Kiridara Luang Prabang

The Kiridara looks and feels like a relaxed vacation resort. While most hotels in heritage Luang Prabang don't have many facilities, this one is built around its sunny swimming pool and courtyard. The resort sits up on a hillside, and doesn't have much of a lobby, just a small simple space with books and computers where guests are quickly checked in. The pool takes up much of the public space, with the spa and fitness building further up on the hillside. The main hangout area is the pool and its adjoining outdoor terrace where the Phu Doi restaurant has outdoor dining in the cool season, with an indoor section below, both giving views out to the mountains and town. From down below, it doesn't look like much, but viewed from above, the orange tiled roof Lao teak wood villas that make up much of the property look quite stately. Overall the atmosphere is peaceful and refined.

The Kiridara is located outside of the town center and historical area of Luang Prabang. It's too far to walk from the hotel, but the property does provide free shuttle service on call as well as free bicycles for guests to use to get around. The hotel sits off the main Highway 13 that runs all the way to Vientiane. This road is trafficked and dusty, but the hotel is up a driveway on a hill so it feels far away, and there are good views of the mountains and surroundings. There aren't many restaurants, bars, or shops for tourists in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. The Kiridara is convenient for getting to the airport which is about a five-minute drive away. As the hotel is on a hillside and has no elevators, there is the need to climb stairs to go to the rooms or spa or fitness, which might put off some guests.

Rooms here are divided between Deluxe, Premium, and Suite options. They mostly have the same amenities and features and just differ in size. The standard Deluxe rooms have fine crafted wood floors and furniture, a writing desk, closet space, and ultra-comfy mattresses. Rooms come with electric kettles, large flat-screen TVs, DVD players, bathrobes and slippers, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature large rain showers and private water closets. All of the second-story Deluxe Rooms have outdoor terraces, whereas the rooms in this category on the first floor do not have a terrace but do have a soaking bathtub. 

Premium Rooms include extra square footage, elegant soaking tubs, double mirrors and sinks for the bathrooms, and Lao teak furnishings, with connecting room options for families. The top category Kiri Suites have decks overlooking the pool and mountains, iPod docks, huge 40-inch flat-screen TVs, and hand crafted Terrazzo bathtubs. The Kiridara also offers several large private villas that are located in the historic UNESCO heritage area downtown, with standby shuttle service for guests to come use the resort facilities. 

The Kiridara has more features than most other hotels around town. It has a sunny swimming pool with an infinity-edge and sophisticated ambience, set with large planters filled with water and a single green plant. The pool area could use a few more sun loungers, especially in high season, but there is poolside bar service, and the deck of the Phu Doi restaurant offers lovely outdoor dining and mountain views. During the hot season, guests can enjoy the indoor air-conditioned dining area, and the restaurant serves an excellent free breakfast buffet, plus Lao and international fare on the menu for lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. A small but light filled fitness center offers three cardio machines and a weight bench. The serene spa includes private treatment rooms and a soaking bathtub large enough for two. Buddhist statues and shrines add to the Asian decor. The resort provides guests with free bicycles to use throughout their stay, as well as an on call free shuttle service for those who don't want to pedal.