Unveiling Vientiane's Hidden Gem: Luxury Redefined in Laos
Unveiling Vientiane's Hidden Gem: (Almost) Paradise Found? A Messy, Honest Review.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (perfectly brewed) tea on this Vientiane luxury hotel. We're talking about the "Hidden Gem," yeah, the one that supposedly redefines luxury in Laos. Let's just say my expectations were… high. And my experience? Well, it was a rollercoaster. Buckle up because we're going in…
First Impressions & Getting There: The Arrival Tango
Accessibility? They say they've got it. And I'd say "yes, mostly," but with a few Laotian quirks. The airport transfer? Seamless! The car, all shiny and ready, the driver, all smiles. Pro tip: Don't forget to tip generously. They deserve it. But the curb leading into the hotel? A bit of a speed bump for my friend, who needs a wheelchair. (We'll circling back to this, because the accessibility aspect is where the "hidden" part of the "Hidden Gem" comes in. We’re talking finding the accessible entrance, not just having it.)
Accessibility:
- General Accessibility: The on-site access is not as easily accessible as you would expect and is difficult to find. The hotel is generally wheelchair-accessible, with ramps and elevators.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: Mostly good, but watch for those little Laotian-style "surprises." Like the slight incline at the entrance, or the occasional high threshold.
- Elevator Access: Accessible elevator.
The Rooms: Luxury, Interrupted by a Mild Case of "Oops!"
Okay, the room. Breathtaking. Seriously, the view from my room was… well, it was postcard-worthy. Air-conditioned bliss after the Vientiane heat! The bed? Cloud nine. Blackout curtains? Bless. Free Wi-Fi? YES! (And it's actually good, unlike some other resorts where the internet is slower than a snail with a broken leg). The extra-long bed was a pleasant surprise. And don’t even get me started on the coffee and tea maker. I’m a major tea head, and the complimentary tea was a great touch!
Available in All Rooms:
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes (fluffy!)
- Bathroom phone (seriously, who needs a bathroom phone?)
- Bathtub (a massive one!)
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting (a bit…dusty, but hey, ambiance!)
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker (essential)
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping (Thank God!)
- Desk
- Extra-long bed
- Free bottled water (a life-saver in the heat!)
- Hair dryer
- High-floor (for the views!)
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi = Yay!)
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies (for those rainy afternoons)
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale (a little too honest, if you ask me…)
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed (genius!)
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries (nice ones!)
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens (important for the fresh air!)
The "Oops!" Moment: The first night, after a truly exquisite dinner, the air conditioning went out. My room turned into a tropical rainforest. I called the front desk (thank God for the bathroom phone!), and within minutes, a team of incredibly apologetic staff were in my room, fixing it. It was fixed quickly, but still, there we are… even the "Hidden Gem" has its gremlins. And this is just one of several little imperfections that make this hotel experience so human.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (Mostly)
This is where things get really good. The food at this place…chef's kiss! Seriously.
Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant (perfect for picky eaters like me!)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar (Happy Hour is a must!)
- Bottle of water (always appreciated)
- Breakfast [buffet] (a massive spread!)
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar (cocktails with a view!)
- Restaurants (several to choose from)
- Room service [24-hour] (a lifesaver, especially after a long day!)
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
The breakfast buffet? Phenomenal. A vast array of both Asian and Western options. The pastries alone… sigh. I had to be physically dragged away from the croissants. Lunch and dinner? The à la carte options were superb. I’ll say that their Asian cuisine, in particular, was really something. And the poolside bar? Pure bliss. Sipping cocktails while staring out over the infinity pool with a view of, well, Vientiane. Heaven.
The staff was attentive and friendly, although sometimes, there were slight language barriers. Don't be afraid to point and gesture. And a good smile goes a long way!
Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Poolside Rambles
The spa. Oh, the spa! I am here to say it was one of the best spa experiences of my LIFE.
Things to do, ways to relax:
- Body scrub (exfoliation heaven!)
