While attending the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025, I stayed at Avani+ Luang Prabang in northern Laos. It was my first stay at an Avani+ property.
Located in the centre of Luang Prabang, the 53-room hotel places guests within walking distance of the town’s temples, Royal Palace, Mekong River and night market. At the same time, its courtyard layout gives the property a quieter atmosphere away from the surrounding streets.
The Scene
Avani Hotels & Resorts is part of Minor Hotels, while Avani+ is the brand’s higher-end collection. Avani+ Luang Prabang opened in March 2018 as the first Avani+ property.
The hotel occupies a former French colonial-era site and is arranged around a central courtyard. A 25-metre swimming pool sits among mature trees and greenery.
The setting is one of the hotel’s defining features. Luang Prabang’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the hotel is surrounded by temples, cafés, shops and local markets.
The location also makes it easy to explore on foot. The Royal Palace and Mount Phousi are nearby, while the night market is directly opposite the hotel. The Mekong River is about a five-minute walk away.
For guests interested in the town rather than a large resort experience, that location can make a significant difference.
Location in the Heart of Luang Prabang
Avani+ Luang Prabang sits along Kingkitsarath Road, near the entrance to the peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
The Royal Palace is within walking distance, as are several of Luang Prabang’s temples. Wat Xieng Thong is also accessible on foot.
The night market is directly opposite the hotel. In the evening, the surrounding streets become busier with stalls selling handicrafts, textiles, paper lanterns and paintings.
Despite its central position, the hotel itself is relatively quiet. The buildings surround a walled courtyard, which separates the guest areas from much of the activity outside.
Luang Prabang International Airport is about 15 minutes away by car.
The Hotel
The property was originally built in the style of French colonial-era barracks and was once used as living quarters for French officers.
Today, the buildings surround the central courtyard and swimming pool. Verandas, garden areas and shaded walkways connect the different parts of the hotel.
The 25-metre pool is one of the main leisure facilities. It provides space for swimming as well as lounging, while the surrounding greenery gives the courtyard a more secluded feel.
The hotel also has a spa, fitness centre and bicycles for exploring the old town.
Rather than functioning as a large resort, Avani+ Luang Prabang works more as a base for exploring the destination. That distinction is important when considering what the property offers.
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
Avani+ Luang Prabang has 53 rooms and suites. All rooms have either a balcony or terrace, with views facing the pool, courtyard or surrounding area.
The Avani Deluxe Rooms measure 35 square metres. They feature wooden flooring, teak furnishings, local textiles and modern bathrooms.
The Avani Deluxe Pool View Rooms are also 35 square metres and overlook the central pool and courtyard.
The hotel’s larger Avani Suites range from 58 to 85 square metres, depending on the category. They offer separate living areas and additional space for longer stays.
During my stay, I found the room design suited the setting. The use of wood and local-inspired textiles gave the accommodation a connection to Luang Prabang without making the room feel overly traditional.
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.
Dining
The hotel has three main dining and drinking outlets: Main Street Bar & Grill, Main Street Bar and Poolside Bar.
Main Street Bar & Grill is the all-day dining restaurant. Its menu combines Lao dishes with international options.
Lao choices include sticky rice with jeow dips, laap and grilled river fish, while the international selection includes dishes such as pizza, salads and pasta.
Breakfast includes both buffet and à la carte choices.
Main Street Bar occupies the upper floor and has a wrap-around veranda overlooking the street. It is also a useful vantage point for watching the night market activity nearby.
The Poolside Bar is located beside the courtyard pool and serves drinks and light food.
For a longer stay, however, the dining selection may feel somewhat limited compared with a larger resort with several restaurants. The advantage is that the hotel’s central location puts many independent restaurants and cafés within easy walking distance
Spa, Fitness and Pool
Anantara Spa is located above the hotel entrance lobby beside AvaniFit, the property’s fitness centre.
The spa offers treatments influenced by Lao and Thai traditions. During my stay, the facility provided a compact wellness option within the hotel.
AvaniFit includes cardio equipment, weights and space for stretching or yoga. It is open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm.
The outdoor pool sits at the centre of the property beneath mature tropical trees. For a hotel in the middle of Luang Prabang’s old town, having a dedicated swimming pool is a useful addition.
The hotel also provides bicycles for guests who want to explore the surrounding streets independently.
Meeting & Events
Avani+ Luang Prabang also has facilities for smaller meetings and private events.
The Lounge measures 80 square metres and can accommodate up to 50 people.
The Pavilion has 51 square metres of space and can accommodate up to 30 people.
These facilities are more suited to smaller gatherings than large conferences or major events.
What to Consider Before Booking
Avani+ Luang Prabang has a strong location for travellers who want to explore the town on foot. The Royal Palace, temples, Mekong River and night market are all close by.
The hotel itself is also relatively quiet once you enter the courtyard.
However, it is not a large resort with extensive on-site entertainment or a wide range of restaurants. Families looking for numerous children’s activities may find the property quieter than a conventional resort.
Likewise, travellers who prefer to spend most of their holiday inside a hotel may find the facilities relatively compact.
For me, the hotel’s strengths were closely connected to its location. Luang Prabang is the destination, and Avani+ provides a comfortable base from which to experience it.
My Take on Avani+ Luang Prabang
Avani+ Luang Prabang is particularly suited to travellers who want to combine a centrally located hotel with time spent exploring the UNESCO-listed town.
Its 53 rooms, courtyard pool, spa and dining facilities provide the main hotel amenities, while the surrounding neighbourhood supplies much of the experience beyond the property.
The trade-off is that the hotel does not offer the extensive facilities of a large resort. Dining options are also limited compared with larger properties.
For an independent traveller, however, being able to walk from the hotel to the night market, temples, Royal Palace and Mekong River is a significant practical advantage.
My stay during the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 gave me the opportunity to experience the hotel while exploring Luang Prabang. For me, the property works best as a comfortable base for discovering the town rather than as a destination resort in its own right.
Explore the Mekong from Luang Prabang
Another option for travellers staying in the area is to combine a visit to Luang Prabang with a Mekong River journey.
The Bohème, operated by Mekong Kingdoms, offers five-night journeys between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. The vessel has 13 suites and includes dining, a bar, lounge and spa.
For travellers interested in seeing more of Laos beyond Luang Prabang, a river journey can be combined with a hotel stay in the town.
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