Kounxoau Road, Ban Phonehueng, Luang Prabang, Lao People's Democratic Republic | (937) 315-4602
In one of the quietest, most peaceful spots in town
Right on the Mekong -- at its confluence with the Nam Khan River
Rooms feature lots of teak wood and traditional architecture, making them quite charming
Good restaurant serves both Lao and Western cuisine out on the Mekong
Spa offers various massage treatments
Free bicycles for guests to use
Some find the scene too quiet
No swimming pool or fitness center
Rooms have some very tight corners with no room between the beds and minibars, or showers and toilets
The Victoria Xiengthong Palace is a boutique heritage hotel set in the old town of Luang Prabang. The resort is small, with only 26 rooms located by the Mekong River and Wat Xiengthong temple, and is the former residence of the Lao royal family; in fact, it used to be the Royal Palace, and has lovely teak floored rooms in traditional buildings. Rooms have plenty of old charm, as well as modern conveniences like iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. There is no pool or fitness center, but there is a spa, and the excellent Kitchen by the Mekong restaurant which serves fine Lao and European cuisine. It's one of the quietest areas of Luang Prabang, and perfect for those who like walking and enjoying the riverside haunts. It is, however, one of Luang Prabang's most expensive properties -- and some find it doesn't give the views or overall luxuries to merit the price tag.
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Scene
Former Royal Palace with old colonial buildings and plenty of charm
The Victoria Xienthong Palace used to be the former Royal Palace; in fact, it was the last home of the Laos royal family, so it isn't surprising that the decor and detail are fit for a king. The grounds are occupied by a series of restored colonial homes, all in brilliant white with old-fashioned wooden shutters. The series of palaces and villas have teak wood stairs, and the atmospheric buildings surround a pleasant courtyard with a pool. While the lobby is tiny, it does have more white with wood trim, slow ceiling fans, and bicycles with bamboo fenders out front. It even feels a bit like something out of the Roaring 20s.
Location
Located in the quietest part of the old town right on the Mekong
The Victoria Xiengthong Palace is located at the far end of the peninsula that makes up old town Luang Prabang. It is the quietest part of the old city, near the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, in a neighborhood of leafy streets and old houses. The hotel is right next to atmospheric Wat XIengthong temple, and its backside sits right on the Mekong. It's about a 15-minute drive to the airport, and it's a 10-minute walk to the night market and main restaurant area of Luang Prabang; there are also plenty of quaint French bakeries and riverside cafes just a few minutes' stroll away. For those who like peace and quiet as well as colonial charm, it's in the perfect spot.
Rooms
Teak wood colonial rooms with modern features like iPod docks and flat-screen TVs
There are only 26 rooms at the Victoria Xiengthong Palace, and all of them are restored colonial gems. There are suites, rooms, and villas to choose from, and all feature modern amenities like flat-screen televisions, safes, minibars, iPod docks, bathrobes and slippers, tea and coffee making facilities, heating for the winter months and fans and air-conditioning for the summer, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have large separate tubs along with rainfall showers, plus luxury Victoria toiletries. The standard Palace Rooms come in Twin or Double, with the Palace Twin Rooms lacking balconies. All of the rooms have teak wood floors except those in ground-floor suites, which have tiles. The main drawback to the charming rooms is the fact that many of them have very tight corners and spaces. In some of the rooms, the closets, minibars, and safe boxes are located just inches from the beds, with almost no room in between. In the Palace Rooms, the shower doors pretty much touch the toilets. Only the Mekong Suite gives a lot of space. The Xiengthong Villa Rooms come with private whirlpools.
Features
Atmospheric Lao-Western restaurant overlooking the Mekong, but little else
The Victoria Xiengthong Palace is a restored colonial property, so it doesn't have lots of modern features like a swimming pool or fitness center. The hotel does have a charming riverside Kitchen by the Mekong restaurant, which serves both Lao and western cuisine in an old villa perched overlooking the Mekong river. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and the free breakfasts that come with the rooms are served here. The hotel also has a small spa for massage treatments, and there are free bicycles for use by guests to get around the small old town.
