Pros

  • Extremely elegant and upscale hotel
  • Charming restaurant offers high-end Lao and international cuisine
  • One of Luang Prabang's best swimming pools on-site
  • Organic garden out back used by restaurant for al fresco dining
  • All suite rooms are extremely spacious, with luxe decor and large TVs
  • Free breakfast included in rates
  • Colonial bar has a cozy vibe
  • Free bicycles and free tuk tuk shuttle to town
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Cons

  • Standard Pioneer Suites don't have bathtubs
  • One of the most expensive properties in Luang Prabang
  • Not near the historic zone of town, and not many restaurants and shops in this neighborhood
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Bottom Line

The Luang Say Residence is an upscale and refined historic boutique hotel in Luang Prabang. There are only 24 rooms here, comprised of elegant suites set in five French colonial pavilions surrounded by lush gardens. The hotel is located just outside the center of town -- too far to walk from the UNESCO heritage area and main temples -- but it's only a 10-minute bicycle ride (provided free by the hotel) or a quick drive to them in the free tuk tuk shuttle. The resort has a charming and stylish restaurant serving sumptuous free breakfasts and fancy Lao and western cuisine for lunch and dinner, and the Luang Say has one of Luang Prabang's nicest pools. There is also a nostalgic 1861 Bar, themed like the rest of the hotel, on the first French explorers to come to Indochina. While the resort if quite stylish and befitting royalty, it comes at a steep price tag. Only the Amantaka charges more.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

The Luang Say Residence

Scene

French colonial style, with lovely gardens and plenty of nostalgia

The Luang Say is stately and stylish, from the minute you arrive through the gates and enter the French colonial pavilion that houses the lobby and the upper floor Explorator Suites. The hotel is themed upon the early French explorers who traveled through this part of Indochina, and there are photos on the wall of travels of yesteryear, old maps, and artifacts -- from ancient ethnic hunting weapons, to cases of butterflies from collections, to lots of eye-catching art pieces. The lobby has a checkered floor, with a wooden staircase leading up to the open balcony above, from where one can look down on the lobby. 

The elegant Belle Epoque restaurant is entered through large glass shuttered doors from the lobby, which then leads out into the gardens and on to the other colonial buildings which house the Pioneer Suites. In the manicured gardens one can find statues of the old French explorers, along with an organic garden where they grow produce for the restaurant. Add on the exquisite pool which reflects the sophisticated buildings and you start to get a sense of just how attentive to detail every aspect of the property has been made. 

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Location

The hotel is located five to 10 minutes out of the town center in quiet neighborhood. Bicycling is the best way to get around.

The Luang Say Residence is located slightly outside of the town center of Luang Prabang. It is too far to walk to the old historic district and main temple area, but it's only a 10-minute bicycle ride or one can take the free tuk tuk shuttle service the hotel provides. It is a 15-minute drive to the airport from here. The hotel is on a quiet street that sees little traffic, especially at night, and it is a great escape from the crowds, yet still not too far removed. One blemish on the location is that there are not many restaurants or bars right in the neighborhood, so one needs to go to town for this. 

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Rooms

French colonial decor, fine wood floors, divans, huge flat-screen TVs, and poster beds with mosquito netting

There are only 24 suites at the Luang Say Residence, with 20 of them being Pioneer Suites and then there are 4 upscale Explorator Suites. The rooms are all incredibly spacious, with fine wood Lao floors and French colonial decor. There are large poster beds in every suite, elegant sofas, rattan topped tables, wood writing desks, high ceilings, and a choice of both air-conditioning and fans. Paintings and art objects decorate the rooms, and even the enormous flat-screen televisions have wooden painting frames around them. Other amenities include hot water kettles for coffee and tea (with French presses for making the provided gourmet coffee), stocked mini-fridges, safe boxes, robes and slippers, and plenty of closet space. There are terraces to relax on looking over the gardens, and beds come with giant mosquito netting to ensure undisturbed sleep. The bathrooms are some of the largest in town, and have plenty of Luang Say toiletries, rainfall showers, and lots of mirrors. The facilities are truly luxurious, although for the pricetag, there ought to be large bathtubs included in all -- but only the higher-end Explorator Suites have them. Those suites also have lounge areas, double vanity units, and private garden terraces overlooking the property, plus almost double the space of the Pioneer suites. All suites come with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

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Features

Large swimming pool, organic garden, colonial bar, upscale restaurant, and free bicycles

