Why You Should Stay at the Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang, Laos

I have just come back from visiting Luang Prabang in Laos and I can’t wait to return. And in no small part, that is because of my wonderful stay at the Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang.

If you are planning a trip to this charming city, I want to tell you why you should absolutely stay at the Maison Dalabua. I promise you, this boutique hotel is an oasis worth every penny.

A Quick Note: I just want to say upfront that this post is not sponsored. I truly loved my stay at this hotel and whenever I have a travel experience that is exceptional, I want to share my recommendations with you so you’re in the know!

Where is the Maison Dalabua Hotel?

The Maison Dalabua hotel is located in Luang Prabang, a 5-minute walk from the city’s center and night market. Situated on a small side street off the main road that leads into the heart of town, the resort is in a quiet area of the city, but close enough to get to the center either on foot or by borrowing one of the hotel’s free bicycles. (Walking and cycling are the main ways people get about town. You can also take a tuk-tuk but they upcharge for tourists.)

Related: Curious to know more about Luang Prabang? Check out my travel guide. 

The Design of Maison Dalabua

From the moment you set foot on the property, you notice the attention to detail with every aspect of the hotel. From the light and airy, inviting lobby, to the accommodations surrounding the lily ponds and swimming pool, the Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang feels like a luxury jungle oasis.

There is one word for the feeling you get here: serenity. They’ve done a fantastic job of including nature everywhere. Aside from the reflective lily ponds, the grounds are resplendent with spectacular greenery and flowers. Everywhere you look is a riot of color.

The Accommodations at Maison Dalabua

The rooms themselves are simple, designed with understated luxury. I had the opportunity to try out two different room categories, an overwater suite, and a grand deluxe room.

Why did I stay in two different rooms? Because the hotel was almost completely sold out for the dates I was visiting Luang Prabang. I thought I would have to stay at a different hotel, but I reached out to the hotel to double-check they were fully sold out. As it turned out, they were able to accommodate my travel dates if I was willing to stay in a suite for one night, and then switch to the grand deluxe room for the 2 remaining nights.

Pro travel tip: If you really want to stay somewhere and it says online that the hotel is fully booked, contact the hotel directly before giving up. Sometimes they get last-minute cancellations, or as in my case, they have different rooms available on different nights.

For the inconvenience of having to switch my room after the first night, they offered to give me the suite at the same rate as the grand deluxe room. Plus, because I booked directly through the hotel rather than a discount website, I got an additional 10% off. So the total for each night, including breakfast, was $140. (And wait until I tell you about breakfast!)

The hospitality I received from Maison Dalabua before I even stepped foot on the premises, is part of the reason I knew my stay here would be so special. I have stayed at many hotels and accommodations all over the world, and it is this kind of service and hospitality that makes a hotel stand out. It’s part of the reason I am writing this post.

The Overwater Suite

In a word, this suite was lovely. My only wish is that my husband was there with me to enjoy it! The bedroom was spacious, with a soaring ceiling. The dark wood furniture juxtaposed with the white walls and crisp white bed linens made for an inviting retreat.

And the bathroom….well let’s just say that I spent a good hour in that soaker tub! I also enjoyed the shower with the large rain shower head.

Best of all, the room has a private deck that looks right out on the lily pond.

The only downside to the suite I stayed in is that it was the closest one to the restaurant, so you do hear ambient noise during the day into the evening. However, by the time I went to sleep, around 10 pm, the noise had abated.

The Grand Deluxe Room

I actually preferred this room even more than the suite! Located up on the second floor, in a more secluded area of the property, I almost didn’t want to leave once I moved here.

The high, vaulted ceiling made the room feel even more spacious than it was and this room also comes with a private terrace. My view this time was of the beautiful greenery and a lily pond, with the well-known Manda de Laos restaurant in the distance.

Again, the thing I loved most about this room was the bathroom. The floor, walls, and vanity were all made of the same grey cement. Touches of wood added warmth to the room, and the shower also had a rain shower head feature.

Amenities at the Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang

The resort has the amenities you would expect from a boutique hotel of this caliber. Take out one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes for a spin through town. Or escape the afternoon heat with a dip in the pool, with such a tranquil and laid back setting, you’ll find it hard to leave.

You can also indulge in one of the Spa’s many services. I opted for a 90-minute massage and a manicure and pedicure. The massage was $55 and the mani / pedi was $25. These are certainly not cheap prices for Laos, (compared to the many spas in town hawking massages for $15), but at Maison Dalabua I knew I’d be getting quality service in a clean facility. These are things for which I’m always willing to pay a higher price.

The biggest and best highlight of all of Maison Dalabua’s amenities is the in-house restaurant, Manda de Laos. Perched above one of the hotel’s many lily ponds, dining here feels like your dining in a resplendent outdoor garden.

Pro Travel tip: Even if you are staying at the hotel, make a reservation to eat dinner at this restaurant in advance of checking in, because the restaurant is that popular!

I enjoyed lunch there one day, feasting on traditional Lao food. Since I’m vegetarian these days, I opted for the spring rolls plus a refreshing banana and passionfruit smoothie. Dinner was as delicious as lunch, with an impressive wine list.

The bonus of being a hotel guest at Maison Dalabua is that you also get to enjoy this beautiful restaurant for breakfast. I actually enjoyed my morning meals there even more than my dinner because you can better appreciate the lush, tropical gardens in the morning light. And the breakfast buffet, with a combination of Western and traditional Lao dishes, had me coming back for seconds and thirds.

What Do You Think of the Maison Dalaubua in Luang Prabang?

I hope you found this hotel review of the Maison Dalabua informative!

I don’t often write reviews of the hotels where I stay unless I find it to be a very special and unique experience. My stay at Maison Dalabua definitely fits in this category.

If you plan a trip to Luang Prabang in Laos, I hope you will consider splurging and staying at this hotel. It enhanced my overall impression of the city and the people of Laos.

One thing’s for sure. I will definitely stay at this hotel again soon. But next time, I’ll make sure my husband is with me to enjoy it!

Curious to know more about Laos? Check out my travel guide about 6 things you must do in Luang Prabang.