- Body wrap (detox and chill)
- Fitness center (if you're into punishing yourself after all that food)
- Foot bath (a little slice of heaven)
- Gym/fitness
- Massage (absolutely divine)
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
I had a body scrub, followed by a massage that melted away all my stress. My muscles are still singing praises. The pool? Stunning. Infinity edge, perfect temperature, and again, that view! I spent hours there, just… thinking. Well, mostly not thinking, if I’m being honest. Just floating and staring. Pure, unadulterated relaxation. The sauna and steam room were also very welcome after a day of exploring the city.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized & Safe… Mostly
In the post-pandemic world, cleanliness is everything. And the "Hidden Gem" seems to understand.
Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
The hotel felt clean. Really clean. They clearly have a rigorous cleaning protocol. I saw staff constantly disinfecting common areas. The individually wrapped food options at the buffet were a nice touch. They also have a doctor/nurse on call, which always provides peace of mind. The staff was exceptionally helpful and attentive. I'm quite sure they're all trained in safety protocol.
Services and Conveniences: So Many Perks!
This place offers everything. It’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest.
Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge (super helpful!)
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store (for those emergency snacks!)
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop (a bit overpriced, but hey, souvenirs!)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this Vientiane Luxury Hotel…thing? Itinerary? More like a fever dream of air-conditioned bliss and questionable decisions. Let's see if I can untangle this ridiculous mess and figure out how I even got here.
Vientiane: The "Luxury" Edition (Because Apparently, Dusting is Optional)
(Day 1: Arrival & That First, Glorious Shower…or Not?)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrive at Wattay International Airport (VTE). Okay, the airport itself wasn’t terrible. Though, the immigration guy did seem a little… confused by my passport. He kept squinting at the picture, like, "Is this you? Because you look…tired." Yup, buddy, I am.
- Transportation: Pre-booked a private transfer to the Vientiane Luxury Hotel. "Luxury," huh? Let's see. The car was thankfully air-conditioned, a godsend in this Lao heat, but the driver kept taking wrong turns. "Lost in translation," he kept muttering. Honestly, I think he was just trying to extend the scenic route for a good laugh.
- First Impressions of the Hotel (Because You Know I Have Opinions): Okay, the lobby looks the part. Shiny marble, some vaguely Asian-inspired art…but wait. Is that… peeling paint? And the air conditioning feels more like a gentle breeze. Uh oh. The check-in process was a disaster. One overly enthusiastic bellhop insisted on carrying all my bags… including the tiny bag of emergency snacks. I swear, he was about to drop them!
- The Room Revelation (and the Urgent Need for Sanitizer): Decided to spring for the "suite." Apparently, "suite" means "slightly larger room with a view of… the hotel’s air conditioning units." The view isn’t ideal. Room's…okay. But the bathroom? Oh dear. The toilet seat wobbles. The "luxury" toiletries are suspiciously generic. And I'm fairly certain I saw a bug. Time to break out the travel-sized hand sanitizer. This is gonna be a long stay.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Sigh. It’s called "Lotus Blossom," and it's…fine. The papaya salad was good, but the service was glacial. I think the waiter forgot about me because he was too busy flirting with the woman at the table next to me.
- Quick side note: I'm allergic to cilantro. I said, "no cilantro." There was cilantro. I just pushed it away and tried to enjoy my Pad Thai.
- Post-Lunch Nap: Tried to nap but could not. Loud noises. Too much light.
- Poolside Attempt: Went to the pool area. The pool is…okay, but the water looks a little murky. Decided to just read my book beside it.
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner at a local restaurant. (And the best experience)
- Taxi Trouble: Getting a taxi was an adventure. Negotiating the price felt like a high-stakes poker game (using hand gestures because my Lao is non-existent).
- Restaurant Bliss: Found a small, unassuming place called "Mama's Kitchen." This place was the absolute bomb. No peeling paint, no questionable odors, just amazing Lao food. The larb (minced meat salad) was a flavor explosion. The fresh spring rolls were heavenly. Even the sticky rice was perfect. The owner, Mama, was this tiny, bustling woman, and she was absolutely delightful. I'm pretty sure she slipped me extra portions because she could see how desperately I needed them. I lingered for hours, just soaking it all in. Best meal of the whole trip. My emotional reaction? Sheer, unadulterated bliss.
