We are going to Amantaka next month. Any advice on the rooms? We have booked a Khan suite. Also we would like to take a boat trip on their private boat. The hotel is quite full and we have choice of either morning (8:00am), afternoon (1:00), or sunset (4-6). Any recommendations? Also any other experiences ypu recommend?

The Khan Suites are really nice and are amazing value. I like #9, but they are all lovely.

They have 2 private long tailed boats. I like the afternoon trip as you see all the school children rushing down to the river for a swim and shrieking with laughter. Couple this with the sheer calm and peacefulness of the experience, plus a few canap�s and it's heaven.

There are dozens of temples to see and lots of little shops and caf�s within walking distance of Amantaka - the hotel will guide you to the best spots - it just depends on how much you want to do.

Do not miss the spa - it is world class. I think you will want to spend quite a bit of time in the hotel itself as it is so lovely.

Hope you have a great stay!

Thank you for the advice! Will do the afternoon boat trip!

Any room is good, Khan Suite as well.
Ask for one on the right hand side, since you then can see the mountains as soon as you step out of your door.

For the boat trip I agree with Vuittons: Take the afternoon tour - it's magic!

I have just returned from Amantaka and absolutely loved it, the best service I have ever experienced at an Aman (and that is saying a lot, since Aman service is nonpareil in general). We were in the Amantaka Suite, but our friends were in a Khan Suite and I liked it just as much. The interiors are so soothing and immaculately designed.

I agree with everyone's recommendation of the afternoon Mekong Cruise. We spent a lot of time on property, as it was sheer heaven there, and Luang Prabang itself was quite touristy so beyond seeing a few temples and bicycling around, it was nice just to be at Amantaka. Their cooking classes out at their organic farm sounded really great, as did their excursion focused on the endangered bears.

You are going to have a wonderful experience. Enjoy!

Larkin, I tried to respond to the PM I received from you, but the system says you have A block on receiving emails. In answer to your question, the Bangkok Airways flight deplaned from the rear. Good thinking in advance, because yes, the visa on arrival line can take some time. Take a passport-size photo or you can pay them $1 to photocopy your passport.

Groombridge thank you! And I will unblock my mail for future! Happy holidays!

Thanks all for the inputs, how's the weather in Jan? Am going next month , any other things to note?
Amanpuri ' s the busiest I've seen it so wondering if
Larkin encountered similar with Tet & Chinese NY falling so close to the NY 2012 .

The weather in Jan. should be great. We were there a few weeks ago. Weather was warm during day, but not too hot and humid. Very comfortable, and cooled down at night. If you want to enjoy dinner by the pool you will need a sweater or light jacket. We loved Amantaka, and highly recommend the khan pool suite which we had#7 with a large terrace and pool. Also highly recommend the afternoon trip down the Mekong, and the spa! The property was full as it was NYEve timeframe, but the service was still excellent.

We will be in Khan suites too, rather full too but should be ok. Looking forward.. Wondering about the transit from BKK.

If you are flying in Bangkok Air there is no first or business. The plane we had was an ATR 2/2 seating. Sit in the back of the plane about row 15, 16 as you want to be first off to avoid the ling line for visa on arrival in Luang Prabang. The plane enters and exits from a rear staircase! Transit can be ok if your flight on time.

Thanks for the tip - will try to reserve tomorrow for 4 of us
Is the trip/ visit to the caves enjoyable?
If you've time, perhaps let us know what the " must dos / see are or skip "
Hope you get to another Aman this year
Perhaps some of us , Amanjunkies , should meet at one. .. Including Deer, Groombridge, Vuittons .. !

The caves themselves are ok - but the trip on the river there is ab-so-lutely magic! Do it in the afternoon, so you will have the sunset on the way back...

I've been to Amantaka in the first week of January and agree with most points:
* Khan Suites are very nice
* Normal pool vila not so great (we had 2 rooms), we didn't make use of the pool once

* Afternoon Mekong Cruise is a must do. Stopping at the village to see the locals making spirit & visit market is NOT worth it. The caves are a joke in my opinion. They make you walk up all these stairs to see a Buddha dumping ground

* We also did a cooking class which I can highly recommend.

* The Guided city walking tour is totally overpriced imo. We were four people and paid around US$200 for a 1 full day tour. The guide was very nice but didn't give that many insights

Thanks, will go for the afternoon cruise but skip the caves - don't think climbing in the heat will be any fun.. With some octogenarians
Fit in the other worthwhile activities plus the ' spa ' - suggested by some from the Amanpuri spa team