La Résidence Phou Vao
Quiet, colonial-meets-Lao-traditional hilltop retreat. Spread across four two-storey buildings in lush gardens. French Art de Vivre sensibility with deep local character — incense, teak, hand-woven textiles, and genuine Buddhist ceremony experiences. Sophisticated without being stuffy.
Ask for a Mountain View Suite or Phou Si Temple Suite — they look directly at the illuminated Phousi Temple at night
Why It Matters
Consistently ranked #1 hotel in Luang Prabang across 13 major publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Frommer's, and Rough Guide. TripAdvisor Best of the Best 2025. Formerly a Belmond property — the first luxury resort in Luang Prabang, setting the Indochinese revival template. The Mekong Spa was named Best Spa in Asia by Condé Nast. Location on Phou Vao hill means panoramic sacred-mountain views that nothing in the town center can match.
La Résidence Phou Vao sits on Phou Vao hill — the Hill of the Kite — with 34 suites across three acres of tropical gardens, about 2 km outside Luang Prabang's UNESCO-listed old town. The architecture is traditional Laotian: teak floors, rosewood furniture, silk textiles, and large windows that pull in unobstructed mountain views. A 13-metre freshwater infinity pool floats on the cliff edge, the award-winning Mekong Spa tucks beside a waterlily pond, and the Tam Nan restaurant serves heritage-driven Lao cuisine with views of Mount Phousi.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Garden Heritage Suite
Ground or upper floor suites surrounded by lush tropical gardens with a private terrace. The quietest and most tucked-away option — good for anyone who wants maximum green-garden seclusion. No mountain panoramas, but excellent privacy and a meditative garden outlook.
King or Twin (on request) · 55 sqm
Mountain View Suite
Elevated suites looking out over the old town, Phousi temple, and the mountain backdrop beyond. The views from the private balcony are the main event here — day beds on the verandah face directly toward Mount Phousi, particularly spectacular at golden hour.
King or Twin (on request) · 55 sqm
Phou Si Temple Suite
Formerly called the Mountain & Pool View Junior Suite. These suites look directly over the infinity pool toward the sacred Phousi Temple — the temple illuminates at night, making this the most dramatic room view in the hotel. Travel + Leisure specifically called out this category for its nighttime view.
King or Twin (on request) · 55 sqm
Phou Vao Grand Heritage Suite
The largest accommodation at the property. A two-bedroom layout with a separate living room — the only suite category with dual bedrooms, making it ideal for families or couples travelling together. At 65 sqm it's meaningfully more spacious than the standard 55 sqm suites.
Two bedrooms (King beds) · 65 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Private boat on the Mekong with afternoon tea and sparkling wine. Includes a stop at a viewpoint for the sunset. Staff and a drummer perform a local song during the cruise.
Morning cruise on the hotel's exclusive long boat down the Mekong River. Breakfast paired with views of the passing jungle and a glass of sparkling wine. Departs at dawn to catch early morning calm.
Starts at 7:30am or 4:30pm with a visit to the local market alongside the chef's team. Guests select fresh ingredients, then learn to prepare three classic Lao dishes: orlam stew, Mekong fish larb, and the hotel's signature papaya salad. Techniques include sun-drying, bamboo-on-charcoal cooking, and wok frying.
Full-day visit to Manifa Elephant Sanctuary. Includes an introduction to elephant behaviour, a boat crossing of the Nam Khan River, feeding and jungle walking with the elephants, preparing digestive treats, and a 1km trek along Hoy Kang stream.
Luxury long boat cruise on the Mekong to the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves — limestone caverns housing around 4,000 Buddha statues. Includes songs and drumming from hotel staff, a picnic lunch on a private sandy island, and a nature expert guide throughout.
An immersive look into the Lao way of life, learning how rice — central to the local culture and diet — is grown and harvested.
Private dinner for two beside the lily pond. Oil lanterns, torches, and fire pits set the scene. Live Laotian musicians perform on arrival. A private chef and personal crew serve a five-course signature feast. Champagne included.
Early morning almsgiving ritual. Guests join the hotel's culinary team to make traditional sticky rice, share Lao coffee by the fireplace, hear cultural stories, and then venture into Luang Prabang for the ceremony. Concludes with a breakfast offering to monks at Wat Nong temple.
A traditional Lao blessing ceremony performed on-site at the hotel for arriving or departing guests. One of the hotel's signature cultural touches — complimentary and arranged through the concierge.
29km journey from the hotel to the three-tiered Kuang Si Waterfalls (Tat Kuang Si). Starts at dawn. Guests explore nature reserve trails, swim in the turquoise pools, and enjoy a chef-prepared breakfast picnic. Return journey stops at local villages known for embroidery handicrafts.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Light-filled library-style meeting room equipped with projector, screen, flipchart, and Wi-Fi. Suitable for small gatherings of 30–50 guests. Private garden can host cocktail receptions for up to 30.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property.
In-room dining menu available for all suites.
Babysitting available at surcharge. Children stay free.
Fully equipped fitness centre / health club on the property.
24-hour multilingual front desk. Concierge assists with tours, tickets, dry cleaning, and luggage storage.
Daily housekeeping and nightly turndown service included in all suites.
Non-alcoholic minibar replenished daily in all suites. Included in Early Bird and Lao New Year packages; standard for all rooms per the suite listing.
The hotel's 13-metre freshwater pool stops dramatically at the cliff edge, overlooking the mountains. Pool bar service, loungers with mountain views. Children under 12 must have adult supervision.
A second smaller pool within the Mekong Spa precinct, alongside hot bath and cold dipping pool.
On-site boutique selling local handicrafts, jewellery, and traditional textiles — Lao silk and woven goods.
Free self-parking on property. RV, bus, and truck parking also available.
Free use of bicycles for exploring Luang Prabang.
Free shuttle service to and from Luang Prabang old town, running 9:00am–9:00pm daily.
Complimentary round-trip airport and railway station transfers. Available 24 hours. Contact hotel 72 hours prior to arrange.
Sauna and steam room available to guests, within the spa precinct.
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