The Luang Say has one of the best swimming pools in Luang Prabang, big enough to swim some laps, with a spacious area with sun loungers to relax in. There is the upscale Belle Epoque restaurant here, which serves Lao cuisine as well as international dishes. The restaurant serves up Lao specialties like pla ob samun prai (fish filet in parchment) and also offers items like foie gras and pan-seared scallops on the extensive menu. The free breakfasts for guests include excellent eggs benedict. The 1861 Bar has a colonial feel, with a marble fireplace, plush armchairs, and ethnic hunting weapons and regalia of the early explorers that came to the area. The resort has lush grounds and there is even an organic garden out back which grows vegetables and spices that the restaurant uses for its dishes. The hotel also has free bicycles for guests to use, as well as a free tuk tuk shuttle service on call.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

The Luang Say Residence

Scene

French colonial style, with lovely gardens and plenty of nostalgia

The Luang Say is stately and stylish, from the minute you arrive through the gates and enter the French colonial pavilion that houses the lobby and the upper floor Explorator Suites. The hotel is themed upon the early French explorers who traveled through this part of Indochina, and there are photos on the wall of travels of yesteryear, old maps, and artifacts -- from ancient ethnic hunting weapons, to cases of butterflies from collections, to lots of eye-catching art pieces. The lobby has a checkered floor, with a wooden staircase leading up to the open balcony above, from where one can look down on the lobby. 

The elegant Belle Epoque restaurant is entered through large glass shuttered doors from the lobby, which then leads out into the gardens and on to the other colonial buildings which house the Pioneer Suites. In the manicured gardens one can find statues of the old French explorers, along with an organic garden where they grow produce for the restaurant. Add on the exquisite pool which reflects the sophisticated buildings and you start to get a sense of just how attentive to detail every aspect of the property has been made. 

See More Scene

Location

The hotel is located five to 10 minutes out of the town center in quiet neighborhood. Bicycling is the best way to get around.

The Luang Say Residence is located slightly outside of the town center of Luang Prabang. It is too far to walk to the old historic district and main temple area, but it's only a 10-minute bicycle ride or one can take the free tuk tuk shuttle service the hotel provides. It is a 15-minute drive to the airport from here. The hotel is on a quiet street that sees little traffic, especially at night, and it is a great escape from the crowds, yet still not too far removed. One blemish on the location is that there are not many restaurants or bars right in the neighborhood, so one needs to go to town for this. 

See More Location

Rooms

French colonial decor, fine wood floors, divans, huge flat-screen TVs, and poster beds with mosquito netting

There are only 24 suites at the Luang Say Residence, with 20 of them being Pioneer Suites and then there are 4 upscale Explorator Suites. The rooms are all incredibly spacious, with fine wood Lao floors and French colonial decor. There are large poster beds in every suite, elegant sofas, rattan topped tables, wood writing desks, high ceilings, and a choice of both air-conditioning and fans. Paintings and art objects decorate the rooms, and even the enormous flat-screen televisions have wooden painting frames around them. Other amenities include hot water kettles for coffee and tea (with French presses for making the provided gourmet coffee), stocked mini-fridges, safe boxes, robes and slippers, and plenty of closet space. There are terraces to relax on looking over the gardens, and beds come with giant mosquito netting to ensure undisturbed sleep. The bathrooms are some of the largest in town, and have plenty of Luang Say toiletries, rainfall showers, and lots of mirrors. The facilities are truly luxurious, although for the pricetag, there ought to be large bathtubs included in all -- but only the higher-end Explorator Suites have them. Those suites also have lounge areas, double vanity units, and private garden terraces overlooking the property, plus almost double the space of the Pioneer suites. All suites come with free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

See More Rooms

Features

Large swimming pool, organic garden, colonial bar, upscale restaurant, and free bicycles

The Luang Say has one of the best swimming pools in Luang Prabang, big enough to swim some laps, with a spacious area with sun loungers to relax in. There is the upscale Belle Epoque restaurant here, which serves Lao cuisine as well as international dishes. The restaurant serves up Lao specialties like pla ob samun prai (fish filet in parchment) and also offers items like foie gras and pan-seared scallops on the extensive menu. The free breakfasts for guests include excellent eggs benedict. The 1861 Bar has a colonial feel, with a marble fireplace, plush armchairs, and ethnic hunting weapons and regalia of the early explorers that came to the area. The resort has lush grounds and there is even an organic garden out back which grows vegetables and spices that the restaurant uses for its dishes. The hotel also has free bicycles for guests to use, as well as a free tuk tuk shuttle service on call.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • 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.