The slower pace of life and the tranquillity of Luang Prabang, is obvious as soon as we get off the plane in this historic Laotian city socked between the brown waters of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
We peer, noses to windows as we pass the World Heritage-Listed Old Town Centre. History is also a big part of the Sofitel Luang Prabang, as it is housed in a century-old mansion that used to belong to the governor, complete with fortified walls and watchtowers. The property is a UNESCO site, with 25 clay-roofed suites standing sentinel around a 25 metre pool, lush green gardens and restaurant, with the spa, gym and open-sided entry foyer on the outside of the courtyard.
I fall in love with my Pool Villa, with an open-air bathroom, a plunge pool and canopy bed. I also love the traditional Laos sweets such as stuffed yellow bean in coconut pastry, wrapped in banana leaves and left by the bed at night. The tented Governor’s Grill Restaurant dishes up mouth-watering cuisine and does offer cooking classes, however we were busy visiting some of the many beautiful places in and around the city.
We did make time to visit Le Spa, took part in a traditional rice planting on the property and loved reading a book on the sunbed by our very own plunge pool, the tropical scented breeze dancing by.
