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Luang Prabang: World Heritage Site
Hotel Scene Awakens After a Rip Van Winkle Sleep
From Tourism Development to Hospitality via Paris
The new managing director of the Souvannaphoum Hotel, who replaces flamboyant Mr. Pierre Perrot, has a long background in tourism.
Ms Souphaphone Sihachakr, who was trained in Paris in the field of tourism development, said she would run the hotel like she would her own house. "I had a good education, became a good housewife, I consider the guests as members of the family and shall do everything to make them feel at home".
Souphaphone said she likes the Souvannaphoum but added there was more room for improvement.
In decoration, the traditional style should be enhanced with a touch of colonial flavor, she said.
Such decoration ought to highlight the richness of local handicrafts and the culture of ethnic minorities. That is why Souphaphone wishes to expand tourism to other northern provinces. "There is a lot more to explore farther north," she said.
Ms Souphaphone feels the restaurant has a good setting but she said guests should not be confined to set menus. They must be given more choice. She also pledges to put more flowers in the tropical garden.
Ensuring year-round occupancy is a problem Souphaphone wants to tackle. Luang Prabang's hotels are full only a few days a year. The situation must be improved somehow. "It depends on tourism promotion. The Tourism Authority of Laos should make further efforts to sell Laos and attract more tourists," Souphaphone said.
Historic Phou Si Hotel Gets a Bright New Image
Mrs. Amphay Keomisry proudly introduces the refurbished Phou Si Hotel, newly emerged from a year's renovation. "It was not merely a facelift, but rather an overhaul," stated the managing director.
The 356-million-kip renovation work included elevating the ground floor to fight humidity. Almost all of the hotel's 43 rooms were demolished, redesigned, and are now equipped with mini-bar, TV and telephone.
Both the lobby and terrace have been enlarged. The dining room seems larger and roomier due to the installation of glass picture windows overlooking the garden. The large fireplace, which can be used in winter, makes for a very warm welcome.
A 30-people capacity conference room is convenient for small seminars. The garden was redesigned to accommodate big receptions and weddings for up to 300 guests. Three thatch-roofed pavilions serve as a bar and handicraft shops.
Most of the staff--now totaling 38 members--was trained at the Asian Pavilion Hotel in Vientiane and can speak English reasonably well.
With only five days "full occupancy" per year, tourist clientele is of course a matter of great concern. Mrs. Amphay, whose hotel does not get clients from tour operators, said she tries to attract Lao officials and members of international organizations to ensure sufficient occupancy all year long. Such guests are granted special discounts. But there is already a steep discount for all guests during the rainy season.
Room rates are US$35 for a standard room, US$40 for a large room, and US$56 for a suite which is actually two connecting rooms, one with twin beds and one with a double bed.
Like other establishments in Luang Prabang, Phou Si Hotel offers baci and classical music and traditional dances for guests.
"One notable advantage for guests staying at the Phou Si is its central location. We are just a few minutes away from everywhere," Mrs. Amphay Keomisry said.
From Barcelona to Luang Prabang via Bali
The Phou Vao Hotel of Luang Prabang now has a new managing director, Ricardo Argiles-Vives. Mr. Argiles, 26, replaces Mr. Pierre Mainetti, who has taken over a hotel in Indonesia.
Mr. Argiles attended one hospitality institution in Spain, then spent three year at the Barcelona Hilton in various positions. He later went to the Centre International de Glion, a prestigious hotel school in Switzerland. He was a member of the staff at Pansea Bali, a 40-room resort made up of individual bungalows set in private gardens, owned by the proprietor of the Societe Hoteliere de Phou Vao, before he was transferred to Luang Prabang.
Mr. Argiles admitted he was shocked when he arrived in Luang Prabang. "It's so different from other places in the world. It's untouched and unspoiled. It's not affected by tourism."
He likes the Phou Vao Hotel which he considers the best in the city and will try to keep it so. However, he has plans to improve some aspects for the better.
