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When you start searching for hotels in Luang Prabang, the options can feel endless—and it’s hard to know which place will actually feel calm once you’re there.
It’s not the cheapest place in town, but it’s the kind of spot that suits a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or a treat-yourself stay.
I stayed here myself and spent most of my time in the Superior Temple Room, and in this review I’ll walk you through the location, the different room types, what I liked and what to watch out for—so you can decide if this is the right base for your Luang Prabang trip.
The building is a carefully restored French colonial house that used to be the budget-friendly SAYO GUESTHOUSE, now transformed by a Swiss owner with a strong eye for detail.
Even when the Night Market is in full swing, the street in front of the hotel stays calm and easy to sleep in.
Right across the road is Wat Xiengmouane, a small temple that doesn’t attract big tour groups.
Breakfast is not included in the room rate .
You can request it as a paid add-on—just let the staff know at check-in if you’d like to have breakfast at the hotel.
At the same time, Luang Prabang has many cafés, restaurants and even morning market stalls that only open at breakfast time, so choosing not to eat breakfast at the hotel is also a perfectly good option if you want to explore the local food scene in the mornings.
ADVICE ADDED
If having breakfast included is a must for you, double-check the current plan details before you book, as these things can change.
Check rates & availability!
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Who is PHA NYA RESIDENCE best for?
PHA NYA RESIDENCE is not a budget guesthouse .
The rates are on the higher side for Luang Prabang, so it’s better suited to:
couples on a honeymoon or anniversary trip
travelers who value design, comfort, and quiet over getting the absolute lowest price
families who want a small, personal property with family-friendly room layouts
Because it’s so central and still very calm, it works especially well if you want to stay near the Night Market and main sights but don’t want to be right on the busy main street itself.
It’s not flashy, over-the-top luxury with marble everywhere; it’s the quiet kind of luxury, where you sit on the balcony, then wander the one-minute walk down to the Mekong and feel like the river is yours for a while.
ADVICE ADDED
If you’re traveling on a very tight budget, you might actually be happier in a simpler guesthouse this time and keep PHA NYA RESIDENCE in mind for a future “special occasion” trip.
How close is it to the Mekong River?
PHA NYA RESIDENCE isn’t directly on the riverfront, but in practical terms the Mekong is extremely close.
The hotel itself sits one street back from the river.
It’s about a one-minute walk to reach the riverbank.
That short distance makes it very easy to go down and watch the sunset over the Mekong before dinner.
When I stayed, walking out to the river in the late afternoon became part of my daily routine—and it was nice to be able to be “home” again in just a minute or two once it got dark.
＼Want to see Luang Prabang from the water? Compare Mekong River cruise routes, times, and prices here before you decide.／
Room types at PHA NYA RESIDENCE (10 rooms, 4 layouts)
https://phanyaresidence.com/ This is a small 10-room hotel , which is part of why it feels so personal and full of the owner’s personality.
There are four room types, including one that works well for families.
Here is a quick overview of each type.
Standard Patio Room (most affordable, very quiet)
Number of rooms 3 roomsBed type 2 single beds (Twin) Size 26 m² Occupancy up to 2 people
These rooms are set around the inner courtyard and are the most affordable option in the hotel.
They are also the only rooms that don’t face the street at all, and there are no guest rooms above them—so they are naturally quieter than the other categories.
The beds come with canopies made by local Lao craftspeople; each one is a one-of-a-kind piece.
The only drawback is that there are no windows , as the rooms are in a “row house” style.
However, the ceilings are high, so they don’t feel as cramped as “no window” might sound.
Deluxe Temple Room (street-side, some with views)
https://phanyaresidence.com/ Number of rooms 4 roomsBed type 1 king bed or 2 single beds Size 26 m² Occupancy up to 2 people
These rooms are in the building that faces the street, either on the ground floor or the second floor.
Ground-floor rooms have a terrace, which makes them a bit more desirable if you like some outdoor space.
Second-floor rooms have windows with views toward Phousi Hill, so at night you can see the softly lit stupa in the distance.
The beds also feature locally made canopies, and the twin beds are again the larger Twin XL size.
If you want a balance of design, comfort and price, this category often hits the sweet spot.
