Hotels 14 Jul 2026 read
This expansive resort property in Luang Prabang in Laos is the perfect blend of luxury and sustainability where tuning out won’t seem hard at all
What once used to be a hangout spot for a French colonial diplomat and his friends has now turned into a 23-room luxurious resort that stands as a symbol of amalgamation of the past and present, luxury and nature and sustainability. The Rosewood located in the town of Luang Prabang in Laos used to be the estate of Auguste Pavie, a French colonial civil servant and diplomat before it was restored into an expansive resort under strict UNESCO guidelines.
In a country where the Mekong River traverses rather quietly, Rosewood too sits as a silent ode to luxurious sustainability. Designed by the world’s favourite landscape architect Bill Bensley and his team, the property is a masterclass in his signature biophilic style, using sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques and internal systems for water and cooling, large, breezy spaces, intricate wood work and a seamless blend of plants and greenery indoors.
Besides conservation, designer Bill Bensley also weaves local culture and design styles into his work. The external architecture of Rosewood draws inspiration from Luang Prabang, incorporating a mix of French colonial, Buddhist and modern with influences from South Asian regions like Thailand in the external structures. Across the property you can spot steeply pitched roofs, wooden structures, high ceilings, open porches and intricate carvings. All the accommodations, from the waterfall pool villas to the hilltop pool tents use traditional materials like teak wood, bamboo, and rattan, all also naturally occurring, championing ecological conservation and traditional craft.
“Luang Prabang is my favourite village in SE Asia, because of UNESCO. Here we encapsulate the history of the earliest Naturalists in Laos and Cambodia, with the heroes being the 1867 Mekong expedition where seven French soldiers walked for almost 2 years up the Mekong barefoot. I blame the French government of 1885, once again for not understanding the toll mother nature can have on one's shoes!” shares Bensley.
The interiors, painted in earthy tones and juxtaposed with vibrant accents are an ode to the ancient temples and Laotian culture. You will find handcrafted textiles, upcycled antiques, ceramics and local artwork, all of which add depth and character to the space while also supporting the local economy and traditional crafts. But that’s not the only thing the resort pays homage to. Bensley uniquely designed all the 23 rooms to reflect the personalities of Pavie’s guests like the naturalist Henri Mouhot, croquet players Brohy and Ounier, and the six French explorers who led the first Mekong Expedition.
The common spaces like the dining and bar areas feature elements of French colonial style design characterised by the steep roofs, high ceilings, symmetrical design and open porches. Rosewood Luang Prabang is a testament to sustainable luxury that celebrates its past while holding its present and future close.
The property maintains a delicate balance between the past and present design styles while prioritising conservation. To minimise the resort’s environmental footprint, Bensley and his team employed eco-friendly construction techniques, used reclaimed wood and sourced materials locally.
They have also used natural cooling techniques like open-air layouts and high ceilings which allow for plenty natural ventilation and thereby keep the spaces cool and comfortable. Additionally, water conservation and efficient waste management systems have been integrated into the resort’s day to say operations.
At Rosewood, you get to swap the cacophony of work notifications and grocery list reminders with the sounds of the flowing river and birdsong of the Sooty-headed Bulbul or the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, tethering a sensory connection to your surroundings.
