http://www.hotelchatter.com/ Hotel Reviews, Hotel Ratings, Hotel Openings en-us Copyright 2008 - SFO Media 2008-10-11T00:03:07Z HotelChatter HotelChatter http://www.hotelchatter.com/images/hcwhite.jpg http://www.hotelchatter.com/ http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/9/24/64423/1593 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/Villa_Maly_View.jpg" class="imgborder"><p> <p><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotels/city/la/Luang%20Prabang">Luang Prabang</a> in north-central Laos is a town we keep saying is really a place to visit, and now they're even getting <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/11/5/11626/1859/hotels/The_Newest_Luxury_Hotel_in_Luang_Prabang">yet another</a> boutique hotel. The <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Villa+Maly/local/1346"><b>Villa Maly</b></a> is due to open on October 1.<p>Since Luang Prabang is the old royal capital of Laos, then it's not so unusual to create a hotel out of the ex-residence of a local prince, which is what's happened with the Villa Maly. They've created 33 rooms spread across five buildings and it's all a mix of Laotian architecture and French and British colonial influences. Five of the rooms are deluxe and have their own balconies and views over the gardens and pool.<p>Villa Maly is modern enough, amandak 2008-09-24T11:30:17-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/11/5/11626/1859 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/luang_prabang.jpg" class="imgborder"><p>Who would have ever thought that Laos would one day be a part of the boutique hotel scene? <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/La+Residence+Phou+Vao/ian/235283"><b>The La R&#233;sidence Phou Vao</b></a> is the newest luxury boutique hotel near the capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. The 32-room hotel got rave reviews from the NYT yesterday: <blockquote><p>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.</blockquote></p><p> And that's just some of the kind words the Grey Lady had for the resort. The reviewer, ced138 2007-11-05T13:42:30-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/11/30/17299/728 <![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3/luang_probang.jpg"><p><br> Nine months ago <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/3/2/05830/19627/hotels/Luang_Probang_We_Love_It">we said</a> 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.<p> <blockquote><p> 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.<br> </blockquote><p> Granted, the Sunday Times is usually first to break these hot markj 2006-11-30T17:31:13-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/11/21/212426/18 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/orangutan.jpg"><p>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, <a href="http://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/sepliok.php">Sepilok</a>, 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.)<p> They don't come as far as the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1935&amp;EM=VTY_LM_kotakinabalu_1935"><b>Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu</b></a> 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.<br><br> KK's the capital of amandak 2006-11-22T09:41:36-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/3/2/05830/19627 <![CDATA[<img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/2474/pix_pool.jpg"><p> 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.<p> 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. <p> Where to stay? In town of course, at the former residence of Prince Souvannaphouma. <a href="http://coloursofangsana.com/souvannaphoum/index.htm"><b>The Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel</b></a> is now a resort of enchantment, recognized by Conde Nast's 2005 "Hot List" and is located near JOMA, a great French bakery. <p> So only one room has an en suite bath. You don't go to GEM0330 2006-03-02T09:17:04-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/