Worth getting out of bed for
Inspired by the subtle silks of Satri House? Release your inner weaver. Ock Pop Tok (+856 71 212 597; www.ockpoptok.com) runs weaving classes at its Living Crafts Centre, near the banks of the Mekong. Learn about natural dyes, weave a scarf or try making silk. Come on, Mr Smith, get with the programme – you can always fashion a tie.
Local restaurants
Glide effortlessly from your regal surrounds to aristo Lao cuisine at L’Elephant (+856 71 252 482; Ban Wat Nong; www.elephant-restau.com), considered one of the top tables in town by those in the know. The restaurant at The Apsara (+856 71 254 252; Kingkitsarath Road; www.theapsara.com) comes highly recommended for its upmarket take on Lao cuisine, such as the fried panin fish stuffed with lemongrass for two.
Local bars
Keep it in the family with a trip to Satri Lounge (+856 71 252 322; Sakkarine Road), very much a grown-up bar in a town full of flashpacker pubs and backpacker dives.
Local cafés
Satri House owner Lamphoune Voravongsa never stands still and her empire includes several shops in Dala Market. Browse the baubles before settling down at for a cup of Laotian java at Chillout Coffee (+856 71 261 006; Dala Market).
Diary
April Lao New Year, or Pi Mai, is celebrated for three days across the country, but in Luang Prabang the festivities can stretch for a week. Colourful street parades, including one that involves a sacred gold Buddha followed by monks holding black parasols, take place throughout. August Two festivals honouring the dead – Bun Salak and Bun Kao Pradab – occur concurrently this month. The highlight for visitors is the Nagas boat races on the Mekong. October Awk Phansao heralds the end of the rainy season and the monks, who’ve been confined to a temple throughout, leave their retreat and are presented with robes, alms bowls and other necessities. At the same time, the river comes alive with the Bun Nam boat races.
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Smith extra at Satri House
A Jet Lag massage for two in Satri House Spa.