Superior Family Temple Room (for up to 4 people)
https://phanyaresidence.com/ Number of rooms 2 roomsBed type 1 king bed + 2 single beds Size 55 m² Occupancy up to 4 people
The Superior Family Temple Rooms are designed for families.
Alongside the main king bed, there are two single beds set on a mezzanine level that feels a little like a loft.
It’s the kind of layout kids tend to love, as it gives them their “own” little space.
There are also two sinks , so everyone can get ready more smoothly in the mornings.
Both of these family rooms are on the second floor.
Superior Temple Room (the one I stayed in)
Number of rooms 1 room Bed type 1 king bed Size 43 m² Occupancy up to 2 people
This is the only room of its kind, located in the street-facing building on the ground floor.
I stayed in this room, and it’s a good match if you want a treat-yourself stay as a couple and don’t mind paying more for extra space.
Check rates & availability!
Inside the Superior Temple Room: design, space, and layout
Space & design – “Did I really arrive in Laos?”
The first impression when you walk into the Superior Temple Room is the size and height of the space.
There’s a large window that opens to the terrace, plenty of natural light, stylish lighting, and furniture that feels both chic and subtly rooted in Lao tradition.
For me, the impact was strong enough that I honestly forgot I was in Laos for a moment when I first walked in—it felt more like stepping into a private guest room in a small palace.
The floor tiles are a geometric pattern in two colors, and the color palette doesn’t feel “typically Lao” in the usual tourist-hotel way.
Instead, it feels like a thoughtful, modern take on a heritage building.
Bathroom layout – two sinks, separate shower and toilet
Even though the room is only for two people, there are two sinks in the bathroom area, which makes it very easy for two people to get ready at the same time in the morning.
The shower and toilet are placed on opposite sides of the sinks, so you can use the toilet while your partner is showering without feeling awkward .
Water pressure is strong, and overall the wet areas feel reliable and solid.
Many hotels in Southeast Asia separate the shower and toilet areas with just one glass partition.
That looks stylish in photos, but in real life it often turns out to be impractical, especially if one of you ends up with an upset stomach.
PHA NYA RESIDENCE does use that “single glass panel” style in some of its other room types, but the layout in the Superior Temple Room is more practical.
ADVICE ADDED
If bathroom privacy is very important to you, it’s worth confirming the exact bathroom layout for your specific room type before you finalise your booking.
Amenities: what the hotel provides (and what you should bring)
Compared with many hotels in Laos, the amenity selection here is quite good.
What’s provided in the bathroom and room:
Shampoo and shower gel (body wash)
Cotton pads and cotton buds
Multiple bottles of drinking water, placed throughout the room
A welcome drink on arrival
Cotton and cotton buds in particular are still relatively rare in many Lao hotels, so having them ready in the room felt like a small but thoughtful detail.
I also really liked that bottled water was placed in several spots , including near the sink—very practical in a hot climate.
However, there is no hair conditioner , so if you usually use conditioner or treatment, it’s best to bring your preferred product from home.
Most importantly:
There are no disposable toothbrushes provided.
This is intentional, as more Luang Prabang hotels are choosing not to offer plastic disposable toothbrushes for environmental reasons—and PHA NYA RESIDENCE is part of that trend.
So a travel toothbrush and toothpaste are essential items to pack for this hotel.
ADVICE ADDED
If you tend to forget your toothbrush when you travel, it might help to keep a dedicated “Laos toiletry pouch” ready so you can just throw it into your suitcase without thinking.
Tea, coffee, and those very stylish cups
In many hotels, the in-room coffee somehow tastes better than you expect.
At PHA NYA RESIDENCE, the in-room setup is actually for tea, not coffee .
The cups themselves are particularly stylish, and you can feel the same design care in the drinkware as in the rest of the room.
During my stay, taking a short tea break in the room felt like a small, pleasant ritual between outings.
One small detail:
There were four sugar sticks provided.
There was no creamer or milk .
If you absolutely need milk in your tea, you’ll want to buy some from a nearby shop or café.
Bed comfort: especially good for tall travelers
Reviews on travel sites often highlight the quality of the beds , and my experience matched that.
The bed is larger than a standard size; the length is about 213 cm , which makes a real difference for tall guests.
The mattress is neither too hard nor too soft—right in a comfortable middle range.
