About this hotel
General information
La Résidence Phou Vao crowns a hill above the old town of Luang Prabang, looking out over misty mountain ridges and Mount Phousi with its hilltop temple. The intimate hotel is built in a traditional Lao style and set in three acres of tropical gardens; interiors are dressed in teak, silk and cotton, with rosewood furniture and handwoven local textiles.
Every room is a suite, which keeps the mood quiet and unhurried. The centrepiece is a freshwater infinity pool that stops at the very edge of the slope, while the spa treats guests in the open air beside a waterlily pond. After dark, candles and lanterns hung in the trees light the gardens, and the hotel’s own long boat heads out on the Mekong for sunrise breakfasts and sunset sailings.
Location
The hotel sits on a hilltop 2 km from Luang Prabang’s UNESCO World Heritage old town and 4 km from Luang Prabang International Airport. Transfers from the airport or the railway station can be arranged, a complimentary shuttle runs to the town centre daily from 9am to 9pm, and bicycles are provided for exploring the old lanes.
Spa
Mekong Spa is open daily from 10am to 10pm and gives some of its treatments outdoors beside a waterlily pond. It has two single and two couples’ treatment rooms, an infinity pool, hot and cool baths, foot baths, a conservatory and a spa boutique. The menu draws on traditional Lao massage and locally sourced botanicals with a lemongrass note; the house products, made from organic Asian plant ingredients, are on sale, and therapists can tailor a treatment on request.
Sports & leisure
Guests have a fitness centre, the cliff-edge pool and complimentary bicycles. The hotel keeps its own long boat and runs several outings on the Mekong:
- First Light Breakfast Cruise — an early-morning sail with breakfast and sparkling wine
- Afternoon Tea & Sunset Cruise — tea and sparkling wine on board, a stop at a viewpoint for the sunset and a local song with drums
- a trip to the Pak Ou Caves aboard Long Boat du Phou Vao, with a nature guide and a chef-made picnic lunch on a sandy island
- a day at Kuang Si Falls — forest trails, a swim in the turquoise pools and a breakfast picnic from the chef
- cookery classes at 7.30am or 4.30pm — a market visit with the chef’s team, then three Lao dishes: orlam stew, Mekong fish larb and papaya salad
- Starlit Romance — a private five-course dinner by the pond under lanterns and torches, with a personal chef and Lao music
- a rice-farming experience and the hotel’s organic garden
A library-style meeting room and the poolside gardens host small weddings, celebrations and meetings for 30–50 guests.
Restaurants & bars
La Brasserie de La Résidence cooks from old Lao recipes and methods — slow braising, clay-pot dishes — and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in its dining room or on a terrace facing Mount Phousi; private dinners can also be laid in the gardens. Tuk Tuk Bar mixes inventive cocktails inspired by Laos and is open from 11am to 11pm.
Swimming
The 13-metre freshwater pool ends in an infinity edge right above the drop, with loungers facing the mountains and tropical gardens and drinks served poolside. Mekong Spa has an infinity pool of its own.
Rooms
All rooms are suites in four categories of 55–65 m², light-filled through large windows and brightened with flowers, fruit and handmade Lao textiles; they differ mainly in their outlook — gardens, old town, pool or Mount Phousi.
Each suite has rosewood furnishings, a complimentary minibar and bottled water replenished daily, evening turndown, an espresso machine, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, a sound system, a safe and a bathroom with a sculpted terrazzo bathtub, twin vanities and separate shower and toilet.
Garden Heritage Suite
A suite set among the tropical gardens, with a bedroom and sitting area and a private terrace. King-size bed.
Mountain View Suite
The bedroom and sitting area look across Luang Prabang’s old town to Mount Phousi and its temple, with mountains behind. Double bed or twin beds.
Phou Si Temple Suite
Views over the infinity pool to Mount Phousi and its temple, which glows above the lit pool at night. Double bed or twin beds.
Phou Vao Grand Heritage Suite
The hotel’s largest suite, overlooking the tropical gardens, with a king-size bedroom and a separate living room.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.