Pros

  • Stylish, spacious suites with espresso machines and iPod docks
  • Two serene swimming pools surrounded by comfy lounge chairs
  • Free daily breakfast buffet
  • Charming spa with peaceful treatment rooms
  • All rooms have large terraces with cozy sunbeds
  • French and Lao fusion restaurant
  • Doc Champa bar includes an open-air lounge
  • Best views in town from both rooms and common areas
  • Free bicycles and shuttle to town for guests
  • Fitness center on-site
  • Free Wi-FI
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Cons

  • Far from city center and historic area
  • On top of a hill, so no other restaurants, bars, or shops around
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Bottom Line

The 34-room Belmond La Residence Phou Vao is an upscale hotel located on top of a hill overlooking Luang Prabang, providing the best views of the countryside. All of the rooms here are suites, with fine wood floors, sofas, and Terazzo baths plus modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. The hotel has two infinity-edge swimming pools, a fitness center, and a charming spa with private treatment rooms. For dining, there's a top notch French/Lao restaurant as well as an atmospheric bar. The resort is out of the center of town and far from the historic district, but there are free bicycles and a free shuttle for guests to use. 

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Scene

Elegant, upscale, expensive property overlooking the city

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao is an elegant and artistic property overlooking the city. The hotel pays incredible attention to small details, noted by all the intricate flower petal arrangements that can be found all over the hotel. The fine wood floor lobby has brass pots on the wall, Lao silks and textiles, and small vases and bowls with flower petals laid out in design in just about every corner. Even the stairways here feature small wooden baskets with flower petals. The lobby leads into the stylish library, filled with more wood furnishing and art objects, plus bookcases and games. The bar and restaurant adjoins the library, and has large rattan chairs with comfortable cushions. The rest of the property is made up of lush gardens, meandering down to the somewhat hidden and charming spa area, where there is a small infinity pool and some cozy traditional Lao houses which contain the private spa rooms. It's both a sophisticated and yet relaxing property at the same time, and seeks to pamper its well off and discerning guests. Kids are welcome here but the majority of visitors are couples. 

See More Scene

Location

On top of a hill with the best views in town, but far from historic area and city center

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao sits on top of a hill overlooking Luang Prabang and is home to the best views in town. The hotel is accessed up a steep road leading from a busy thoroughfare below, and then down a private drive. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the airport, but is not within walking distance of the town center or historic area of Luang Prabang. However the hotel does provide a free shuttle and bicycles for guests to use. The other problem with the hilltop location is that there are no other bars or restaurants or shops nearby other than what is in the hotel. 

See More Location

Rooms

All rooms are spacious suites and include espresso machines and balconies

All the rooms at the Belmond La Residence Phou Vao are suites with the same features and amenities, the only difference is the views. The entry level Garden View Junior Suites look out at the lush grounds below, and like all rooms, have rosewood and natural textile furnishings, cotton sofas, coffee tables, and writing desks. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, espresso machines, and Terazzo bathtubs with a built-in showerhead. There is a private terrace with comfy daybeds, and the rooms come with free Wi-Fi. The next category up are the Mountain View Junior Suites which have the same layout but overlook the mountains from the terrace. The Mountain Pool Junior Suites look out at the infinity-edge pool and the mountains in the distance. The highest category Phou Vao Suite has a double bedroom and separate living room.

