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With dazzling temples and a wonderful culinary scene, Luang Prabang is a must-visit in Laos.
Luang Prabang’s main sights and attractions are in the Old Quarter, a Unesco site.
When considering where to stay in Luang Prabang, knowing where you are relative to the Old Quarter is key.
Typically, the further from the Old Quarter, the more affordable accommodations are. However, all around Luang Prabang, you’ll find many luxury hotels, guest houses, and hotels with pools to suit all budgets.
From our culinary travels in Luang Prabang, we’ve put together this guide to the best Luang Prabang hotels for food lovers.
Eat local and explore the culinary culture when you stay at any of these top 10 Luang Prabang hotels.
Map of Luang Prabang Hotels
You will find a list of 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, and guest houses in Luang Prabang. We recommend these Luang Prabang accommodations for their exceptional services and convenience to the local food specialties.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: While in the culinary capital of Laos, we recommend taking a cooking class and exploring the traditional recipes. This was one of our favorite activities in the city. To help guide you, see our Top 7 Luang Prabang Cooking Classes To Love Lao Cuisine
5 Star-Hotels in Luang Prabang For Food Lovers
Luang Prabang is one of the most charming destinations in Southeast Asia, and you’ll find a growing collection of high-end boutique hotels.
You will not find huge resorts but luxury hotels with impeccable service, amenities, and unbelievable views.
1. Rosewood Luang Prabang – Luxury
Rosewood is one of the best hotels in Luang Prabang and is located at the top of a hill in a beautiful, lush area.
While we didn’t stay at the Rosewood Luang Prabang, we did visit the luxury resort to discover Royal Laos cuisine at the Great House restaurant.
On our visit, we toured the villas and saw the rooms, each unique and inspired by explorers and personalities of the region.
This luxury hotel offers spa services, including traditional Lao healing therapies. There are also a host of activities such as almsgiving, nature excursions, meditation, and others to help you relax and soak in the local culture.
In addition to discovering Royal Lao cuisine at the Great House restaurant, you can also enjoy other Lao or international foods.
For a relaxing and luxurious stay in Luang Prabang, you will be delighted at the Rosewood Luang Prabang
2. La Résidence Phou Vao Hotel – Luxury
Another Luang Prabang luxury hotel to consider is La Résidence Phou Vao. We love this hotel for a number of reasons.
The restaurant’s chef, Larisa Vesterbacka, is the only female executive chef in Laos. Her specialty is in creating dishes using Lao traditional slow cooking methods.
Besides the restaurant, La Residence Phou Vao hotel is set on a hilltop offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere with mountain views.
The rooms are spacious, and a variety of spa treatments are offered. There is also a large outdoor pool and a small lake nearby.
A stay at La Résidence Phou Vao is an immersion into Lao culinary culture at one of the best luxury hotels.
3. Sofitel Luang Prabang – Luxury
A little outside of the Old Town is the Sofitel Luang Prabang, another one of the best luxury hotels to consider.
From the French luxury hotel chain, the Sofitel Luang Prabang blends French elegance with traditional Lao heritage.
The hotel is the home of the former French governor, and it has been updated to a modern luxurious award-winning hotel.
Each suite or villa comes with its own private garden and swimming pool. There is also a spa and bike rental available to explore the Old Town.
The onsite Governor’s Grill is a farm-to-table restaurant that fuses Laotian cooking with a modern twist.
If you are looking to dive even deeper into traditional Laotian flavors, cooking classes are offered in the hotel kitchen with a focus on the local specialties.
To savor Laotian flavors from farm to table and in a cooking class, a stay at the Sofitel is ideal.
It’s one of the best luxury hotels in Luang Prabang, with a tailored blend of comfort, hospitality, and the flavors of Laos.
Best Places to Stay in the Old Town – Walking to Sights and Local Food
The Old Quarter is located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Khan River and the Mekong River.
It is a surprisingly calm and peaceful part of Luang Prabang, especially as you approach the end of the Peninsula.
The main sights and temples, markets, and restaurants are all easily accessible by foot in the Old Quarter.
You will find several local places to sample Laos food, from local eateries to gourmet restaurants.
4. 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery Hotel Collection – Luxury
For a luxury stay in Luang Prabang’s Old Town, consider staying at the boutique and chic hotel, 3 Nagas Luang Prabang.
This contemporary boutique hotel has had a storied history, from a private mansion to an ice cream factory, and is now a luxury hotel in the Old Quarter.
The decor at 3 Nagas Hotel is Laotian style with dark wooden teak furnishings with modern amenities. The hotel’s restaurant focuses on Laos cuisine made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Located within a 5 – 10 minute walk of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, you can easily catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
The 3 Nagas Hotel is a beautiful property that blends old charm with chic luxury.
For easy access to the city centre and exceptional local Laos cuisine, this is one of the best places to stay.
5. The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel – Mid-Range
When you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Luang Prabang, don’t overlook the Belle Rive Boutique Hotel. It’s conveniently located near many temples, restaurants, and the night market.
The Mekong River flows next to the Belle Rive hotel, offering scenic views, and you can also ride around using free bicycles from the hotel.
Mount Phuosi, also known as the “sacred mountain,” is located within walking distance, and it offers panoramic views of the city.
The hotel restaurant, elegantly set under a group of coconut trees, offers traditional Laotian cuisine.