Of course, mattress preference is personal, so it’s best not to arrive with unrealistic expectations.
But speaking honestly, this was one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in , and it was the first time I found myself thinking, “I want to come back just to sleep in this bed again.”
Sofas and balcony: nice to have, with a few caveats
Inside the Superior Temple Room, there are two separate sofa setups :
two single armchairs
one larger sofa bed big enough to stretch out on
The sofa bed mattress is on the firmer side.
If for some reason the main bed doesn’t suit you, you could sleep on the sofa bed instead, although it feels like a slightly wasteful use of such a nice room.
The ground-floor rooms, including the Superior Temple Room, also come with a small balcony/terrace .
Smoking is allowed on the balcony.
There is one table and two chairs.
There is no dividing wall between balconies, so there’s not much sense of privacy.
There is no roof , which means the balcony becomes unusable when it rains.
Right in front of the balcony is the quiet temple Wat Xiengmouane.
On sunny days, the green of the temple grounds looks beautiful, and because very few tourists visit this temple, it stays peaceful both day and night.
You’re very unlikely to have your sleep disturbed by noise from outside.
If you walk through the temple grounds, you’ll come out near the popular café Formula B.
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Shared open terrace and meeting the owner
One of the social spaces in the hotel is the open terrace , which works as:
a breakfast area
a casual spot to relax
a place to chat with other guests
The owner often spends time either on this terrace or at the front desk.
He knows Luang Prabang extremely well, so if you have questions or small worries about your trip, it’s worth asking—he’s a great source of local information.
When I booked via Agoda, this was the only hotel in Luang Prabang where the owner reached out to me first with a message.
For me, that first contact and the way he treated each guest left a strong impression of genuinely thoughtful hospitality .
Check rates & availability!
House rules and things to know before you book
Before you commit to staying here, there are three practical points to keep in mind.
1. Breakfast is not included
As mentioned earlier, breakfast is not part of the base room rate .
You can add it for an extra charge (currently US$8), or you can simply enjoy breakfast in nearby cafés and morning stalls.
ADVICE ADDED
If you like slow mornings, it can be nice to eat at the hotel on your first day and then try different local spots on the following mornings.
Tabilus – Go Travel, Go Missing
2. No toothbrushes are provided
PHA NYA RESIDENCE does not provide disposable toothbrushes.
This is part of a broader move among environmentally-minded hotels in Luang Prabang to reduce plastic waste.
Bring your own travel toothbrush and toothpaste; don’t rely on the hotel to supply them.
3. Shoes off indoors (no outdoor shoes in the room)
PHA NYA RESIDENCE Shoe Closet In line with Lao tradition, you don’t wear outdoor shoes inside the room .
Except for the Standard Patio Rooms, there is a shoe closet in the room where you can store your shoes.
Otherwise, keep them neatly inside the room and switch into indoor use only once you’re past the threshold.
This “no shoes inside” rule is common in Lao homes and gives the rooms a more homely, respectful atmosphere.
Guest ratings and value for money
For many travelers, guest ratings make or break the decision to book a hotel.
PHA NYA RESIDENCE scores very highly on major booking sites:
Booking.com and Agoda: around 9.7 out of 10
Trip.com: around 4.8 out of 5
Expedia: close to 10 out of 10
These are near-top scores , which matches the overall feel of the hotel: small scale, strong design, friendly owner, and a very central yet quiet location.
At the same time, the room rates are not low .
You do need to keep an eye on your budget.
However, if you’re planning a “once-in-a-while” kind of Luang Prabang trip —a honeymoon, a big anniversary, or a special holiday—this is exactly the kind of hotel that can make the trip feel memorable.
Check rates & availability!
Three reasons I personally recommend PHA NYA RESIDENCE
To sum up, here are the three things that stood out most to me:
Central but genuinely quiet Everything you need is within walking distance A kind, present owner
If this is the kind of stay you’re looking for—a small, stylish, very central hotel with a calm atmosphere and a hands-on owner —PHA NYA RESIDENCE is likely to make you happy.
If you mainly want the lowest possible price and don’t mind a bit of noise or a more basic room, a simpler guesthouse might suit you better.
Tabilus – Go Travel, Go Missing
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