Timeless Luang Prabang

Ancient Royal Capital of Laos, Luang Prabang emerges out of the forest at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO since 1995, the sacred city celebrates the unions of earth and water; of urbanity and nature. Cradle of the Lao culture, the city seduces by its unique setting and its nostalgic charm and serenity.

Dominated by Mount Phousi, the discrete peninsula hosts a prestigious architectural heritage, with over thirty temples, chef d’oeuvres of classical Lao and Thai styles. A community of thousands of monks and novices reveals the pre-eminence of Buddhism in this inspired city.

Numerous vestiges attest to the past French presence, at a time when Laos was still under protectorate: Elegant colonial edifices harmoniously mingle with traditional Laotian teak constructions.

Luang Prabang mostly reveals a live conservatory of the most beautiful traditions of the country.

Elegance of the language, purity of musical and poetical traditions, authenticity of religious celebrations, are all treasures to discover. The city is small, easy to navigate, which is very pleasant to the traveller who wishes to stroll through alleys and markets; listen to the chanting prayers or discreetly sit in the stairway of a temple, while assisting to the evening’s religious service.

A precious Traveling Philosophy

At first, in the north of Laos, there was the construction of the Luang Say Lodge and Cruises and its all-wooden stilt chalets built on piles and overlooking the Mekong River. Next was the transformation of a double-deck hotel boat, the “Vat Phou” Cruises, currently navigating along the southern Mekong river coasts by the Cambodian border.

Today, at the heart of Luang Prabang, a few steps away from the historical quarters, the Luang Say Residence opens with 24 discretely luxurious rooms.

The Luang Say Residence, return to the roots

The site perfectly blends into the city and reflects the colonial dream.

At the heart of a tropical garden planted with lotus, a vast host house surrounded by large verandas and around it, five white pavilions covered by red tiles. The site revives the epic discoveries of the pioneers of the high Mekong.

The ancient architecture optimises thermo isolation and saves energy. The precious wood furniture, the linen and the vintage gravures serve as a reminder of the early explorers: botanists, photographers, drawers who attempted to tame the mystical river from Cochinchine to Yunnan, at the end of the nineteen’s century.

New administrators and settlers arrived through the Mekong. They transformed the image of the city and imposed, in the French Indochina epoch, an architecture imprinted with tradition and exoticism.

More than a hotel, the Luang Say Residence is an invitation to walk in the steps of the French explorers who played a fundamental role in the development of Luang Prabang and engraved their names in history: Louis Delaporte (1842-1925), Navy Officer and talented drawer, Henri Mouhot, (1826-1861) naturalist who discovered Angkor ruins, Ernest Doudart de Lagrée, (1823 – 1873) Navy Commander and contributor to the opening of Asia to the occidental world, Francis Garnier (1835-1873) Navy Officer who died defending Hanoi against a rebellion of French colons from the Tonkin; or August Pavie, diplomat, ethnologist and author of the famous “Mission Pavie” in which he writes his memoirs and observations. It is an invitation to recapture the spirit of adventure and discovery of the nineteenth century: A voyage in itself.

At the heart of the property, a host house recreates the atmosphere of a colonial lifestyle

The Foyer

On the ground floor, the foyer, built in local stones is open to natural ventilation during the beautiful season. An ancient standing counter, an antique clock, Marelli fans imported by the French between 1910 and 1930, a round velvet sofa, and low lamps provide intimate lighting to this lobby and create a cosy living room atmosphere. A majestic wooden staircase accentuates the grandeur of this space.

Upstairs, a beam of skylight illuminates the space surrounded by a passageway leading to four Explorator suites. The diagonal pattern tile floors and the columns are reminiscent of the interior decoration during the protectorate epoch.

Laotian water jar replicas by Jean-Pierre Cuomo stand behind the counter.

On the right side of the entry hall: The bar, the library and smoking room

“The Bar-Lounge 1861”has a French bistro feel, with a black granite and wooden counter, leather stools and studded velvet sofa. A hardwood floor made of large strips of Hopea ferrea is surrounded by a frame of anthracic ceramic stones from Vietnam. Mirrors on the walls create an appealing sense of space, and during the day, the room is filled with natural light. Full-wall- height wainscot and Tiffany lamps remind of Art Nouveau, very much in vogue in the late nineteenth century Europe.

A marble looking fireplace warms up the space in the cold season.

The Library Fumoir

This fascinating space resembles a cabinet of wonders and curiosities. On the full-height wall wainscot, are displayed French and local ethnic hunting weapons, crossbows and lances treasured by explorers are displayed.

A butterfly collection from Vang Vieng is a tribute to Henri Mouhot, discoverer and naturalist who died in Laos in 1861. Glass-paneled cabinets hold betel boxes, pestle and mortar, weights and Hmong opium and tobacco pipes, for an initiation to the art of betel and opium.

The library shelves offer a collection of ancient and recent books on Laos.

The lounge opens to a terrace, shaded by a grapevine-covered pergola. A meditative space overlooking the swimming pool, the gardens or the distant hills, is an invitation to total relaxation.

