Luang Prabang - Hotels, Buildings and Restaurants Part 2

Luang Prabang Hotels, Restaurants and Buildings
Part 2

Luang Prabang which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site has some of the most beautiful buildings I have seen in one town alone. Some of the buildings here are odd shaped while most of them are French styled colonial buildings built during the French influence in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang - Old wooden buildings

Walking around Luang Prabang town area can be done in a few hours but it took me longer than that due to multiple stops admiring some of these beautiful buildings. While most of them are brick, there are still some which are in pure wood and some even in a mix of wood and stone.

Luang Prabang - The Blue House

Luang Prabang's old buildings are mostly converted into businesses like boutique hotels, guest houses, villas, restaurants and cafes. The new generation Lao people are taking advantage of the UNESCO status by turning some of these buildings into craft and souvenir shops or even traditional massage centers.

The Apsara Hotel in Luang Prabang

Among the boutique hotels and guest houses in Luang Prabang, The Apsara is one of them. Housed in an old colonial building which has been carefully renovated, the Apsara sits along the Nam Khan River in the quieter part of town. Prices are around the USD$130's so be prepared. No Internet, TV or radio, this is a great place to seek some peace and quiet.

Say Nam Khan Guest House

One thing for sure in Luang Prabang is that the amount of guest houses are abundant. You see them just about everywhere around town. Some cheaper ones even in the back lanes. This guest house in the picture above is called Say Nam Khan Guest House located just in the town area on Ban Wat Sene Road. Prices are from USD$25.00 for a single to USD$50.00 for a VIP room.

Villa Sokxai or Sok Xai Guest House

Some of the guest houses may even term themselves as villas as the one in the picture above. Called Sokxai Guest House or Villa Sokxai as it is now known, it is housed in one of the old colonial bungalow buildings in town area. Prices range from USD$25.00 to USD$60.00 here and they do not accept credit cards for now.

Luang Prabang - View Khem Khong Guest House

Along the road by the Mekong River, you will find this narrow guest house with a small balcony up top. Called View Khem Khong Guest House, the room you may want to stay in is room number 909. This is the one right above the lobby with the best balcony view. Rates here are from USD$25.00 to USD$70.00 depending on the season.

Villa Senesouk Guest House in Luang Prabang

Another guest house which has recently been changed to Villa is the Sene Souk Guest House or now known as Villa Senesouk. Prices for this basic style hotel ranges from around USD$25.00 to USD$50.00 per room. Nice old charm look at this place.

Luang Prabang River Lodge Hotel

With 13 rooms here, the Luang Prabang River Lodge is one of the few hotels that are facing the Mekong River. Prices here range from USD$40.00 to USD$60.00 and this hotel is located very close to the famous Hmong Market, Royal Palace Museum and Phu Si Hill.

Luang Prabang - 3 Nagas Hotel

Another famous or popular hotel is the 3 Nagas Hotel by ALiLA. Fully restored in 2003, this is one of the nicer hotels on the pricier side were it starts at USD$125.00 onwards. From the front it looks basic but when you go inside or around, you will see how far in the compound stretches back.


Walking along the Nam Khan River, I stumbled across the Navigation Office of Luang Prabang. To my surprise, the office still remains in full wood. I guess work here is pretty easy as only long boats or hotel boats pass through the Mekong River or Nam Khan River.

Luang Prabang - Royal Palace Museum

Along the main road which is called Sisavangvong Road, you are bound to pass this huge compound which houses the Royal Palace Museum which is locally known as Haw Kham or Golden Hall. This amazing place was build back in 1904 during the French colonial era for the King and his family. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown by the communist and since then it was converted into a museum in 1995. There are visiting times and an entrance fee here with some strict rules. Please see the end of this posting for more details.

Luang Prabang typical guest houses with balcony

Some of the colonial guest houses have a decent small seating place right in front of the building. It is here where you will see the travelers sipping Lao Coffee and watching daily life of the locals in Luang Prabang. Occasionally you see orange robed monks passing by waving to you in a friendly manner.