For a romantic touch, you can even book a sunset cruise for free through the hotel before or after you eat.
With the local markets nearby and traditional Lao food served at the restaurants, this is one of the best affordable places to stay.
6. Villa Sirikili Hotel Luang Prabang – Budget
Consider staying at Villa Sirikili Hotel, a three-star hotel in Luang Prabang with views of the Nam Khan River.
Villa Sirikili Hotel is cozy and not extravagant with simple dark wood furnishings with modern comfort.
The attentive staff makes all the difference in making your stay relaxed and tranquil.
The complimentary breakfast isn’t to be missed, featuring options like fried rice with beef and vegetables, noodle soup with pork, and pancakes.
After eating, you can rent a bicycle from the hotel to explore the surrounding area.
And, around the hotel, you can enjoy a small garden that’s on the beautiful property.
Best Hotels Outside the Old Quarter
If you are looking to stay outside of the Old Quarter, some areas are still walkable
Bike rentals or bike services are offered in most hotels and hostels in Luang Prabang if you are looking to venture further from the Unesco town.
There are two main markets near the Old Town. The morning market and the night market. Both are a must-visit while in Luang Prabang.
The morning market is great to explore the local foods and ingredients and get a feel for the local culture.
The night market is similar to a “giant street food street” that’s geared toward tourists. You will still find some great local foods to sample.
The following hotel is one of the best place to stay by the night market.
READ MORE: 15 Must-Try Laos Food: Explore Authentic Flavors in Luang Prabang
7. Maison Dalabua – Mid-Range With Pool
What makes Maison Dalabua one of the best Luang Prabang hotels is its location and amenities.
Serenity is how to best describe the experience at Maison Dalabua Boutique Hotel. Green and lush, the hotel is set around tropical gardens, including three Unesco-listed lily ponds.
To escape the sweltering heat, you can unwind in the narrow outdoor pool or opt for spa services.
The hotel restaurant, Manda de Laos, focuses on homestyle traditional Lao cuisine and is located in the garden next to the lily ponds.
There is a breakfast buffet offered every morning with both Laotian and Western options.
The old center is easily accessible within a 15-minute walking distance.
And, if you prefer, you can take one of the hotel’s free bicycles into the historic town.
Guest Houses Outside the Old Quarter
Guest houses are popular accommodation options in Luang Prabang. They range from hostels and B&Bs all the way up to cozy, boutique-like hotels.
All the guest houses come with varying facilities depending on which actual room you choose. However, most will include air-conditioning, fans, and hot water in the bathrooms.
Keep in mind prices fluctuate throughout the year depending on demand. You can snag great bargains in the off-months.
We stayed at a guest house that was within walking distance of the Old City. We loved how clean it was and the easy and convenient location.
The exceptional service we received, including airport shuttle service and local recommendations, made it a great experience.
Here are a few popular options.
Best Places To Stay By Nam Khan River
8. Thongbay Guesthouse with Swimming Pool
This small family-run guesthouse sits on the banks of the Nam Kham River. From your room, you also have views of Phousi Mountain.
While budget-friendly, Thongbay Guesthouse offers a private balcony with each of the rooms.
Other amenities include a swimming pool, free bicycle usage, and daily shuttle service to the historic town and back.
Breakfast is served either at the hotel restaurant or on your private terrace. There are several breakfast menus available, and we recommend going for the local Lao breakfast specialties.
For a serene and peaceful experience with comfort and understated elegance, book your stay at Thongbay Guesthouse.
9. Merry Riverside Hotel – Budget
This family-owned hotel is a 5-minute walk away from the center of Luang Prabang. Located nearby are the Royal Palace Museum, several Buddhist temples, the local market, and restaurants.
Decorated with Laos traditional arts, this Merry Riverside hotel has only about 15 rooms, with some rooms offering views of the Nam Khan River.
The daily buffet breakfast is one of the highlights of staying at this hotel, including the incredibly friendly and helpful staff.
Bamboo Garden, 88 Chophouse, and Luang Prabang Old House Restaurant are all highly-rated restaurants close by.
And Bamboo Garden is a convenient choice if you want to sample traditional Laotian food like Koy Pa or fish salad.
Best Places To Stay By Mekong River Near Phosi Market
10. On The Mekong Resort – Budget
A peaceful refuge next to the Mekong River, On The Mekong Resort has lots of open space and private areas to relax.
Luang Prabang historic center is close by and easily accessible by bikes, which are rented by the resort, or via daily shuttle service.
A unique resort in Luang Prabang, On The Mekong, is built in the style of traditional Lao ethnic homes found in the villages.
Expect warm traditional decor made with dark woods, antiques, and, most importantly, friendly staff who will make your stay a success.
The daily breakfast buffet includes hot cooked dishes, an array of fruits, fresh juices, and Lao and Asian-style options.
Phosi Market, the largest market in Luang Prabang, is close by, and it is worth visiting for more local food experiences.
This resort is located next to a Buddhist Temple, and there is a local elementary school close by. Expect to hear the sounds of monks ringing bells and young children playing in the morning.
For the tranquility and gorgeous sunsets over the Mekong River, you’ll love your stay at On The Mekong Resort.
Of the options highlighted, where would you like to stay in Luang Prabang? Please let us know in the comments below.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest