A Review & Photos: The Avani+ Hotel in Luang Prabang
The Avani is a 5-star hotel, located just off the main road in the city of Luang Prabang, Laos.
It’s a mix of historical charm and modern, contemporary design.
The original complex was built more than a century ago! In 1914, it served as French officer quarters during their occupation of Indochina (Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos). It then became The Hotel Phousi from 1961 for 50 years.
In 2014, the land was purchased and transformed into the Azerai, and then the Avani.
You can use this interactive map, which is centered on the Avani+, to plug in your dates. It’ll give you the best rates at the Avani and other hotels and rentals nearby.
Location, Location, Location
I looked at a number of hotels in Luang Prabang, and settled on the Avani mostly because of its location.
You’ll find more luxurious accommodations outside of town, but for me, it was important to be able to walk to the center of the city and explore it on my own timeline.
At the Avani, you’ll be literally a few steps away from the Night Market and the Morning Market.
Plus, you’ll be very close to the traditional “Ahms Giving” ceremony each morning for the monks, along with cafes, shops, and other sites in the heart of Luang Prabang. It’s all easily walkable from the Avani+, so the location is a prime reason for choosing it as your hub.
At the same time, you won’t hear any city noise. The rooms and suites are far enough removed from the main street that the noise doesn’t travel.
The Avani is about a 10-minute ride from the airport. While the hotel offered us a $40 pickup, we found a taxi for $15.
Avani Rooms & Suites
The property features contemporary rooms and suites, which contain nods to the site’s colonial history. You’ll find wooden furniture, teak flooring in certain areas, and large French doors, which open onto terraces overlooking the courtyard and pool.
The Avani+ is home to 53 rooms and suites:
The Avani Deluxe Rooms
- 35 square meters
- Ground-floor rooms feature patios with chairs and daybeds
- Second-floor rooms have balconies.
- Some second-floor rooms overlook the pool, while others have views of Mount Phousi
Avani Suites
- 58 square meters (and larger)
- Featuring private balconies or patios, furnished with chairs and sunbeds
All of the rooms and suites offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, minibar, coffee machine, rain shower, and a balcony or terrace.
The Hotel Pool & Spa
The pool at the Avani+ is 25 meters in length. The deep green tiles give it a more natural look. It’s surrounded by towering trees, which are beautiful … but have me wondering how much work it takes to keep the water free of seeds and leaves!
The spa is very pretty, and offers a wide variety of services on-site.
Walking down the main street in the city, you’ll find massages and facials for a fraction of the price.
We enjoyed an hour-long foot massage for just about $6!
The gym at the Avani is one of the nicest I’ve seen at a hotel recently. It’s well-equipped, whether you’re looking to do some cardio or strength train on your vacation. I also appreciate the fact that, while it technically doesn’t open until 7:00am, the staff will let you in anytime you want.
Avani’s Restaurant: Main Street Bar & Grill
I’d recommend having breakfast each morning at the Avani’s restaurant. It’s an expansive spread with eggs, breads, fruits, etc.
They also offer poolside service: snacks and drinks all day, in addition to a full dinner menu at night.
I also like that they serve local coffee, grown by farmers in the Laotian hills.
Additional Hotel Services
The Avani has several fancy vans, which you can book for day trips.
We paid $100 to be driven to the Kuang Si Waterfalls and a few other sites outside the city.
They also have electric golf cart-style vehicles to take you to different spots around the city.
You’ll also have bicycles to use around town.
Each morning right outside the hotel, you can participate in the “Ahms Giving” ceremony, to pay respects to the local monks.
At night, you can book a sunset cruise along the Mekong.
Wrap: Staying at the Avani+
I’m glad we chose the Avani for our trip to Luang Prabang! Aside from the location and design of the rooms and property, we really enjoyed the staff.
We spent a full day with Baht, visiting a number of sites nearby, and Asri at the front desk was also a wealth of knowledge about the area and things to do.
