Three years ago, after reading Haruki Murakami’s travel essay “What Do You Mean, Lao PDR?”, I developed a deep interest in Laos.
The cover image of that book is, in fact, Amantaka in Luang Prabang.
Then came three years of the pandemic, and international travel was put on hold.
Recently, I’ve been catching up on my travels. In just a month, I visited Thailand, Hong Kong, and this time, Laos.
Every departure feels like a rebirth, and every journey deeply reminds me of the beauty of being alive.
This trip, I only visited Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage City for both its natural and cultural significance.
This place is small and slow-paced, everything here is so gentle, kind, and devout…
I owe you a comprehensive guide to Luang Prabang, which I will write in a few days. Today, I want to share my experience of staying at Amantaka.
When I come across a hotel I truly love, I can’t wait to share it with everyone. This is one of those places that I had to write about immediately.
Amantaka is both worldly and otherworldly, filled with earthly vitality yet transcendently refined
Aman Resorts are known for their high standards in location selection, often choosing places with a sense of ultimate tranquility and harmony, which is why most Aman hotels are far from city centers.
Amantaka, however, is an exception. It has taken a unique approach by being located right in the heart of bustling Luang Prabang, just a street away from the city’s busiest area. Step outside, and you are amidst the lively hustle and bustle of the town.
Yet, the transition from the lively streets to the serene calmness is just a small threshold away.
Every morning, the almsgiving ceremony takes place right in front of Amantaka’s entrance. This has been a daily ritual for decades.
Vintage Yet Contemporary
The buildings that house Amantaka were constructed in the early 20th century during the French colonial period and once served as the Provincial Hospital of Luang Prabang.
In 2005, the hospital relocated to a new site, and the area was taken over by a resort. After thorough renovation, it became Amantaka.
Everything here remains as it was over a hundred years ago, as ten out of the fifteen buildings are protected by UNESCO and cannot undergo major alterations.
The primary hue of the buildings is white, paired with deep wood-colored roofs and complemented by greenish-blue doors and windows. This low-saturation combination is understated but imparts a sense of exceptional tranquility.
It feels very Aman, and also very Luang Prabang.
Each building has an additional veranda to block the strong light, a characteristic feature of South Asian colonial architecture.
The veranda is very cool; the cover of Haruki Murakami’s book was even photographed on one of these verandas.
When sunlight streams into the veranda, it feels incredibly comfortable.
The walls of Amantaka are adorned with numerous black-and-white photographs, mostly of local Laotian monks or Laotian landscapes. It’s both artistic and soothing to the soul.
Amantaka has a total of just 24 guest rooms, all villas. Starting from the second tier, they come with private pools.
The lush greens and brown wooden furniture redefine the vintage texture of the space, creating a full-bodied ambiance.
This is how Aman operates; dazzling changes are unfolding in people’s lives around the globe, yet Aman steadfastly upholds a simple way of living.
Rooms in any Aman property are never overly luxurious, making Aman’s ethos easy to distinguish from the multitude of other establishments.
As per tradition, let’s snap a selfie in the mirror.
There’s a kind of beauty that only reveals itself at night.
The night at Amantaka is enchanting, starkly different from the daytime. The soft lights scattered throughout the courtyard add a touch of vibrancy to the serene night.
Amantaka understands romance.
Why is Amantaka so expensive?
Aman has never been cheap, and Amantaka’s rates are generally over $1,000 per night.
After my stay, I reflected and realized there’s a reason for Aman’s high prices.
When checking into the hotel, the staff meticulously introduced every detail of the property to me. They then gave me a tour of the entire hotel, introducing each area one by one, taking about half an hour in total.
The staff-to-room ratio at Amantaka can be as high as 4:1, a truly impressive figure in the hospitality industry.
Additionally, most packages at Amantaka include daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and one full meal.
Dinner is recommended by the poolside, as the night view is truly atmospheric.
For breakfast and lunch, it is suggested to dine on the veranda. This veranda is connected to the outdoor garden, making it very comfortable.
The menu includes Laotian and French cuisine, which I found quite to my taste.
Afternoon tea is served daily in the library and is freely available to guests.
During formal meals, there will be performances of local music, and they play continuously even if you are the only table dining.
The hotel’s spa area also features a hot tub and a cold water pool, exclusively for guests.
Aman Taka offers many activities, and upon check-in, the hotel will provide you with a booklet that records each guest’s itinerary. You simply follow this schedule for your activities.
This is one of the advantages of staying at Aman; they have a deeper understanding of the locality.
Aman Taka has two of its own TUTUs, and most packages include a half-day tour with them. The staff will guide you through the essential sights of Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang is not large; a half-day is sufficient.
Aman Taka also has its own long boat, which can take you to see the sunset on the Mekong River.
This is undoubtedly a unique experience. Although many other boats also offer sunset views on the Mekong River, the Aman experience is undoubtedly the best because it is for your private enjoyment.
At sunset, the boatman will turn the boat sideways on the Mekong River, allowing you to recline in the deck chair and watch the sun sink into the water. Another staff member will prepare drinks and fruits for you.
Aman Taka also offers free bicycles. The old town of Luang Prabang is very small; touring by car can feel too hurried, and walking can be too tiring at times, so cycling is just right.
If you land at Luang Prabang Airport, Aman also offers a fast-track clearance and private airport transfers, providing not only VIP treatment but also saving time.
If you find Aman Taka too expensive, then perhaps go for an afternoon tea or a dinner.
Here is the menu; an afternoon tea or a meal costs around 200 per person, the prices in Luang Prabang are very friendly.
Finally, naturally, I have attached some photos of Aman Taka. It’s hard not to take many photos here.
We always have a deep nostalgia for past eras, and Aman Taka represents the kind of hotel I adore.
If related, make it a goal to stay at every Aman property worldwide.
Would you rather spend 4000 per night to stay in the Deep Pit Hotel, or 5000 per night to stay at Aman?
Snowy days are truly an unexpected delight, marking my second Aman experience in my life~
To be hidden in the wild is to be subtly hidden; to be hidden in the city is to be moderately hidden; to be hidden in Aman is to be greatly hidden.
This is probably the most expensive Siheyuan (courtyard house) in Beijing.
