Positioned atop a hill, gazing across the sacred mountains, Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao is a unique place to stay. Its calm, tranquil ambiance echoes that of the sleepy World Heritage town of Luang Prabang—the former royal capital of Laos—spread out below. Designed in a traditional style, this intimate hotel is gemmed with teak, silk, and fresh cotton accents. It is famed for its excellent French-influenced local cuisine and an open-air spa beside a water lily pool. Relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy stepping back into a more gracious era.