Amantaka

Many Aman hotels are ground-up productions, where every aspect of the building can be painstakingly controlled. Amantaka, by contrast, occupies an authentic French colonial building in old-town Luang Prabang, a city that’s as much a spiritual center as it is a leisure destination. While the building adds some historical gravity, it doesn’t detract at all from the perfectionistic luxury that is Aman’s stock in trade — and the meditative aspect of the setting is perfect for a proper escape.

The result is without a doubt the finest hotel in town, which is something that tends to happen whenever Aman sets up shop. The 24 suites are soothing, spacious, and visually sparse, with outdoor living areas and in some cases private pools. You’ll lack for nothing in terms of comfort, and the service, as always, is out of this world — many Aman guests simply refuse to stay anywhere else, and there are good reasons for that.

And for all the luxe seclusion, Amantaka goes out of its way to provide opportunities to connect with the locale. Your hosts can arrange temple visits, cultural experiences, craft classes, and cruises on the Mekong River. The hotel’s world-class spa incorporates traditional Lao therapies, and the restaurant turns local produce into classic Laotian dishes, or anything you like — if you’ve got something special in mind there’s no question your hosts can make it happen.

How to get there:
Amantaka is located 10 minutes by car from Luang Prabang International Airport. The airport is serviced by scheduled flights from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap, Singapore, and Vientiane, Laos’s capital.