Design

The resort design tells a story of cultural fusion and adventure, drawing inspiration from the history of French explorers in Laos and local tribes. This is reflected in the eclectic mix of design elements, from vintage travel trunks and antique furnishings to maps and other artifacts that make each accommodation distinctive, blending French colonial aesthetics with Laotian craftsmanship. Designed by Bangkok-based, American designer Bill Bensley, the resort encourages visitors to unwind and become as one with this village-like estate which consists of 23 accommodations and create authentic journeys of discovery into the rich local landscape and culture.

At the heart of Rosewood Luang Prabang's design philosophy is a commitment to preserving and celebrating the cultural identity of Laos. The property draws heavily from traditional Laotian architecture, characterized by steeply pitched roofs, wooden structures, and intricate carvings. Each of the 23 accommodations—including tented waterfall pool villas, riverside villas, and hilltop tents—features design elements that reflect the local aesthetic. Traditional materials such as teak wood, bamboo, and rattan are used extensively, creating a sense of authenticity and harmony with the surrounding environment. Taking its cue from the French-Lao architecture for which the town is known, the interiors of the Luang Prabang resort reflect the influences of ancient temples, while luxurious tented villas celebrate the explorers' spirit.

Location

The resort is surrounded by soaring mountains with a waterfall and creek running through the estate and it is located within a 10-minute drive from the historic city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Accommodations

The resort offers 23 spacious accommodations including four Riverside Rooms (39-48 sq.m.), four Riverside Suites (74-91 sq.m.), three Riverside Villas (67 sq.m.), six Waterfall Pool Villas (55 sq.m.), and six Hilltop Tent (75 sq.m.). Each of the resort's guest housings are bordered by a riverbank. The 75-square-meter Hilltop Tents include their own private dining areas and balconies. Laos tradition and French Colonial style is sensitively woven throughout the design and architecture, including the use of indigenous materials and locally inspired artworks. Bill Bensley's thoughtful design approach ensures that every detail contributes to the overall narrative, creating a sense of place that resonates with guests long after their stay. It is a shining example of how design can honour cultural and natural contexts while delivering unparalleled comfort and elegance.

Restaurant and Lounges

The resort's farm-to-table culinary offering features a bar and a restaurant, located at the arrival manor and serving Western and Laotian cuisine.

The Great House

Dining at Rosewood Luang Prabang delves deep into the rich Laotian food culture where locally sourced and seasonal produce takes centre stage.

The Great House offers indoor seating and an open-air terrace with large daybeds and sofas overlooking lush gardens and the waterfall. Here guests can experience Laotian farm-to-table dining, authentic local specialties and dishes influenced by the cuisine of historic royal courts. Fresh and flavorful ingredients reign supreme: the culinary offerings are guided by the season's harvest, whereby each morning our chefs visit farmers and fishermen within the vicinity to determine the day's menu, which also enables the restaurant to prepare dishes according to each guest's personal preference, including Western cuisine. 

The design of La Grande Maison, or The Great house - always by Bill Bensley - was inspired by what would have been the home of Auguste Pavie, a French colonial civil servant, explorer and diplomat who was instrumental in establishing French influence over Laos in the last two decades of the 19th century. After a long career in Cambodia and Indochina, Pavie became the first French Vice-Consul in Luang Prabang in 1885, and eventually became the first Governor-General and Minister of the newly formed French colony of Laos.

The Elephant Bridge Bar

A nod to 14th-century Luang Prabang, when the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang, known as the 'Land of a Million Elephants,' the Elephant Bridge Bar is perched above the river where elephants once waded. The bar is perfect for a relaxing late afternoon and evening drink: it offers light snacks, simple and healthy fare, and refreshing hand-crafted cocktails and beverages. It specializes in classic cocktails with a tropical twist, using local herbs and spices that echo Laos' rich and diverse harvests to reflect a true sense of place. 

Sense, A Rosewood Spa

Treatments at Rosewood's signature Sense, A Rosewood Spa combine time-honored Laotian healing remedies and Western techniques, performed in three individual tented villas overlooking the river.  All therapies draw from nature to support life and healthy living and experts help guests select native herbs, plants and fruits from the resort's organic garden for use in tailored, bespoke services.   

“Lost remedies” of Laotian healing practices have been resurrected and include a traditional Lao Herbal Poultice combining heat and freshly picked herbs which is said to have the healing effects of massage and the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture. 

The resort's swimming pool is ideally situated in the center of the resort, adjacent to a natural waterfall, in the forest-enveloped setting.  Guests can take a refreshing swim and relax on sunbeds or in tented cabanas with oversized day beds, while enjoying the tranquil setting and the relaxing sound of the cascading water nearby. Alternatively, guests can always try their hand at a leisurely game of pétanque or croquet in the lush gardens.

Experiences

Complimentary recreational facilities include an outdoor swimming pool. Personalized and tailor-made itineraries are crafted to cover an array of experiences, from wilderness trekking and river cruise tours to cultural and well-being activities.

To view all the experiences available to in-house guests to book, please click here.