Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

With an enviable hilltop location overlooking the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang, Belmond La Residence Phou Vao is every ounce a luxurious colonial retreat. Once a Royal summer house, it has an air of grandeur and tradition and what is lacks in convenience, being a five minute tuk-tuk from the city, it more than makes for by its uninterrupted views of Mount Phousi and the mountains beyond.

Set in two acres of tropical gardens, bursting with frangipani, hibiscus and sunburst palms, guests are housed in 34 spacious suites, all with private balconies and views of the gardens, pool or mountain panorama. Interiors are classic and elegant; featuring polished wood floors, large windows and handmade local textiles.

La Residence Phou Vao is home to one of Luang Prabang’s finest restaurants and a gorgeous spa, the first of its kind in the region to offer seriously indulgent treatments in five-star surrounds. The restaurant serves delicious Lao cuisine, beautifully presented in a wonderful setting, and the chic bar is the perfect place to enjoy an aperitif as the sun sets over the city. There is also a 13-metre, freshwater swimming pool which is perched dramatically on the cliff’s edge.

Befitting the Belmond title, the service here is first class and the hotel offers a number of custom made experiences from scenic bicycle rides with gourmet picnics, sunset boat trips on board their private river boat and Lao cooking classes with renowned local chefs.