The dining room-Terrace

Located in extension of the foyer, the rattan ceilinged dining room offers a space which opens up to welcome the cooling air thanks to a system of retractable windows.

A 50-seat restaurant: “La Belle Epoque”, offers an inventive cuisine of occidental and oriental flavours. The dining room is surrounded by a large veranda overlooking the gardens where meals are served.

In the garden twenty suites divided in five pavilions

In the one-hectare garden, peaceful tropical retreat, the five pavilions hold twenty “Pioneers’ Suites”.

The five pavilions with long roof extensions and double walls enable a two-way thermo-isolation, a technique used in the colonial epoch. This ancient architecture enables a reduction in the use of air conditioning.

Each of the five villas bears the name of one of the adventurers of the High Mekong who participated in the discovery and development of Luang Prabang. In each of the pavilions, a small memorial garden shows a bronze statue of the explorer in action within his historical context.

Each villa holds four “Pioneers’ Suites”: two on the ground floor, opening onto the gardens, and two on the first floor, offering peaceful views of Luang Prabang’s hills.

Each suite offers a four-poster wooden bed draped with cozy netting. A lounge corner equipped with a divan and a writing bureau reminds of the explorer’s bivouacs. The ceilings are made of wooden beam and willow.

The elephant-grey sandstone floored bathroom is equipped with shower, ancient double vanity units on a marble counter.

Sliding windows open onto private gardens providing natural light. Each Pioneer Suite has its own open lounge on the terrace. Contemporary comfort include air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, mini bar, in-room safe, hair dryer, bathrobe and white sponge slippers.

The elegant exotic wooden furniture, Linen, velvets and silk fabrics, Italian wallpaper, vintage gravures and postcards send you back in time.

The elephant-grey sandstone floored bathroom is equipped with an ancient egg shelled lacquer bathtub, a shower and an ancient double vanity unit. A large entrance and a dressing complete the space.

The Garden and the swimming pool

The tropical botanic garden is a vivid compendium of some of the region most luxuriant and striking plants, refreshed with water lily ponds that are typical of Luang Prabang.

Heliconia, arekiers, Royal Poinciana, traveller’s palms and white bougainvillea mingle with banana palms, royal palms, oil palms and foxtail palms.

Hibiscus and lantanas were planted in order to attract an extraordinary variety of butterflies present in Laos.

A vast, inviting slate pool offers a refreshing retreat. Snacks and drinks are served at the poolside.

Replica of rattan umbrellas, once used by explorers ridding elephants through the Laotian hills, were designed by François Greck, and offer shade over sun beds.

A small luxury boutique resort

The Luang Say Residence is located only 10 minutes away from the airport and 5 minutes from downtown.

Flying Time from:

Bangkok 2 hoursChiang Mai 1 hourSiam Reap 1 hour 45 minutesHanoi 1 hour

Accommodation

24 luxuriously appointed residence suites including: 20 Pioneer Suites 43 sqm 4 Explorateur Suites 74 sqm

All suites include a flat screen television, satellite programming, air- conditioning, personal mini bar, idd telephone lines, wifi internet access, in-room safe and large bay windows allowing for natural daylight.

Pioneer Suites - 43 sqm

One-Bedroom Suites showcase spacious indoor and outdoor sitting areas. Each suite offers Twin or King Sized beds which are covered by a cozy mosquito net adding a softer, elegant touch to the room. The suite boasts ample space including a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and a lounge area equipped with a writing desk and divan.

Explorateur Suites - 74 sqm

One-Bedroom Suites showcase spacious indoor and outdoor sitting areas. Each suite offers Twin or King Sized beds which are covered by a cozy mosquito net adding a softer, elegant touch to the room. The suite boasts ample space including a lounge area equipped with a writing desk and divan.

The suites’ luxurious, spacious bathroom also includes a bathtub, walk-in shower and double vanity unit.

‘La Belle Epoque’ restaurant at The Luang Say Residence delights and surprises its guests with simple yet sumptuous cuisine, attractively priced and served in impeccable surroundings. All diners will enjoy their meal from a creative menu changed quarterly with a tempting selection of regional dishes from Laos and other countries in South East Asia. The restaurant seating capacity includes 24 indoor seats, 26 outdoor seats - Total: 50 seats

‘1861’ is a traditional café that brings back the grand old days of exploration by featuring a display area filled with ancient ethnic hunting weaponry. The pleasurable ambience is enhanced with its offerings of fine wine and a variety of enticing cocktails. ‘1861’ also encourages its guests to discover Laos’ historical background through well - chosen articles and photo books in the extravagant library and fumoir. The seating capacity includes 24 indoor seats, 8 outdoor seats. Total: 32 seats

Additional Services

Swimming pool Library & fumoir Laundry service Foreign exchange Airport transfer, In suite dining Concierge and Golf arrangements

All major credit cards accepted

CONTACT The Luang Say Residence

4-5 Ban Phonepheng, P.O. Box 507 Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: +856 (0) 71 260 891 Fax: +856 (0) 71 260 892 E-mail: info@luangsayresidence.com