou Vao was simply delectable. The chef takes great care in creating each dish, and it shows. The food is like a work of art, and it is sure to please even the most discerning palate. I highly recommend trying at least one meal at La Résidence Phou Vao. It is an explosion of flavor and a culinary delight.

Overall, I had an absolutely amazing experience at La Résidence Phou Vao. It is a truly luxurious hotel with excellent service. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special place to visit in...

I honestly have no idea how this hotel has received anything but a 5 star review. We just returned from a three night stay here and everything, every single detail, was perfection.

The hotel is in prime location - situated just outside the town center but with a short, complimentary 5-minute ride to town available from the hotel upon request. The view from the restaurant, pool, and rooms are stunning.

Every meal we had at the hotel we found ourselves saying it was the best thing we had eaten on our entire trip. The breakfast was the most gourmet experience - the service from the entire staff is unlike anything we've encountered at any hotel before. Saw, Philip, Meng - the amount of care and attention in each meal is remarkable. The presentation is surpassed only by the taste and quality of ingredients.

Of all the things that make Phou Vao special I must say that the staff and service are what sets it apart. They genuinely make you feel like family. From morning bike rides with Chongtree, daily interactions with Bay and Andrei the manager, and the alms giving experience with Vilai - spending time with the staff, hearing about their culture and background, was truly one of our favorite parts.

For us, we'll measure every special hotel we stay at going forward versus Phou Vao. There was life before this stay, and life after, and I'm a little worried they've messed us up for anywhere we stay down the road. We will never forget this stay - the simplicity, serenity, and beauty of the hotel, coupled with the wonderful people that make it so special, are something we will look back on with the fondest of memories for a...