Bill Bensley designs luxury tents and villas for forest retreat in Laos
by Jane Kitchen | 02 Dec 2015
Rosewood is opening a luxury tent and villa encampment hidden in the jungles of Laos.
Located near the city of Luang Prabang and built according to UNESCO guidelines by Bangkok-based American architect Bill Bensley, the resort will be immersed in a virtually untouched natural environment.
Set in thick forest amid natural water features, including a meandering river and waterfall, each of the resort’s 22 accommodations will be bordered by a stream or riverbank.
The resort will be designed to encourage guests to unwind and “become as one with the serene natural surroundings,” the company said, with features such as open-air showers, tubs and living rooms.
Scheduled to open in 2017, the resort will include eight deluxe villas, three garden villas, six private pool villas and five luxury tents.
Each accommodation will be unique, but will showcase elements inspired by Lao tradition and French colonial style, from design and architecture to use of indigenous materials and accents of locally-inspired artwork. The 100sq m (1,076sq ft) luxury tents – a first for Rosewood – will each feature their own private dining areas and wrap-around decks.
An arrival manor – the first indication of the forest retreat to visitors entering the area – will house a bar and bistro serving French and Laotian cuisine and the brand’s three-treatment-rooms and spa. The resort will also be the site of a philanthropic hospitality school, and will provide the local community with professional hospitality training.
“At Rosewood Luang Prabang, we wish to create an authentic and exquisite journey for every guest that connects them to nature and creates unforgettable memories of the rich local landscape and culture,” said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.
“It will also mark two milestones for our company – the launch of a community philanthropic school, as well as the introduction of Rosewood luxury tent accommodations.”
Rosewood is also opening the Rosewood Siem Reap in Cambodia in 2019 in conjunction with Cambodia-based property developer Vattanac Properties. The resort will be located within 6km (3.7m) of the fabled Angkor Wat temple – the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Modern Khmer architecture and abundant indigenous materials will be featured in the resort’s 135 guestrooms and 15 villas, all with individual pools and landscaped terraces.
The resort will feature Rosewood’s signature Sense spa, though further spa details are not yet available.
Another Rosewood in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh is due to open in 2016 and will also be owned by Vattanac Properties.
Each accommodation will be unique, but will showcase elements inspired by Lao tradition and French colonial style Credit: Rosewood
Rosewood is opening a luxury tent and villa encampment hidden in the jungles of Laos. Located near the city of Luang Prabang and built according to UNESCO guidelines by Bangkok-based American architect Bill Bensley, the resort will be immersed in a virtually untouched natural environment. Set in thick forest amid natural water features, including a meandering river and waterfall, each of the resort’s 22 accommodations will be bordered by a
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
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