Luang Prabang main street

One of the main streets in the town of Luang Prabang. In the day, tourist are seen moving up and down heading all around. Some to the day markets, some to the hill and some just wandering around. In the evenings when the sun sets, cafes come alive and so does the Hmong Handicraft Night Market. Hundreds of Lao vendors are seen selling various items from lamp shades to blankets and silver wear to paintings.

Lao school children play during break

A typical Lao school housed in one of the old colonial single storey buildings with a dirt compound. English is taught as an additional language in some of the schools here.

A Lao schoolgirl poses for a picture

Children are seen playing during a break and some of them sit by the 3 feet wall looking at tourist passing by. Some even try to communicate with the travelers which provide some entertainment to both parties like the child above did with her sweet smile.

Luang Prabang Traditional Steam Bath and Massage center

Further off the main town area, you will see various colonial buildings which houses Traditional Lao Steam Baths. Some come all-in-one with Traditional Lao Massage or even a Traditional Lao Medicinal Message. These are proper places which have experienced Lao people attending to you so fear not.

Me taking an important picture in front of some Lao Massage Centers

Oh well, I just could not resist taking a picture in front of some local Lao Massage centers. You would find most of them around the river area. The ones in town are a little more expensive but then again, my expensive would range around US$10.00. Best is to explore and shop for prices.




Because of the UNESCO status in Luang Prabang, most developments are re-constructing older buildings or even re-building new ones which follow the colonial style. One of the new projects as in the picture above are some new villas or hotels and not to worry as you will not find any modern buildings here.

Laha Quality Natural Textiles shop

An old colonial building selling traditional Lao textiles. The place is called Laha Quality Natural Textiles and has a good collection of these beautiful Lao designed fabrics. Located just near the Phu Si Hill or Royal Palace, it is just a short walk from main town.

L'Elephant French Restaurant in Luang Prabang

Apparently one of the most popular restaurants in Luang Prabang, L'Elephant Restaurant, serves French and Lao cuisine which are grown in their own little garden. Run by a French man and a French-Lao partner, this place is always full so please make reservations. Famous people like Mick Jagger and Kylie Minogue have dined here and L'Elephant Restaurant has been reviewed by the New York Times, Bangkok Post and various other media.

Aroma Spa and Beauty center in town

In main town Luang Prabang, you are sure to come across various spas and beauty centers. For the ladies, please do not let go of this opportunity as they provide one of the best spas and treatments around and all this for a fraction of what you are used to paying back home. I got roped in by my partner Lilian after much persuasion and we took up a 4 hour spa for only US$25.00 per person. It was really good if you want my honest opinion and this was in 2008.

Hotel and Guest House list in Luang Prabang

• The Apsara
  
• Say Nam Khan Guest House - saynamkhane_lp@hotmail.com
• Hotel Sok Xai Guest House / Villa Sokxai - sokxaigh@yahoo.com
• View Khem Khong Guest House - Tel: +856 71 213032
• Sene Souk Guest House / Villa Senesouk
• Luang Prabang River Lodge
• 3 Nagas Hotel

For more details on hotels and guest houses, visit the Luang Prabang Accomodation


L'Elephant Restaurant address
Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R
Tel: +856 71 252 482
Fax: +856 71 252 492
Email: contact@elephant-restau.com
Website of L'Elephant Restaurant


Luang Prabang Royal Palace Museum

• Admission - 30,000 Kips (USD$3.00)
• No photography is allowed inside the museum
• You must leave your bags in lockers near the entrance
• You must remove your shoes before entering
• You need to be dressed conservatively
• Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 1.30 PM to 4.00PM

My other Laos and Luang Prabang blog postings:

Luang Prabang Town Part 1
Whisky Village in Luang Prabang
Pak Ou Buddha Caves in Luang Prabang
Phu Si Hill in Luang Prabang

Talat Sao Morning Market in Vientiane
Food in Vientiane
Patuxai Arch in Vientiane
That Luang Stupa (Golden Stupa) in Vientiane
Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) in Vientiane


~ jrhogan