The Apsara

I want to extend my thanks to the wonderful staff at The Apsara hotel, we had a fantastic time in Luang Prabang. The hotel was great for us - ideal location opposite the river, great view to wake up to and we we able to sit out on our terrace in the evening. The room was spacious and the bed very comfortable - also very good pressure for the shower which was very welcome after the hotel we had just come from! Breakfast is simple but good quality - very good strong coffee, fresh fruit, bread and jams, and a choice of cooked options on the menu all included. All the staff were super friendly and helpful, very plesant to chat with. The location couldn't be better if you want to get up very early to witness the Alms-giving ceremony, the best spot was literally one minute's walk from our bed. (I really don't recomend you try to participate in this, much better just to stand across the road and watch.) We also really enjoyed eating at the big Night Food Court (at the end of the Night Market street, opposite the Royal Palace), had a great trip out to the Waterfalls, and a very memorable sunset cruise on the Mekong River (I really recomend you go with Khopfa River Criuse, we loved it and could see we had a much better experience than most of the other boats we saw out on the river). Also if you have time, take the local ferry across the river during the day (cost about 10 pence) for a walk in the village on the opposite side. In particular, I want to thank the manager Mr Lim for helping us sort out a really horrible issue we had with *******... two days before we were due to arrive, I logged into my booking and don't know what happened but was greeted with a message telling me I had just somehow "sucessfully cancelled my booking"! I contacted ******* straight away to say I hadn't cancelled but they told me I had, and that as it was within 48 hours of check-in I had also just lost all my money! After numerous chats and calls with *******, they we no help whatsoever. I contacted the Apsara to say I hadn't intended to cancel and still wanted to come - Mr Lim told me not to worry, he held the room for me. When we arrived at the hotel, and in fact even by the end of the stay, it became apparrent that ******* had kept my money but hadn't paid the hotel for my supposedly-cancelled stay either. I therefore had to pay again for my stay... but Mr Lim assured me he would keep trying to assist with me getting my money back. True to his word, a week after I had checked out and got back to the UK, he persisted with ******* and I've received an apology and a refund from them. I'm so grateful to Mr Lim for helping me with this as it really was pretty stressful at the time. He didn't need to help as it was my problem, but it was very very kind of him to do so, and goes to show the ethos of the hotel and it's staff. (I'll seriously consider booking directly with my hotels in future as the ******* problem has really rattled me!) Thanks again - definitely recomend The

The Apsara is absolutely charming on all fronts. The staff are delightful and the manager Christopher was incredibly helpful, offering great tips. The rooms are stunningly decorated with gorgeous artefacts and incredibly comfortable. Really very special. The breakfast was scrumptious and the cocktails delicious. The location is also great - close to the main areas of interest but quiet. The whole experience is very special and amazingly good value for the fabulous quality. We very much look forward to returning.

The breakfast is poor.