- The Aftermath: Back at the hotel finally. Tried to unwind. Failed. The air conditioning in my room isn't good. And an emergency phone call from back home makes me feel homesick.
- Overall Rating: Still no perfect rating.
(Day 2: Temples, Tuk-Tuks, and (Hopefully) Less Cilantro)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up way too early feeling guilty for not waking up earlier.
- Breakfast at the hotel - I did get up early for this. The included breakfast, was… adequate. The coffee tasted like dishwater, which is saying something because I'm not picky about coffee.
- Temple Tour Went with the hotel's tour guide.
- Temple 1 (That's the one with the big, gold stupa): Wat That Luang. It was beautiful. I’m not usually one for religious sites, but the glittering gold was impressive. The throngs of other tourists were less so.
- Temple 2 (That's the one with the reclining Buddha): Wat Si Saket. It was also beautiful. The details were incredible. But I was getting temple fatigue.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Lunch at a little cafe, near the Patuxai and Arc De Triumphe. The food? Not bad. Had the best smoothie.
- Patuxai Monument: Climbed all the way up. The view was pretty good, but the climb up the narrow stairs left me breathless.
- Tuk-Tuk Adventure: Embraced my inner tourist and took a tuk-tuk ride through the city. The driver tried to overcharge me, But I haggled like a pro. (And by "pro," I mean I managed to get the price down by like, a dollar.)
- Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and Night Market exploration.
- Dinner: Found a nice restaurant with some of the best views of the Mekong. The food was good (no cilantro!).
- Night Market: The night market was fun, and I bought a few souvenirs. (A hand-woven scarf I can't tell if I love or hate. And a t-shirt. Because, duh.)
- Post-Market Mood: Back at the hotel. Still battling the air conditioning. Trying to ignore the increasingly aggressive mosquitoes. Contemplating the meaning of life.
(Day 3: Relaxing? (Maybe…) & Departure)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Sleep as long as possible.
- Spa Day: Vientiane Luxury Hotel boasts a "Spa." I’d booked a massage. The masseuse was lovely, but the massage itself was just…okay. Not the life-changing experience I’d hoped for.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Lunch.
- Packing (The Dreaded Task): This is where the messiness really comes out. I had no idea how I was supposed to make everything I packed fit in one suitcase again.
- Evening (4:00 PM): Get ready to go to the airport.
- Goodbye, Vientiane: Off to the airport. Hopefully, my flight is on time. And hopefully, my next adventure will be less…chaotic.
- Last Impressions: The hotel wasn't perfect, but I'd miss the friendly staff (despite the constant mishaps). Vientiane itself was a mix of charm and chaos. The food was incredible. The temples were beautiful. The heat was relentless. Would I come back? Maybe. But next time, I'm skipping the "Luxury" and opting for local charm. And definitely packing more bug spray.
Post-Trip Reflections:
Well, that's a wrap. Did I enjoy Vientiane? Mostly. Did I have a "luxury" experience? Not particularly. Did I get a story out of it? Absolutely! This trip was a reminder that the best travel memories aren't always about the perfect hotels or the flawless itineraries. They're about the unexpected adventures, the delicious meals, the friendly faces, and the occasional, glorious, utterly humiliating moment. And let's be honest – the imperfections are what make it interesting.
Escape to Paradise: Phu Quoc's Palmy Resort & Spa Awaits!
Okay, spill the beans: Is this "Luxury Redefined in Laos" thing REALLY worth it? Like, is it just another overhyped Instagram filter?
So, what's the "luxury" ACTUALLY look like? Give me something specific.
Alright, alright, sounds perfect. But there HAS to be a catch. What’s the downside? Lay it on me.
Tell me more about the food! I'm a foodie! Is the food good?
Okay, you mentioned the spa. Give me the lowdown. Was it as amazing as you made it sound?
What's the vibe of the hotel? Is it a party place? Is it good for families?
Any tips for first-timers going to Laos?
