Hotel 3 Nagas Luang Prabang MGallery by Sofitel

The 3 Nagas Hotel is one of Luang Prabang's most atmospheric and charming properties. The hotel is set in two buildings that are across the road from one another, one of them dating from 1898, the other from 1903. The traditional Lao homes are mansions that feature single pitched roofs, fine wood flooring, verandas, and have walls made from lime screed on bamboo. The lobby is small with white couches and a spiral wood staircase that leads up to a veranda. A fenced garden has seats for two set in stone circles around a small pond. To complete the timeless and historic atmosphere, there are two vintage Citroens from 1952 parked out in front of the hotel, and this classic property is a common stop for photographers wandering through the streets of old town. 

The 3 Nagas Hotel is located right in the heart of the UNESCO heritage area of Luang Prabang. It's about a 20-minute drive from the airport, and the hotel is near a large concentration of restaurants and shops, although it is at the quieter end of the old town peninsula. The street is shaded and full of old colonial and traditional Lao buildings, and it is a pleasant neighborhood for walking and bicycling. It is also close to all of the top temples, such as Wat Xiengthong and Wat Ban Sene, which are some of the old town highlights. There are tuk tuk taxis to take guests further around town, and the hotel has free bicycles, which are an efficient way to get around.

There are only 15 rooms at the 3 Nagas Hotel, mostly standard Superior or Deluxe, plus several suites. The rooms all feature some traditional heritage decor, with fine wooden floors, four-poster beds, and spacious bathrooms with both separate bathtubs and showers. While none of the rooms have TVs, they do have modern amenities including minibars, safe boxes, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. The standard Superior rooms are not all alike. Some of them have extra beds, and the ones on the garden building side of the hotel have views of the garden; the rooms on the lobby side don't have any views at all. Most rooms do have spacious private terraces, but views from the rooms are pretty non-existent, with the suites being an exception. The Junior Suite has a balcony looking over the morning alms procession by the monks, which is a pretty special feature. The rooms suffer from being a bit dark, and while they might seem a bit pricey for the amenities given, one has to remember that this is a UNESCO area in a unique place with strict building codes, so if you're a fan of the preserved and traditional, this is a special spot in a prime location.

The 3 Nagas is a small hotel and doesn't have a swimming pool or spa, but guests can use the Hotel de la Paix's pool and spa, accessed by a free tuk tuk ride, as the two properties are under the same management. The Restaurant les 3 Nagas is charming and atmospheric, set in a classic building and serves up fine Lao food. It has a Lao tasting menu and is open all day; in the morning free breakfast is served to guests. The restaurant has an indoor section on one side of the street, and an outdoor terrace on the other. The hotel provides guests with free bicycles. For those that want to swim or visit the spa, there's a free shuttle to the sister property, Hotel de la Paix, and guests can use their facilities for free. There is also a beautiful garden in the back of one of the buildings, that feels very private, as it is fenced off from the street, and has chairs for two set in stone circles which surround a small pond. It's a serene and perfect spot for reading a book and enjoying the silence. Wi-Fi throughout is free.