Who would have ever thought that Laos would one day be a part of the boutique hotel scene? The La Résidence Phou Vao is the newest luxury boutique hotel near the capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. The 32-room hotel got rave reviews from the NYT yesterday:
The hotel resembles a sprawling French colonial mansion, with bleached white walls, burnt sienna tile roofs, and spacious shuttered verandas. Narrow footpaths wind past crumbling Buddhist stupas and nearly overgrown gardens, leading to the hotel's spa. Service is fast and attentive without the over-the-top obsequiousness that sometimes becomes uncomfortable at luxury hotels in Asia.
And that's just some of the kind words the Grey Lady had for the resort. The reviewer, Joshua Kurlantzick, gave props to the wooden bed with "extremely soft sheets." And despite the mosquito netting, there were no bugs to be found. Holla'!
Strong water pressure, a therapeutic massage, wireless internet and an expansive room service menu also got rave reviews.
The town of Luang Prabang is about a mile walk yet the hotel can rent you a bicycle or shuttle you over there, should you want to avoid walking in the heat.
But the distance from town gives it the seclusion and surrounding fauna to make one feel less guilty about foregoing a cultural experience for at least a few days of the trip and lounging by the pool. Guests can hear morning chanting of monks and glimpse temples in the distance. Doubles start at $145 in low season.
Nine months ago we said Luang Prabang might be the next "it" place, now Sunday Times scribe Nick Middleton is writing about taking the slow boat to LP--sounds like this place is blowing up a bit.
The victorious communists weren't keen on western visitors. But over the past decade, the country has slowly opened. My goal, Luang Prabang, the former royal capital and heart of Buddhism, is the jewel in the Laotian crown. Life on the river passed in slow motion, an effect heightened by the captain cutting his engines each time we approached a smaller boat, saving it from engulfment in our wash.
Granted, the Sunday Times is usually first to break these hot international destinations, however, shortly there after every Williamsburg hipster and their significant other will be planning trips to said destination, and a couple months after that the US travel glossies will be on it, then the guidebooks, then South East Asian Disney will open there. Ok, ok, maybe we went a little far with that. Point is, it is time for you to bookmark a decent Luang Probang hotel, just in case.
Enter Grand Luang Prabang--young staff that speaks many languages, breakfast overlooking the Mekong River, just outside of town, mountain views. Hipsters, unite, come alive for the big fight to rock for you. In other words, hurry up, this hotel isn't plastered all over Flickr, but it will be soon enough.
Most hotels don't put a monkey on the front of their brochure: but then most hotels aren't at the gateway to the largest orang utan sanctuary in the world, Sepilok, where a conservation program encourages orang utans to come and go as they please. (Yes, the proper way to spell the name is with a space like Orang Utan. Or at least according to this zoo.)
They don't come as far as the Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu hotel, despite the enquiring orang utan faces in their advertising. This hotel is right in downtown Kota Kinabalu, a 2.5 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and the perfect base for exploring some great parts of Malaysia.
KK's the capital of the state of Sabah, on the northern end of the island of Borneo. Le Meridien boasts of its proximity to the beauty of Sabah, "the Land Below the Wind", and views across KK and the South China Sea. Not only that, they're close to beaches, golfing, shopping and "soft adventure." Er...what exactly do they mean by that: rock-climbing with cushions?
Luang Probang is on the cusp of being the next "it" place. But at the moment, still feels amazingly undiscovered. Think charming French colonial town, with a colorful Laotian flair... er, SE Asian uniqueness.
The town is a gem; nestled along the banks of the Mekong, locals and tourists walk or cycle down lanes draped in beauganvillia and past magnificent temples.
Where to stay? In town of course, at the former residence of Prince Souvannaphouma. The Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel is now a resort of enchantment, recognized by Conde Nast's 2005 "Hot List" and is located near JOMA, a great French bakery.
So only one room has an en suite bath. You don't go to Laos for Jacuzzis. But if you are interested in spa treatment, this hotel's spa was also on Conde Nast's list of Hot Places.
Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel is offering a Cultural Treasures Package that includes discounts on spa treatments, bike rentals, free breakfast for two, airport transfers, and accommodation at two nights for the price of one.
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by ced138
