Bellerive Boutique Hotel
Luang Prabang, Laos
The Bellerive Boutique Hotel is a fresh addition to the growing number of hotels that can be found in Luang Prabang. It offers something hard to find in Luang Prabang, riverfront luxury accommodation a minutes' walk from restaurants, shops and the night market. Bellerive infuses Lao and Colonial designs simply throughout the 8 rooms available. All rooms are spacious with modern amenities (except TV), large colonial windows and most importantly, pristine views of the Mekong river.
The hotel comprises of two buildings offering two types of rooms, the Frangipani and Tamarind. The Frangipani offers a New York style loft with a pleasant seating area and balcony on first level with a staircase leading to lofted bed (JW favorite). The Tamarind has bigger rooms but has no balcony or lofted bed. If the view from your room isn't enough you may cross over to their garden terrace on the Mekong bank and enjoy a sunset cocktail.
Located in center of the peninsula allows easy access to heart of the city but surprisingly doesn't accompany all the city noise.
In almost all of the rooms the glass shower is not enclosed. So, you better be comfortable taking an exposed shower to your roommate!
Request the Deluxe Frangipani room. It is located on the corner of the building with a 180 degree view from the wrap around balcony.
At the date of this review, the hotel is only 6 months old. They support the local Wat by buying a meal for the monks and novices daily, regardless if they have quests or not. Supporting the local temple is important and noble for such a small hotel and hopefully with time they will be able to extend their community involvement even further.
Reviewed by: Nicole Long
April 19, 2010