Laos Hotels and Holidays
by Darshi Chohan
You can see ancient Indochina culture and green forests on holidays in Laos. Travellers who are more experienced will enjoy the country's "off the beaten track" character, but there are also Laos luxury hotels for comfort and relaxation.
Properly known as Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laos is a country in South East Asia. Like the neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Cambodia to the south, Laos's architecture reflects the traditional styles of Indochina combined with French colonial influence of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. On Laos holidays you will see buildings and temples with staggered, overlapping roofs like the shell, and golden temples with ornate carvings.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, a popular tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the North of Laos where the Nam Khane River meets the Mekong. Although it is a small town, Luang Prabang was once the capital city of Laos. You will quickly notice the strong influence of Buddhism here, the town being home to eighty monasteries. As well as its many monks, this area was once known as "the kingdom of a million elephants," so you will be able to enjoy an elephant ride on your Laos holidays here.
The 3 Nagas Hotel
One of the most historic of the Laos luxury hotels in this region is the 3 Nagas by Alila. It is a boutique Laos hotel comprised of three buildings that are each more than a hundred years old. One of the buildings was constructed in 1898 for a visit from the Laos Royal Family. Each has been modernised to make this a luxurious and peaceful place to stay, but the restoration has kept this Laos hotel's historical charm intact.
To maintain its intimate feel, the 3 Nagas by Alila has just 17 rooms, individually furnished and decorated, featuring wooden beams and smooth wooden floors. Balconies look out over the lush green garden with its pentagonal pond where you can lie on a lounger and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
La Residence
Another of the Laos luxury hotels in this region is La Residence (Phou Vao), located just ten minutes from Luang Prabang's centre. It is decorated to reflect the country's culture, with an indoor water feature, as well as a lily pond in the garden. But the best feature of La Residence is this Laos hotel's amazing mountain views over the forest.
Places to Visit and Sites to See
Places to visit during your visit to Luang Prabang on your Laos holidays include the Royal Palace, the Kuang Si Falls and the Pak Ou Caves. Since the communist government deposed the royal family in the 1970s, The Royal Palace has been a museum for people on Laos holidays to explore.
The Kuang Si Falls are about 20 miles away from Luang Prabang, where you can see the pools and cascading water, taking in some nature before returning to your Laos hotel. It takes two hours to reach the Caves at Pak Ou by boat, during which time you can take in the atmosphere of the jungle. At the caves, holidaymakers can see hundreds of icons and figurines lining cave walls, another example of Laos's historical ties to the Buddhist tradition.
About the Author
Darshi Chohan is a Far East holiday expert for Tropical Locations, a specialist operator offering the best Laos hotelsfor Laos holidays and for other destinations in the Far East, Indian Ocean, Arabia & India. Tropical Locations has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants ready to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
