Belmond La Residence, Phou Vao

Location 

Perched on a hill with commanding views of sacred Mount Phousi, Belmond La Residence Phou Vao sits just outside of Luang Prabang – close enough to explore the UNESCO-listed city but far enough away to offer total peace and tranquillity. Its gardens brim with palms, bougainvillea and frangipani, and its star attraction, the Mekong Spa, is set beside a beautiful waterlily pool. 

Accommodation 

With just 34 rooms and suites, this gem of a hotel is intimate by nature, an effect intensified by its French colonial charm and the twists and turns of the building itself. All Junior Suites, like the larger Garden Suites, feature a private terrace or balcony complete with day beds and views of the gardens or mountains, as well as king-size beds, rosewood furnishings, iHome docking systems, and spacious bathrooms with luxurious terrazzo baths.

Dining 

The restaurant here is considered one of the best in Luang Prabang, serving a sophisticated blend of Laotian and European dishes. Try the tiger prawn fricassee washed down by a Lao-Lao whiskey. For an evening drink, visit the Doc Champa Bar, which has large comfortable armchairs and a laidback open-air lounge. For something really special, take a seat at a private table in the garden for hotel’s speciality 500 Candle Dinner, an exclusive barbecue held in the half light of lanterns and candles.   

Facilities 

The gardens and infinity pool offer unsurpassed views of Luang Prabang, one of Asia’s most photogenic cities, and the award-winning spa offers custom-designed treatments and traditional Laotian remedies that use ingredients sourced from local organic farms. The cookery courses will have you rethinking how you stock your shelves at home, while an array of excursions includes sunset cruises, romantic picnics, village visits and tours of the Pak Ou caves, home to thousands of Buddhist icons.