Avani+ Luang Prabang
While attending the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 last week, I stayed at the Avani+ Luang Prabang. It was my first time staying at an Avani+ property, but I’m sure I’ll keep them in mind for future trips.
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The Scene
Before anything else, some background of Avani+ and its role in Minor Hotels.
Avani Hotels & Resorts is one of the core brands under Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group based in Bangkok, Thailand. The Avani+ label represents the upper-tier within the Avani brand — offering more distinctive locations, elevated design, and lifestyle-led experiences compared to standard Avani hotels.
Opened in March 2018, Avani+ Luang Prabang is the group’s first Avani+ hotel. It is a stylish, serene retreat that blends French colonial charm with modern sophistication, set within a historic, UNESCO-listed neighborhood.
Guests often start their day with the view of saffron-robed monks passing silently on their morning alms walk — a uniquely Luang Prabang experience that begins just beyond the hotel gates.
The Location
Avani+ Luang Prabang is located right in the heart of Luang Prabang in northern Laos. The property is surrounded by picturesque mountains and perched at the entrance to a narrow peninsula bordered by the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. The airport is 15 minutes away by car.
It sits along Kingkitsarath Road, just steps away from the Royal Palace, dating back to when Luang Prabang was the capital of a powerful kingdom, and a few minutes’ walk from Mount Phousi and the night market where you can shop for wooden handicrafts, locally woven fabrics, paper lanterns and paintings.
The Mekong River is a 5-minute stroll away, and temples like Wat Xieng Thong are easily accessible.
Its central location means that guests are surrounded by the town’s rich cultural tapestry, colonial architecture, Buddhist temples, and vibrant local life, all within walking distance.
Despite this centrality, the property remains peaceful, protected from the main street’s hustle by its walled garden design.
The Hotel
Once was the site of the French officers’ living quarters in the early-20th century, the property was built in the style of colonial-era barracks.
The landmark buildings eventually came under the auspices of the Minor Hotels group that includes the Anantara, Oaks and Tivoli-branded hotels and resorts.
The hotel is arranged around a lush central courtyard, where tropical greenery, heritage trees, and a sleek 25-meter swimming pool create a resort-like calm in the heart of the city.
It’s also one of only a handful of hotels in the city with a swimming pool.
Designed for relaxation and cultural immersion, the hotel features breezy verandas, quiet reading nooks, and shaded walkways.
The open-air bistro and bar offer views onto the street. Wellness is also a focus, with a compact but serene spa offering traditional Laotian therapies and a fitness center available for guests.
Despite being just steps from the Royal Palace, the night market, and Luang Prabang’s most famed temples, the property feels like a private sanctuary, and is ideal for travelers seeking comfort, culture, and a slower pace.
Rooms & Suites
The hotel features 53 rooms and suites. Every room opens onto either a private balcony or terrace, with teak flooring, indigenous fabrics and sleek design. Many rooms have views of the pool, courtyard, or quiet streetscape.
All accommodations come with modern comforts like complimentary Wi-Fi, international power outlets, espresso machines, and well-stocked minibars.
Avani Deluxe Rooms offer 35 square meters of space with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and natural light. Subtle Laotian textiles, wooden furniture, and clean-lined bathrooms create a calm, contemporary ambiance.
Avani Deluxe Pool View Rooms provide with the added bonus of direct pool-blue views, which is ideal for those who love to step straight from their room to a sunbed.
Avani Suites at 58 – 85 square meters, are the hotel’s most spacious option. They include separate living areas, generous bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs, and elegant colonial-style decor. Avani suites are perfect for longer stays or travelers who appreciate extra room to unwind.
Dining
Avani+ Luang Prabang has 3 dining outlets.
Main Street Bar & Grill is the hotel’s all-day dining venue, set in an open-air space facing the quiet boulevard. The restaurant serves a thoughtful blend of regional Lao dishes and Western favorites. Think sticky rice with jeow dips, spicy laap, or grilled river fish — alongside wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and pastas.
Breakfasts are relaxed and generous, with à la carte and buffet-style options. As the day turns to evening, the ambiance becomes more romantic, with candlelit tables, craft cocktails, and Mekong-inspired bites.
You can also enjoy in-room dining for quiet mornings or a private dinner on the balcony or terrace.
Main Street Bar is the upper-floor bar that offers a wrap-around verandah from which to observe street life below. There enjoy a refreshing afternoon cocktail infused with traditional Lao spirits; or watch the night market come to life with a sundowner or aperitif.
You can relax at the Poolside Bar under the bodhi tree with a freshly squeezed juice or cool tropical smoothie. Imagine recharge after a few laps in the pool with light bites from the Main Street Bar & Grill brought straight to your lounger.
Wellness
Spa facilities are above the hotel entrance lobby, next door to the gym or AvaniFit.
Anantara Spa with their signature treatments inspired by timeless Thai techniques is famous in Luang Prabang.
With holistic therapies that blend luxurious pampering and long-lasting benefits for the body, mind and soul, Anantara Spa at Avani+ Luang Prabang is an intimate haven of tranquility for ultimate relaxation. Tel +856 071 262 333 Email [email protected]
The on-site fitness centre AvaniFit features top-notch cardio machines and weight stations, and floor space for stretching or yoga. It opens daily 7:00am – 9:00pm
The award-winning 25-metre outdoor Swimming Pool, shaded by tropical trees, offers a peaceful spot for both laps and lounging.
The hotel offers Complimentary Bicycles for exploring the UNESCO-listed old town at your own pace. Enquire with the always friendly Front Desk.
Meeting & Event
The hotel offers customizable indoor and outdoor spaces cater for private gatherings or small corporate events.
The Lounge is 80 square metres big and can accommodate 50 people.
Pavilion has 51 square metres of space and can accommodate up to 30 persons.
Bottom Line
While Avani+ Luang Prabang has a lot of merits such as its prime location at the heart of Luang Prabang; its colonial-chic design; award-winning pool, relaxing courtyard; thoughtful wellness and spa; comfortable rooms, spacious verandahs; and friendly and helpful staff, there are areas which are not so great.
For example, for guests staying multiple nights, dining variety may feel limited, though, thankfully, many restaurants and cafés are nearby. Also, it doesn’t offer much a resort-style experience for families or travelers seeking lots of on-site entertainment, kids’ activities might find it a bit quiet. Lastly, the hotel doesn’t offer large-scale services like a concierge lounge or shuttle tours. On the other hand, the hotel is best for independent, culture-focused travelers.
Verdict: Avani+ Luang Prabang is ideal for couples, solo travelers, and culturally curious guests looking for elegant, comfortable stays in a walkable location. It’s quiet, stylish, and convenient.
Another activity while you are there, take a five-night journeys between UNESCO World Heritage Luang Prabang and quaint Vientiane, the capital, on the luxurious cruiser Bohème, the Grand Dame of The Mekong.
Three spacious decks afford a life of comfort and up-close views of river life. And with only 13 suites, tranquility is assured, while leisurely afternoons can be enjoyed at the spa, and elegant evenings on the top deck with its dining salon, bar and lounge. Tel +856 (0) 71 262 333 Email [email protected]
+856 71 262333
Setthathirath Road, Hua Xieng Village, Luang Prabang 06000
