La Résidence Phou Vao
Traditional Lao-colonial retreat; intimate and serene, with teak, silk and handcrafted textiles throughout. Peaceful but not stiff. Heritage-forward without being fussy.
Request a Mountain View Suite for direct sightlines to the Phousi Temple and its golden spire at sunset
Why It Matters
Historically significant as the former guesthouse of the Lao royal family, with unmatched elevated views of the UNESCO old town's golden pagodas and the Mekong Valley. The only hotel in Luang Prabang built atop Phou Vao Hill. TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Best of the Best 2025. Recipient of multiple 'best spa in Asia' awards for the Mekong Spa.
Perched on Phou Vao — the Hill of the Kite — this 34-suite boutique hotel sits roughly 2 km outside Luang Prabang's UNESCO-listed old town, on three acres of tropical garden overlooking sacred mountains. Originally a guesthouse for state visitors and Lao royalty, it combines traditional architecture built from local teak with silk textiles and French colonial sensibility. The infinity pool stops dramatically at the cliff edge, and the award-winning Mekong Spa sits beside a waterlily pond — which gives the place a particular quality of calm that's hard to find anywhere closer to town.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Private boat cruise on the Mekong for two, with afternoon tea and sparkling wine. Stops at a viewpoint to watch the sunset while hotel staff and a drummer perform traditional songs.
An early morning cruise along the Mekong River on the hotel's exclusive long boat. Breakfast served on board with a glass of sparkling wine, watching the jungle pass by in the morning calm.
Full-day excursion to Manifa Elephant Sanctuary. Includes introduction to elephant behavior, boat crossing of the Nam Khan River, feeding and jungle walk with the elephants, preparing digestive treats, a 1km trek along Hoy Kang stream, and scenic deck relaxation.
Starting at 07:30 or 16:30, guests visit the local market with the hotel's chef team to source fresh ingredients, then learn to prepare three classic Lao dishes: orlam (stew), Mekong fish larb (salad), and the hotel's signature papaya salad. Techniques include sun drying, bamboo on charcoal, and wok frying.
Luxury Mekong cruise aboard the hotel's Long Boat du Phou Vao to the sacred Pak Ou limestone caves, which hold around 4,000 Buddhist statues. Includes songs and drumming by hotel staff, a chef-prepared picnic lunch on a private sandy island, and a nature-expert guide.
An immersive look into the Lao way of life, learning how rice — central to Lao culture and cuisine — is grown and harvested.
Guided participation in the daily Tak Bat almsgiving ceremony. Guests begin with Lao coffee by the fireplace and help prepare traditional sticky rice, then venture into Luang Prabang to witness and join the almsgiving, followed by a cultural visit to Wat Nong temple.
A traditional Lao blessing ceremony for guests, involving white cotton strings tied around the wrists with prayers and wishes for good fortune. Available as a cultural immersion experience.
A 29km journey from the hotel to the three-tiered Kuang Si Waterfalls (Tat Kuang Si). Guests walk through jungle, swim in turquoise pools, enjoy a chef-prepared breakfast picnic, and explore embroidery handicraft villages on the return.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The hotel maintains wheelchair accessibility throughout its grounds.
A light-filled, library-style meeting room for small groups of 30–50 guests. Equipped with projector, screen, flipchart, and Wi-Fi. Ideal for board meetings, private discussions, or small group sessions.
Complimentary high-speed wireless internet available in all rooms and public areas.
Daily breakfast for two included with most room rates, served at La Brasserie de La Résidence from 7am to 10:30am.
Fully equipped fitness centre with weight-training machines, accessible to all guests.
Nespresso-style espresso machine in all suites, with daily minibar replenishment.
Complimentary parking available on-site. Valet parking is also offered.
The entire establishment is smoke-free.
The hotel's centrepiece: a 13-metre freshwater pool that ends at a dramatic cliff edge overlooking the Luang Prabang mountains. Poolside loungers and cocktail service available.
On-site boutique selling handicrafts, jewellery, and traditional Lao textiles — a curated selection of locally made souvenirs.
The hotel runs a complimentary shuttle service between the property and Luang Prabang's UNESCO old town center, approximately 2 km away. Available on request.
Bicycles available to all guests for exploring the grounds and surrounding area.
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