I am trying to book a hotel room in December for Luang Prabang and many rooms are filled.
La Residence is full. I think Maison Souvannaphoum is full also. What hotels would you suggest?
I have hear that some hotels are being renovated and there are some new hotels. What LUXURY hotels do you suggest?

There is really only one luxury hotel in LP and that is La Residence Phou Vao. There are a number of other places that get recommended here such as Three Nagas.

Don't opt for a place far out of town such as The Grand or the Villa Santi Resort. For many years the Villa Santi (which is different from the Villa Santi Resort)was THE place to stay in LP, but it later fell behind because of lack of renovations, etc. You might check and see whether it's rooms (especially the bathrooms) have been renovated recently. You can't beat the location of the Villa Santi (not the Villa Santi Resort).

The 3 Nagas was acquired by Alila (I think - one of the lux chains). That can only mean it will get better.

Heed Kathie's advice and be sure to get something in town. There are a few new places 'just across the river' but that doesn't mean you can walk to town, which is what you want in LP.

We stayed at the 3 Nagas last year and loved it. We opted for the 3 Nagas suite which was on the first floor and was very spacious. It is a colonial style hotel (and was run by a frenchman) so you don't get the true luxury, but you do get antiques, atmosphere and a balcony overlooking the main st (great fro the monks procession!)Their restaurant across the road is also really good

We stayed at the Apsara in January 07 and really liked it - not LUXURY but very nice - book an upstairs room so you don't have wooden floors above you.

I recently visited in LP and stayed at the Aman. They have a special rate right now and it is truly a luxury hotel. We visited all the other so-called luxury hotels and the only other one that could have that title would be La Residence. Just be aware that the rooms at La Residence are really not luxury in my book. Quite small and pretty basic, but nice. The public areas at La Residence are atmospheric, but for true luxury and a better location I would definitely stay at the Aman.

The Aman has just opened, so I'm sure we'd all be interested in your detailed review. Exactly where is the Aman located?

I'm surprised at your comment about the rooms at the Phou Vao being small. The room we had was huge, as were the others I saw in the wing overlooking the pool.

choosytraveler I am not having a go at you, just asking....Don't you think it is obscene to stay at a hotel which charges as much for one night as the average Lao earns in a year? No hotel is worth that imo, after all, you just sleep there.

Hanuman, make sure that you wear extremely loose clothing. Then no one will be the wiser.

I'm very sad that I missed what obviously were some very entertaining missing posts.

Another entry in 'whatever happened to that thread?'