“This was our second trip to Laos and we decided to go further afield to the northern part of the country to trek and explore the region. The Muang La resort was a very welcome refuge in an area that has really not seen considerable investment in tourism infrastructure. The resort is all inclusive and does a very good job looking after its guests. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and offer up nice views of the river and mountains. Our three days of trekking were organized by the hotel. Each day was a discovery, and while strenuous, our hiking took us up mountains to remote villages inhabited by Khmu and Hmong. We also visited jungle waterfalls, local markets, temples and rice fields. Our guide was terrific and he gave us access to places I’m sure we would not have been able to discover. After a challenging day of hiking, it was great to get back to the hotel, soak in one of the hot tubs fed by a natural spring, have a swim in the pool, accessed by a bridge suspended across the river, and play with the adorable baby monkey adopted by the hotel staff. The food at the hotel was very good – with diverse choices available, including both Laotian and foreign food. The hotel provided us with packed lunches for our treks, typically a rice or noodle preparation wrapped in banana leaf, accompanied by local fruits. There are nice walks to do right from the hotel — crossing the river in the nearby town and wandering into the local villages on the opposite bank is interesting, and the return to the hotel side can be done on a river raft built from bamboo by one of the local farmers.
The hotel plays an important role in the local community, providing employment and management and language training to the local population. All staff, apart from the hotel director, are Laotian.
I’d highly recommend this property for a visit to this part of Laos. It’s well worth the 5 to 6 hour drive from Luang Prabang, through breathtaking scenery, especially on the stretch from Pak Ou. Heading back to Luang Prabang, we took a river boat for part of the journey, again arranged by the hotel. Pack good walking shoes, an adventurous spirit, and a curious mind and you will love the Muang La resort and all it has to offer.”