Continuing the third phase of the extension, he will give a traditional look to the hotel's architecture by adding distinctive Lao roofs. He may add a bar and restaurant in the lower part of the 3-hectare garden close to the road to attract the Luang Prabang public who at present are under the misconception that the hotel is reserved for foreigners, and they dare not enter, even for a drink.
Mr. Argiles wants to make the pool-side area a comfortable place where people can sit, drink, relax and enjoy the magnificent view of Phou Si hill and the blue mountains far beyond.
Like any hotel owner or manager in Luang Prabang, Mr. Argiles worries of the instability in occupancy of his 57-room and two suites hotel. But he already has a plan to attract Spanish groups by contacting tour operators in Spain. He believes Laos could be a big market for Spanish travel agents. "Spaniards are not adventurous. They wouldn't go to places they don't know. So there is a need for promotional work to acquaint and attract them here."
Another project of Ricardo Argiles is to get the staff involved in the process of making a success of the hotel. He wants them to feel responsible for the destiny of the hotel. "They are the ones who run the hotel. They should be able to run it without me one day in the future," he said.
Hotel with a Palatial Look
A palatial look for the one-billion-kip Hotel Mouang Luang--this was the lofty feat which Mr. and Mrs. Nolintha strived to add to the hotel scene in the ancient capital, Luang Prabang. They managed to translate their ideals into reality.
The hotel's architecture is typical Lane Xang-Luang Prabang using multi-tiered roofs to good advantage, for aesthetic beauty and practical purposes as well. Carved frontons and ornamented pinnacles complete the picture. The impressive structure is a work of art by Bounnalith Kattinyarath who inherited his talent in decorative art from his father Manee, who was a true master woodcarver. The construction of the hotel took exactly one year and was completed only this February.
The majestic ambience carries over into a spacious lobby. The furniture, all made in Luang Prabang by local cabinetmakers, are replicas of those in the original royal palace, including two golden elephant seats inspired by those belonging to King Anouvong displayed in the throne hall. The use of precious wood such as teak and mai taekha enhance the atmosphere of wealth and splendor. Dressed in traditional Lao costumes, the staff further enriches the enchantment.
Managing director Amphone Nolintha, a former pharmacist, said she wanted her guests to feel the richness of Luang Prabang's art and traditions. She personally oversaw every detail in interior decoration. On the beds in 33 rooms and two suites, teak headboards are artfully carved. All upholstery is locally handwoven silk with different patterns and colors in each room.
Guests staying in the front rooms have unspoiled views of Phou Si hill from private balconies. Telephones and mini-bars in all rooms provide efficiency and convenience around the clock. The marble-tiled bathrooms are discreetly luxurious. The restaurant serves Lao food featuring Luang Prabang specialities as well as excellent international cuisine.
A conference room which can accommodate up to 70 people is equipped with a stage. But guests have shown a marked preference to participate in baci ceremonies and watch classical dance performances on the spacious terrace overlooking the garden and sculptured swimming pool. The garden is in the process of being further enlarged and landscaped, promising to be triple in size and beauty when completed.
Mrs. Amphone said her guests include clients sent by tour operators in Vientiane like Lanexang Travel, Inter-Lao Tourism, Diethelm Travel Laos and Sodetour, but also include many individual tourists. The hotel was chosen by the Foreign Ministry to accommodate an important high-ranking Vietnamese delegation during recent pimai celebrations.
The rates are US$35 for single rooms, US$40 for double rooms and US$60 and 80 for suites. The hotel offers a 50 percent discount for Lao officials on short visits or duty.
Mrs. Amphone takes prided in explaining that the Mouang Luang is a family business entirely. She had intended to invest only her own money in it, but when hit by last year's inflation she had to procure a loan from the bank to supplement personal funds.
The managing director said she is confident that more tourists will come to Luang Prabang as it is now on the "World Heritage" list. The city as a whole is doing its utmost to improve and develop in every way, fulfilling the needs of visitors who are hungry for Lao culture, she said.
The managing director concluded: "The Mouang Luang is leaving nothing to chance, but planning every step and putting every effort into showcasing the rich heritage of Lao art, culture and tradition."