Marriott opens hilltop hotel La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang

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Significantly this is the 800th Marriott property to open in the region and the first in Laos
The all-suite property is located in the mountains that surround the UNESCO heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang
Dining options include a bespoke private experience in the gardens of a nearby preserved colonial residence

Views for miles from the pool at La Résidence Phou Vao Luang Prabang

A new luxury property has opened in the popular Laotian and UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination of Luang Prabang. La Résidence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, is not just a new opening for Luang Prabang, it is also Marriott International’s 800th property in the region.

The all-suite hilltop retreat is set on Phou Vao - which forms part of the mist-encircled peaks above Luang Prabang - in three acres of tropical gardens. The existing property has now joined Marriott as a Luxury Collection-branded hotel. It overlooks the town where the storied Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet. The jungle-surrounded property boasts an outdoor pool with stunning views of the surrounding mountainscape

While the friendly staff are warmly welcoming, the vibe is serene and tranquil rather than high-energy, and the property is perhaps better suited to families with older children looking for a culturally rich escape.

La Résidence’s 36 suites blend comfort and craftsmanship, with certain suites offering separate living spaces and private terraces. Rosewood accents and handwoven textiles honour the region’s local traditions. Terrazzo tubs, twin vanities and rain showers add to the luxury feel. Rooms offer mountain, garden or temple views.

Dining options include La Brasserie de la Résidence, with contemporary French bistro dishes using seasonal local produce. An adjoining bar pours signature cocktails crafted with premium local spirits. Every Saturday and Sunday morning, a local artisan prepares Nem Kao on the Brasserie terrace, the delicate steamed rice crepe known across the Mekong valley as Banh Cuon – a home-style morning dish passed down through Luang Prabang households for generations.

The ‘Be Epicurean’ programme offers daily pre-sunset terrace nibbles and a bespoke private dining Epicurean Journey in the garden of Villa des Arts, a preserved colonial residence five minutes from the resort. For guests wishing to delve deeper into Lao cuisine, a dedicated Lao tasting menu traces the flavours of Luang Prabang across a sequence of courses.

“La Résidence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, embodies the very essence of The Luxury Collection,” said Bruce Rohr, vice president and global brand leader, The Luxury Collection. “This is a storied hotel with an unmistakable sense of place that serves as a gateway to the soul of its destination. From its preserved hilltop setting heritage and craftmanship, to experiences rooted in Lao culture and craft, the resort invites global explorers to discover Luang Prabang in a way that is both deeply authentic and entirely its own.”