Rosewood or Belmond? (Luang Prabang, Laos)
Nov 24, 2022, 12:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 7
Rosewood or Belmond? (Luang Prabang, Laos)
I'm planning a three-night stay in Luang Prabang, Laos next month. I'm torn between Rosewood (riverside room) and La Residence Phou Vao, a Belmond Hotel (Mountain View Junior suite). Below my initial assessment:
Rosewood:
+ Feels more luxurious (Bensley design)
+ More intimate (23 rooms vs. 32 at Belmond)
- No gym
Belmond:
+ Better facilities (the pool looks nicer, they have a fitness center)
+ Better view from the room (considering the room category I'm considering in both properties)
- Online reviews not as good as those of Rosewood
The location doesn't matter (both hotels have shuttles to the city and can plan my excursions). Any information to help me decide would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Rosewood:
+ Feels more luxurious (Bensley design)
+ More intimate (23 rooms vs. 32 at Belmond)
- No gym
Belmond:
+ Better facilities (the pool looks nicer, they have a fitness center)
+ Better view from the room (considering the room category I'm considering in both properties)
- Online reviews not as good as those of Rosewood
The location doesn't matter (both hotels have shuttles to the city and can plan my excursions). Any information to help me decide would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Nov 24, 2022, 1:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 318
Stayed in Belmond a few years back. Was in the same position, got a good rate at Belmond and Rosewood was pretty new so went with Belmond
You've basically nailed the pros/cons from what i see. Good view, good spa/facilities. Service was off. Food was not good. I think we preferred our more modest hotel in town.
I'd probably suggest Rosewood
check out Manda de laos for dinner.
You've basically nailed the pros/cons from what i see. Good view, good spa/facilities. Service was off. Food was not good. I think we preferred our more modest hotel in town.
I'd probably suggest Rosewood
check out Manda de laos for dinner.
Nov 25, 2022, 3:27 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Everywhere
Programs: UA GS 3MM, NH PLT
Posts: 764
If it were me.... neither. Not sure what the rates are on the dates you're looking at, but Amantaka is much closer to the center of the action.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Nov 25, 2022, 4:12 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
If it were me.... neither. Not sure what the rates are on the dates you're looking at, but Amantaka is much closer to the center of the action.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Nov 25, 2022, 5:30 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 7
Stayed in Belmond a few years back. Was in the same position, got a good rate at Belmond and Rosewood was pretty new so went with Belmond
You've basically nailed the pros/cons from what i see. Good view, good spa/facilities. Service was off. Food was not good. I think we preferred our more modest hotel in town.
I'd probably suggest Rosewood
check out Manda de laos for dinner.
You've basically nailed the pros/cons from what i see. Good view, good spa/facilities. Service was off. Food was not good. I think we preferred our more modest hotel in town.
I'd probably suggest Rosewood
check out Manda de laos for dinner.
If it were me.... neither. Not sure what the rates are on the dates you're looking at, but Amantaka is much closer to the center of the action.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Amantaka is far from being among the best Aman properties in their portfolio, but La Residence Phuo Vhao was somewhat dark and depressing, and lacked the intimacy and privacy (similar to other Belmond properties in the region, including Governor's Residence in Yangon) and Rosewood is way too far - you won't get any sense of being in a very nice UNESCO town by staying there, IMO.
Nov 25, 2022, 8:46 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,298
I'm planning a three-night stay in Luang Prabang, Laos next month. I'm torn between Rosewood (riverside room) and La Residence Phou Vao, a Belmond Hotel (Mountain View Junior suite). Below my initial assessment:
Rosewood:
+ Feels more luxurious (Bensley design)
+ More intimate (23 rooms vs. 32 at Belmond)
- No gym
Belmond:
+ Better facilities (the pool looks nicer, they have a fitness center)
+ Better view from the room (considering the room category I'm considering in both properties)
- Online reviews not as good as those of Rosewood
The location doesn't matter (both hotels have shuttles to the city and can plan my excursions). Any information to help me decide would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Rosewood:
+ Feels more luxurious (Bensley design)
+ More intimate (23 rooms vs. 32 at Belmond)
- No gym
Belmond:
+ Better facilities (the pool looks nicer, they have a fitness center)
+ Better view from the room (considering the room category I'm considering in both properties)
- Online reviews not as good as those of Rosewood
The location doesn't matter (both hotels have shuttles to the city and can plan my excursions). Any information to help me decide would be extremely appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Belmond is up a hill and may not be so accessible if you like strolling out on a whim. Strolling toward the river is nice and relaxing.
Amantaka is certainly nice and charming. Unless you insist on “Aman luxury” I would actually go for the former Azerai LP which is up the road from Amantaka - Avani Hotel LP ( I think ) . Has all the facilities incld a very nice pool. But unsure what it’s like under Avani .
Jul 25, 2023, 11:34 pm
#9
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
Rosewood is way out of the “centre” ( even w transport) and I am also wary of the so called Bensley design ( the disaster that’s Capella Ubud)
Belmond is up a hill and may not be so accessible if you like strolling out on a whim. Strolling toward the river is nice and relaxing.
Amantaka is certainly nice and charming. Unless you insist on “Aman luxury” I would actually go for the former Azerai LP which is up the road from Amantaka - Avani Hotel LP ( I think ) . Has all the facilities incld a very nice pool. But unsure what it’s like under Avani .
Belmond is up a hill and may not be so accessible if you like strolling out on a whim. Strolling toward the river is nice and relaxing.
Amantaka is certainly nice and charming. Unless you insist on “Aman luxury” I would actually go for the former Azerai LP which is up the road from Amantaka - Avani Hotel LP ( I think ) . Has all the facilities incld a very nice pool. But unsure what it’s like under Avani .