An elegant fusion of Far Eastern exoticism and colonial French splendour
| WITH AirAsia now operating a daily flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Luang Prabang, getting to the historic royal capital city of Laos – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has never been easier. And with accommodation options as fine as Sofitel Luang Prabang awaiting at the end of the short flight (one hour 45 mins), you can expect to enjoy all the culture of this sleepy city in the upmost of comfort. Located in Ban Mano, a quiet residential quarter of Luang Prabang and a five-minute drive from the heritage Old Town, and set within the grounds of a century-old colonial mansion, the all-suite Sofitel Luang Prabang is an elegant fusion of Far Eastern exoticism and colonial French splendour indoors and out, with interiors highlighted by stately columns, and a lush inner courtyard where swaying palms and wildflowers recall the verdant Laos countryside. |  |
Ranging from 46 to 120 square metres, with five-metre-high ceilings, every suite opens onto its own private garden and patio area – doubling the size of the space and allowing guests to unwind in total seclusion, rousing only to consider a dip in the oversized hot-tub or inviting plunge pool.
Lending a touch of old-world nostalgia to these elegant living spaces, each suite is furnished with a four-column hand-carved poster bed (complete with a perfectly balanced mattress, a fluffy, downy duvet, elegant sheets, and an extensive menu of soft pillows), shuttered windows, and exquisite Laos artifacts. Bringing things bang up to date are flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-xFi, and all the other modern conveniences expected of a hotel of this caliber.
Overlooking Sofitel Luang Prabang’s botanical garden, the Governor’s Grill (the only steakhouse restaurant of its kind in the city) features indoor and tented al fresco seating and offers a unique blend of traditional Laos cuisine and fine western gastronomy (try the Stroganoff – featuring braised buffalo, spaghetti, bell peppers, white wine and cream sauce).
Lending a touch of old-world nostalgia to these elegant living spaces, each suite is furnished with a four-column hand-carved poster bed (complete with a perfectly balanced mattress, a fluffy, downy duvet, elegant sheets, and an extensive menu of soft pillows), shuttered windows, and exquisite Laos artifacts. Bringing things bang up to date are flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-xFi, and all the other modern conveniences expected of a hotel of this caliber.
Overlooking Sofitel Luang Prabang’s botanical garden, the Governor’s Grill (the only steakhouse restaurant of its kind in the city) features indoor and tented al fresco seating and offers a unique blend of traditional Laos cuisine and fine western gastronomy (try the Stroganoff – featuring braised buffalo, spaghetti, bell peppers, white wine and cream sauce).
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| Guests can also venture to the 3 Nagas MGallery by Sofitel – which is just five-minutes by car or a brisk 20-minute walk away – to enjoy some of the best Laos cuisine in town. Other highlights at the hotel include the well-equipped fitness center, onsite cooking school, large central swimming pool, a meeting room for up to 70 people, and the hotel’s signature spa (think ancient Laos healing techniques with local organic products and the latest international advances in skincare, all conducted in a traditional Laos wooden home on stilts). The hotel staff can help to arrange all kinds of interesting excursions, ranging from trips to witness the daily collection of alms, to getting up close and personal with Laos’ gentle giants at the elephant conservation camp, to visiting local weaving villages and waterfalls. Fancy visiting the Old Town to explore the graceful colonial buildings, riverside cafés, magnificent museums, and glistening temples? Simply hop in a local tuk-tuk, or travel in style in one of the hotel’s vintage cars – a 1952 Citroen or 1956 Mercedes. Class. Sofitel Luang Prabang. +856 71 260 777. sofitel.com |  |
