Ban Mano, Luang Prabang, Lao People's Democratic Republic | (937) 315-4602
Rooms are some of the most spacious in town
Rooms have gorgeous textiles, large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and lovely patios
Large swimming pool on-site (most hotels in Luang Prabang don't have pools)
Restaurant serves tasty local dishes and free breakfast
Freebies include a shuttle to the town center and bicycle rentals
Free airport transfer with advance booking
Spa is found in one of the beautiful historic buildings
Cooking school is popular
Located on a quiet street away from the downtown center yet close enough to walk
Ultra-expensive rates (the second priciest stay in town)
Not in the old heritage zone on the Mekong or Nam Khan rivers, so views don't compare to hotels that are
No fitness center
The Sofitel Luang Prabang is a historic luxury hotel located in central Luang Prabang. The former French governor's mansion is comprised of several beautiful colonial buildings set around garden courtyards with ground-level suites. All of the suites here are extremely spacious, with features like giant flat-screen TVs, huge backyard patios, and outdoor bathtubs in some. The resort has a large swimming pool, which is a rarity in Luang Prabang, a spa housed in a restored old building, and an atmospheric restaurant filled with books (appropriately named The Library) serving local Lao dishes. There are free bicycles for guests, and the hotel feels extremely private, sophisticated, and exclusive. It's one of the most expensive hotels in in Luang Prabang, and the price tag, nearly double any competitors such as the Phou Vao or 3 Nagas, might make some think twice.
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Scene
Exclusive and sophisticated, this hotel -- housed in a former French governor's mansion -- is a restored UNESCO colonial gem.
The Sofitel Luang Prabang is an exclusive and sophisticated retreat. The property is set in the former French governor's mansion and is a UNESCO Heritage protected building. The colonial quarters have been restored and the hotel features several French-style buildings with large white columns set around landscaped courtyards. There is a long reflection pool with water lilies, and large shady poinciana trees to wander under -- and with a large wall surrounding the entire property, it feels very serene, private, and remote. While there is no palatial lobby or entrance gate to greet visitors (guests are checked-in in their rooms), the manicured grounds and attention-to-detail make it a pretty unique and elite spot. The back of the resort has beautiful traditional wooden Lao homes, one of which houses the spa, another which is used for a cooking school, and there are again large trees, wooden birdcages, and spacious lawns giving off a sense of space and serenity.
Location
In a quiet neighborhood not far from the town center
The Sofitel Luang Prabang is located on a quiet side street just outside of the downtown area of Luang Prabang. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from the airport, and while it is a solid 20 minutes' walk into the heritage zone of the old town along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, there are plenty of restaurants and shops much closer to the hotel in the center of town. There aren't any views from the property, as it is surrounded by a wall, but at the same time, it feels very tranquil and private, and it's a great location for combining proximity to sights with a total luxury escape.
Rooms
Spacious suites with large private gardens, some with pools and outdoor bathtubs
The rooms at Sofitel Luang Prabang are comprised of 23 extremely spacious suites. All of the suites have beautiful throw pillows, giant flat-screen TVs, safe boxes, minibars with free beverages, robes and slippers, plush beds with dramatic wood frames, and electric hot water kettles for making coffee and tea. All the suites have extremely large private garden patios with lawn space, with some different configurations depending on the room type. Entry-level Garden Suites have bathtubs outside on the patios, along with rainfall showers inside, while Heritage Suites have their tubs in the rooms. The opulent Pool Suites have their own small pools in the backyard, along with outdoor tubs as well. The rooms come with free Wi-Fi and breakfast and feel very private. The only drawback to the stylish suites are their lack of views. The entire building is low level, surrounded by a wall or fenced in, and the only views out of the rooms are of their own gardens.
Features
Large swimming pool, spa in an old wooden house, and free bicycles and shuttle service
The Sofitel Luang Prabang has a very large swimming pool, one of the biggest in Luang Prabang (due to UNESCO ordinances, a large number of hotels in town do not have pools). The hotel also has a charming restaurant full of shelves of books (the restaurant is appropriately named The Library), which serves upscale Lao cuisine and has outdoor tables looking out at the courtyard as well as the atmospheric interior. There is no fitness center, although there are plans to build one. The Sofitel Luang Prabang has a cooking school and a pampering spa set in a beautiful old wooden traditional Lao house, and the hotel also gives guests free bicycles to use for getting around town. Free shuttle service is also available during the day.
