Chateau Orientale Resort

We ended up heading back to Luang Prabang early, even though we'd paid for another night. We felt welcome there and had a lovely meal, which says a lot about how this stay went. On arrival at Chateau Orientale, the gardens and buildings looked beautiful, but we didn't get the warm greeting or welcome drink we'd come to expect at other hotels. We booked the $59 elephant experience with lunch for the next day. The guide was cheerful and informative, and spending time with the two elephants was wonderful. Two other tourists who arrived on motorbikes told us they'd paid $15 for the same experience without lunch. Dinner was served from 6 to 8, and the food was just OK, not as good as many meals we'd had in Laos. At 8, the lights went off and the chef and waiter left, so there was no more service. We skipped breakfast, which cost an extra $6. Lunch was much like dinner, with no dessert and only water included. I asked for coffee and was told it cost extra. The manager said we'd already had coffee during the elephant talk, but that had been cheap instant coffee with powdered milk. When I said it felt like a lot of money without coffee included, she offered to make one, but I declined. We didn't want another meal at the restaurant, despite the attractive setting, because the food felt ordinary and we didn't feel welcome. We walked about 20 minutes to the nearby elephant village to see if we could look at the menu and have a drink. The woman at the entrance seemed unhappy and checked with a colleague, who called the manager. We learned the village was part of the same company, and decided against eating there. There was also a $10 entrance fee, though we only wanted to check the restaurant. My wife suggested going back to Luang Prabang. On our way back into the resort, we noticed a sign saying guests couldn't bring in outside food or drink. We checked out without anyone asking why, and they just made sure the bill was paid. The only transport they offered was their taxi, so we booked one to the train station, then another to Luang Prabang, which was much cheaper than their option.

A lovely place to spend a couple of days unwinding. It sits by the river, surrounded by nature, and the views from the rooms, pool, restaurant and decks are all beautiful. The furniture and decor are gorgeous too, with little details everywhere.

Tucked away somewhere peaceful, with lovely views and good food. There's a pool, a barbecue area and cocktails, plus the sound of the river and wild birds. A great detour if you want to hang out and chill for a few days.

I felt completely mugged off. The half-day e-mountain-bike trip cost $75, lunch was OK, and the whole thing was a waste of time and money. I hate leaving bad reviews, but people should know they’re rolling the dice with this company. For a tenth of the price, I should’ve just hired a mountain bike. I’m fit, lift weights, play badminton in a league and have played semi-professional football, but the bike couldn't handle the steep hills. I asked another guest to try it because I was struggling. He said it had no oomph or power on the climbs, and he had to push it too, though he hadn't needed to push his own bike at any point. The others were riding through the hills without pain, and they were older than me. The guide tested the bike and said it was fine. The climbs were exhausting, and we didn't get to stop for photos or to admire the scenery. It felt like an endurance test. After the ride, we were taken on a hike to some caves, but I couldn't manage it after the effort of getting there. The guide didn't check on me and let me go back down alone. A van with three men was there, though I didn't know at the time they were going to take my bike to the next village. As a solo traveller, my first concern was safety. I was left waiting in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal and these three young men nearby. Another woman in the group noticed bedding in the back of the van. It felt unacceptable. Then I was dropped off alone in some village to wait for everyone else. I gave them a chance to make it right, but their answer was that the guide said the bike was fine, so apparently that settled it. Breathtaking. The response also felt judgmental, saying I had "difficulties completing the course," as if I were a 39-stone unit. There were no managers or decision-makers on site.