EXO PICKS: The 3 Nagas, Luang Prabang, Laos

The 3 Nagas

The 3 Nagas is situated in the heart of Luang Prabang's historical peninsula and offers 5 superior rooms and 2 executive suites in an atmosphere of comfort and beauty. The buildings, inspired by Lao tradition and character, were restored with exotic wooden floors and clay tiles, as well as modern amenities, such as air conditioning, Internet access, king-sized beds, private balconies and spacious living rooms. Please contact laos@exotissimo.com for more information.

The 3 Nagas has opened its new 3 Nagas Restaurant just across the street from the hotel, serving westernised Lao food in lavish surroundings. The restaurant is air-conditioned and can seat up to 32 diners. The 3 Nagas is also renovating the historical building just next to the restaurant and eight new rooms will be ready at the beginning of 2005.

Updated Vientiane Airport schedule

The Vientiane International Airport will be upgrading its runway until 11^th November and will be closed between the hours of 18:00 and 08:00. As a result, Laos Airlines flights between Vientiane and Bangkok and Vientiane and Luang Prabang have been rescheduled to leave before construction begins that day. All other flights remain unchanged.

More rooms for Laos

Interhotel

The Interhotel in Vientiane is expanding and will have 30 rooms by October, up from the current 12 rooms. It will feature more of the rare Mekong view rooms.

The Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane is currently renovating its executive floor and 12 of its suites in preparation for the ASEAN Summit from 24^th to 30^th November. The hotel is also building a new conference room, to be completed in November, to supplement the grand ballroom.

The Pakbeng Lodge in Pakbeng soft-opened on 1^st July. It will present an alternative to the simpler Villa Salika and will include dinner at the hotel. 20 rooms were available in the first phase of the project and the hotel was fully operational beginning 4^th September, when it opens an additional 18 rooms (including two suites).

In Oudomxay, 26 rooms are now available at the Phouxay Hotel. The hotel, located a short distance from the town’s centre, also offers a small restaurant.

Plain of Jars

The Vansana Plain of Jars has just opened in Xieng Khouang with 36 executive suites and standard and double standard guest rooms.

The 22 deluxe and junior suites at the Vayakorn Guesthouse in Vientiane come equipped with satellite television, mini-bars and air conditioning. The new guesthouse also features a café that offers breakfast.

Villa Muang Khong on Khong Island has completed the construction of six new rooms, bringing the total to 32 rooms.