Need to know
Rooms
34 suites.
Check–Out
Noon; and check-in is at 2pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability and an additional charge.
More details
Rates include breakfast, return airport and train station transfers, and daily shuttles into town (between 9am and 9pm).
Also
Unfortunately, steep terrain and a lack of adapted facilities makes La Résidence difficult if you have limited mobility.
At the hotel
Free-to-borrow bikes, three-acre garden, boutique, gym, charged laundry service and free WiFi throughout. In suites: TV, sound system, air-conditioning, minibar, tea- and coffee-making kit, free bottled water, bathrobes, slippers and organic bath products.
Our favourite rooms
All suites come with their own private balconies for view-dappled downtime, so your pick will depend on whether you’d rather be looking out over the fragrant gardens, across to the Old Quarter or at the gold-studded statues of Phou Si Temple. If you’re staying awhile and prefer a little extra space to play with, the Phou Vao Garden Suite is the most sprawling with a separate living and dining area.
Poolside
Anchoring the hotel’s courtyard and sculpted into the hillside, the 13-metre freshwater infinity pool lulls between preserved archways, tropical flowers and a sun-soaked line-up of cushy loungers that overlook the water and its enthralling Phou Si backdrop.
Spa
Ancient techniques form the healing foundation of the Mekong Spa — an award-winning space where lemongrass scents linger from tropical surroundings and traditional Lao therapies are performed with locally sourced botanicals and homemade scrubs. Alongside its trio of open-air treatment rooms, you’ll also find a steam room, a cold plunge and foot bath.
Packing tips
Receptivity to new experiences will serve you best here, with cultural immersion a core principle of personalised itineraries.
Also
All guests are welcomed with a drink in the Doc Champa Bar, but you'll findThere’s a small boutique by the spa, with a sweet selection of one-off handicrafts, jewellery and textiles from local Lao artisans.
Pet‐friendly
You'll have to leave pups at home, La Résidence Phou Vao is a pet-free retreat. See more pet-friendly hotels in Luang Prabang.
Children
Little Smiths are welcome, but this romantic retreat is better suited to couples.
Overview
Welcome. Baby cots are free, but extra beds for older kids will set you back US$60 a night. A babysitter is on tap for US$10 an hour.
Best for
Kids who don’t need a lot of flashy entertainment. This is a low-key destination.
Recommended rooms
All are quite spacious and can easily accommodate a baby cot or extra single bed.
Activities
This is a small city, so ask the concierge about getting your hands on some bikes to make the local wat-hopping a little more entertaining. Day trips involving elephant treks, rafting and hiking are a good distraction in the surrounding countryside.
Swimming pool
Children are quite welcome at the infinity pool. There is no shallow end but a lifeguard is on duty from 8am–6pm.
Meals
The kitchen staff is more than happy to cater to junior tastes during restaurant hours, and can heat baby milk and food when necessary, or make up packed lunches. There are no high chairs.
Babysitting
Give the staff at least two hours’ notice and someone can look after the littlies for US$10 an hour.
No need to pack
Baby cots, provided free.
Also
Extra beds for older kids cost US$60 a night.
Sustainability efforts
Respect for surroundings runs deep at La Résidence Phou Vao, where a sustainably crafted façade immixes with its hillside perch and interiors are all handcrafted by Lao artisans. Bespoke experiences showcase the country’s cultural sites and educate on regional history, and hotel owners work closely with local organisations to reinvest into its neighbouring communities.
