Situated on a verdant peninsula on the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang is one in all the must-see destinations in Laos.
The Emerald City was the country’s royal seat until 1975 – beloved by monarchs (and later colonial rulers) attributable to its proximity to the Silk Road, sacred Buddhist temples and exquisite landscapes.
Now the resort has welcomed a brand new jewel within the crown of its luxury hotel offering with the opening of Avani+ Luang Prabang this month.
This flagship property in Avani Hotels & Resorts’ latest elevated Avani+ portfolio offers the proper mix of heritage-led design and programming and thoroughly modern amenities.
This former French officers’ quarters now houses 53 spacious suites centered around a sparkling infinity pool. Inside, each offers a quiet nod to the region’s wealthy history with neoclassical architecture, French-colonial decor, and Zen-inspired minimalist touches.
If you don’t need to chill off with a dip within the pool or loosen up with a conventional Laotian massage on the spa, guests can take a brief walk or bike ride into the guts of town.
There, they may have the opportunity to look at monks in saffron robes pass by the gleaming gold of the monastery of Wat Xien Thong, or Haw Pha Bang – the temple built for Phra Bang Buddha, after whom town is known as.
For a taste of the sacred rivers that shape this region, guests may book one in all the boats for a personal waterway cruise that stops downstream on the otherworldly Kuang Si Waterfalls or heads upstream to distant island sanctuaries and the famous Pak Caves Ou.
For dinner, guests can sample French and Laotian cuisine within the hotel’s bistro, or admire the river views on a leisurely dinner cruise.
Jostling with locals on the night market to sample traditional grilled eggs, sausages and coconut pancakes, before heading out for a night drink on the hotel’s Bistro bar, can also be a must-see experience.
Originally written by Phoebe Neuman at Robb Report
