destination alt-luxe
game – is widely seen as a reason
for the overall slowdown in foreign
arrivals to Laos. But what of the
steady increase to Luang Prabang in
the past five years and, particularly,
the rise in the number of luxury
travellers?
“In contrast to the general trend
(of a Laos slowdown), we have seen
a significant increase in business
coming through our designated
LUXE sector with 1Q2018
performing 37 per cent better than
the same period last year and agents
booking through the Virtuoso
Luxury Travel network 30 per cent
ahead,” said Exo Travel group
general manager, Hamish Keith.
“This growth is driven in part
because Exo has been promoting
Laos more specifically as a luxury
and experiential destination,
and also due to an increasingly
demanding luxury market for a less
mainstream and more authentic
destination, a niche that Laos
delivers on more levels than the
better promoted but also more
heavily visited neighbours.”
Diethelm Travel Laos general
manager, Georgie Walsh, links
Luang Prabang’s popularity to the
current trend of wealthy travellers
desiring “something different:
cultural, spiritual, adventurous or
trendy”.
Luang Prabang has all of the
above. Visitors to the ancient capital
of 14 th century Laos are transported
back in time to a slower pace, well
preserved place and unaffected
people. The UNESCO listing is a
blessing, for there are rules in place
to ensure Luang Prabang’s heritage
remains intact. The town is unique
– rows of houses in French colonial
architectural style, energetic in
their new purpose as thriving cafes
and French or Laotian restaurants.
Splendid gilded temples co-exist
with Indo-Chinese villas.
Amantaka Luang Prabang, for so
long the destination’s ‘go-to’ for a
luxury hotel, not only has a lot more
company now; the new players are
54 TTG Asia luxury | May 2018
entering with new tricks.
Said Walsh: “Rosewood is
attracting the more experiential
travellers looking for unique
accommodation. Camping being the
latest luxury trend, the property’s
luxury hilltop tents decorated by
the panache of Bill Bensley and
surrounded by a lush jungle makes
it one of the hottest new openings
in South-east Asia. The fact that
it is only a 15-minute drive from
the town centre of Luang Prabang
means that it is easily accessible and
perfect in combination with Siem
Reap, Hanoi or Northern Thailand.”
Minor Hotels also has more
in mind for Luang Prabang than
just an Avani+, its new sub-brand
which, incidentally, to many people
was launched because the Luang
Prabang hotel did not fit as an
Anantara or Avani. Though Avani+
in itself is a coup for Minor – it’s the
former Azerai and is the only hotel
within a stone’s throw to town,
with a large pool and smart rooms
that will appeal to young-at-heart
and tech-savvy travellers – Minor’s
game plan is to connect Laos to
Thailand through cruises along the
mighty Mekong between Thailand’s
Golden Triangle and Laos.
It has launched Mekong
Kingdoms, fielding a fleet of five
refitted luxurious rice barges.
Travellers can join the flagship
Bohème, a 42m, 13-cabin luxury
barge, at Luang Prabang or Chiang
Khong located near Anantara
Golden Triangle Elephant Camp
Above
Minor Group’s
Mekong Kingdoms
creates new luxury
possibilities for
Luang Prabang
In contrast to
the general
trend (of
a Laos
slowdown),
we have seen
a significant
increase in
business
coming
through our
designated
LUXE sector...
Hamish Keith,
group general
manager,
Exo Travel
and Resort. Decorated with intricate
Indo-Chinese-inspired artwork
and fitted with sumptuously
comfortable furnishings from bow
to stern, Bohème spoils with facilities
including an expansive sun deck,
wine cellar and spa.
The journey from Chiang Rai/
Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang is
two nights as it heads downstream.
The upstream cruise takes three
nights. Voyagers will be captivated
by the languid river lifestyle and
nature along the Mekong River
valley.
The other vessels include Gypsy,
an exclusive two-cabin cruiser
perfect for one or more nights
along the Mekong for up to four
passengers; Nomad, ideal for
sunset cruises for couples; Play, a
floating lounge for private events or
adventure for up to 15 passengers;
and Monsoon, a scheduled touring
vessel to the Pak Ou caves, known
for having thousands of Buddha
statues left by pilgrims over
centuries.
Luxury players such as Exo
and Diethelm are also motivated
to ensure word gets around that
Luang Prabang is the new luxe
secret. Diethelm, for instance,
finds the best times to visit main
sites such as the Pak Ou caves or
Kuang Si falls to beat the crowds,
and offers unique offerings such a
sandbank lunch in a private area
on the Mekong River with Mekong
Kingdoms, visits to hidden temples
and specialist workshops.