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Features

Upscale French/Lao restaurant, two swimming pools, great spa, large library, and free shuttle to town

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao really shines with its features, offering far more than most other properties in town. The hotel has two swimming pools, a big infinity-edge pool overlooking the town and mountains, surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas, and the hidden small spa pool, down in a quiet niche by the spa. The tranquil spa consists of several charming old Lao houses, has private rooms, and features a wooden bathtub on a bamboo screened deck. The hotel also has a good fitness center with LifeFitness cardio equipment and ample light. There's a large library, which has books, chess boards, Monopoly and Scrabble, and a computer and printer for guests to use. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The Phou Savanh restaurant is one of Luang Prabang's best. It has inventive French cuisine along with a Lao menu. They serve exotic dishes like goat cheese ravioli or Mekong river fish in a coconut based soup. Breakfast buffet is included in the room rate. The adjoining Dok Champa bar has large rattan chairs to recline in and looks out over the pool. The resort also provides guests with free bicycles to use throughout their stay, along with a free shuttle service to town on call throughout the day. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Also Known As

  • La Residence Phou Vao by Orient-Express

Address

Luang Prabang 84330, Laos

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Scene

Elegant, upscale, expensive property overlooking the city

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao is an elegant and artistic property overlooking the city. The hotel pays incredible attention to small details, noted by all the intricate flower petal arrangements that can be found all over the hotel. The fine wood floor lobby has brass pots on the wall, Lao silks and textiles, and small vases and bowls with flower petals laid out in design in just about every corner. Even the stairways here feature small wooden baskets with flower petals. The lobby leads into the stylish library, filled with more wood furnishing and art objects, plus bookcases and games. The bar and restaurant adjoins the library, and has large rattan chairs with comfortable cushions. The rest of the property is made up of lush gardens, meandering down to the somewhat hidden and charming spa area, where there is a small infinity pool and some cozy traditional Lao houses which contain the private spa rooms. It's both a sophisticated and yet relaxing property at the same time, and seeks to pamper its well off and discerning guests. Kids are welcome here but the majority of visitors are couples. 

See More Scene

Location

On top of a hill with the best views in town, but far from historic area and city center

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao sits on top of a hill overlooking Luang Prabang and is home to the best views in town. The hotel is accessed up a steep road leading from a busy thoroughfare below, and then down a private drive. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the airport, but is not within walking distance of the town center or historic area of Luang Prabang. However the hotel does provide a free shuttle and bicycles for guests to use. The other problem with the hilltop location is that there are no other bars or restaurants or shops nearby other than what is in the hotel. 

See More Location

Rooms

All rooms are spacious suites and include espresso machines and balconies

All the rooms at the Belmond La Residence Phou Vao are suites with the same features and amenities, the only difference is the views. The entry level Garden View Junior Suites look out at the lush grounds below, and like all rooms, have rosewood and natural textile furnishings, cotton sofas, coffee tables, and writing desks. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, espresso machines, and Terazzo bathtubs with a built-in showerhead. There is a private terrace with comfy daybeds, and the rooms come with free Wi-Fi. The next category up are the Mountain View Junior Suites which have the same layout but overlook the mountains from the terrace. The Mountain Pool Junior Suites look out at the infinity-edge pool and the mountains in the distance. The highest category Phou Vao Suite has a double bedroom and separate living room.

See More Rooms

Features

Upscale French/Lao restaurant, two swimming pools, great spa, large library, and free shuttle to town

The Belmond La Residence Phou Vao really shines with its features, offering far more than most other properties in town. The hotel has two swimming pools, a big infinity-edge pool overlooking the town and mountains, surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas, and the hidden small spa pool, down in a quiet niche by the spa. The tranquil spa consists of several charming old Lao houses, has private rooms, and features a wooden bathtub on a bamboo screened deck. The hotel also has a good fitness center with LifeFitness cardio equipment and ample light. There's a large library, which has books, chess boards, Monopoly and Scrabble, and a computer and printer for guests to use. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The Phou Savanh restaurant is one of Luang Prabang's best. It has inventive French cuisine along with a Lao menu. They serve exotic dishes like goat cheese ravioli or Mekong river fish in a coconut based soup. Breakfast buffet is included in the room rate. The adjoining Dok Champa bar has large rattan chairs to recline in and looks out over the pool. The resort also provides guests with free bicycles to use throughout their stay, along with a free shuttle service to town on call throughout the day. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Spa

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.