hotel highlight: My Dream Boutique Resort in Luang Prabang, Laos
I was surprised for my birthday with my inaugural night back in Laos spent at My Dream Boutique Resort. The little jungle getaway lies away from the tourist side of town and right on the river, making it feel like a hidden oasis.
The driver that picked us up from the airport asked if it was our first time in Luang Prabang and we both kind of laughed to one another. No, it definitely was not. We explained that we had both volunteered, lived, and worked in the community. Upon learning that Luke formerly worked at the free Children's hospital and that it was my birthday, the man insisted that our accommodation be upgraded. And that's what lead to me having a Mowgli-style birthday. Tavener surprising me with a fancy hotel stay that got fancier thanks to that good ol' Lao hospitality.
GET {bunga}LOW BABY
Our bags were brought to our room and we were greeted with cold water and freshly cut mango- a truly Lao welcome. It felt so luxurious and yet there were so many Lao touches that made our bungalow feel cosy and familiar: the indigo pillows and bamboo furnishings, the sound of a ceiling fan swirling above a mosquito net. Our bungalow's bathroom was equipped with a rain shower head {with good water pressure}, shampoo and shower gel {in reusable/refillable bottles}, a hair dryer, soap produced by Northern hill tribes. We also had air-conditioning as an option, which would have been fully used if we were staying in the summer {sorry Mother Nature, but it gets really freaking hot here}.
FRONT ROW{ing} VIEWS
My birthday times perfectly every year with the Dragon Boat Festival, meaning all the boat teams are busy practicing by rowing down the Nam Khan. This year I was lucky enough to take in the familiar view of long boats from our beautiful bungalow's balcony. My Dream Resort overlooks the Nam Khan in all its glory.
FEAST YOUR EYES
My Dream's breakfast buffet awaited a very eager 7 AM version of me. I downed the delicious coffee while Luke enjoyed his omelette, both made to order. I made a feast for myself out of the croissants, breads, cereals, fresh seasonal fruit, oats, yogurt, and traditional Lao menu items {sticky rice, broth, and steamed vegetables} while overlooking the pool. As an added bonus, for no extra cost, you can have your breakfast delivered to you in your bungalow.
SPLISH SPLASH
There are very few hotels with pools in Luang Prabang but My Dream is, of course, one of them. Simple in its design, the pool offers the perfect place to escape the Lao heat. I swam until I absolutely had to hop out for dinner with friends. My fingers were fully pruned and the next morning I went in again for more mermaid fun.
You are able to press a call button and order drinks by the pool if you wish. The prices are, surprisingly, not exponentially marked up!
EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT
The many extra perks of staying at My Dream Resort don't stop with the pool, river views, and complimentary breakfast. Water, fresh fruit, tea, and coffee are all provided in your room free of charge for you to enjoy. You can purchase fancy wines and soda from the mini bar at an extra charge, though nothing I saw on the menu was outrageously expensive. Room service or a romantic candlelit dinner on the river-- whatever you'd like, the staff at My Dream can make it happen if you simply ask! There are free bikes that you can borrow from the resort are a great way to explore all of Luang Prabang.
LOOKING OUT FOR EARTH
It's always nice to stay somewhere that does its part for the environment and its local community. My Dream offers massages for a very reasonable price right near the river in little cabanas, and the profit of each massage goes towards funding the education of the massage therapist's child. On top of that, My Dream is currently working to help build a school in rural Laos, North of Luang Prabang. While My Dream is not yet an entirely plastic free establishment, they make massive strides towards eco-minded hospitality, including reusable shampoo and soap containers and encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens.
BOOKING YOUR STAY
My Dream Boutique was a little hideaway haven. If you like nature, a touch of luxury, and Lao hospitality, I highly recommend you spend your sleeps at My Dream. You can book your stay at My Dream Boutique Resort with Booking.com, here. I’ve found incredible deals on Agoda, including stays at 5-star resorts for USD$ 30…no, I’m not kidding!
