ISPA Conference & Expo
ISPA Conference & Expo
ISPA Conference & Expo

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.

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
CLD,SAB,CPW,SWC,HHR,HOT,ARC,DES,OPW,ECO
The resort will be designed to encourage guests to unwind and 'become as one with the serene natural surroundings' / Rosewood
More news
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7782     
 
 
 
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7782     
 
 
 
company profile
Company profile: Curry Spa Consulting
Curry Spa Consulting has been providing clients in the high-end and luxury hospitality sector with spa design, programming, guidance and oversight since 2011.
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
features
The new town square features a 
circular town hall designed by 
Danish architect Henning Larsen. 
The historic clock tower will be moved from its existing location and rebuilt
Viktoria Walldin
"how often do you get to move a whole town?"

White Arkitekter’s Monica von Schmalensee on how culture and leisure are central to plans to move the Swedish town of Kiruna to stop it being swallowed by its mine

The community has become a model for the built environment’s role in a healthy lifestyle
"Residents share stories with me of how Serenbe has changed their lives for the better and they are healthier and happier - Steve Nygren"

The original wellness community at Serenbe is expanding, with a new hamlet dedicated to health. Jane Kitchen paid a visit

Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
The two firms collaborated on the design of the Dubai World Expo 2020 bid master plan
Bill HellmuthCEO, HOK Sport + Recreation +, Entertainment
"It’s a great time to be back in sports – it’s a piece of our practice we’ve sorely missed"

HOK re-enters the sports market

You can take immediate steps to improve your home and your happiness by connecting with nature and getting organised
Ben Channon
"I hope architects gain a genuine understanding of how buildings and spaces affect our mental wellbeing and how their design can be tailored towards making people happier and healthier"

Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home

features
West announced the donation to the Roden Crater after a recent visit
"We will all live in Turrell spaces one day"

Musician Kanye West to help fund the still unfinished Roden Crater, designed by American artist James Turrell

The development was designed to promote walkability and discourage unnecessary car use
Steve and Marie Nygren
"The vision was to create a community that feels as though it’s always been there"

Eco community Serenbe was launched in the heart of the Giorgia countryside to provide an alternative to the traditional American suburb. As work starts on a new wellness hamlet, we speak to the founders

Tom Emerson collaborated with students from ETH Zurich to build the Pavilion of Reflections
"You could have cultural events and museums that go from city to city. It’s a new way of thinking"

Rising sea levels and a shortage of land are leading to increased interest in floating buildings. We take a look at some fascinating projects

cladkit product news
Jaffe Holden helps bring Academy Museum of Motion Pictures alive
Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics for the Academy Museum
Magali Robathan
Acoustical consulting firm Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics and audio/video design services for the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion ...
Alberto Apostoli and Newform collaborate to launch the A.Zeta showerhead
The showerhead offers two modes; rainfall or waterfall
Megan Whitby
Italian architect Alberto Apostoli has renewed his partnership with Newform – an Italian wellness company – and designed A.Zeta. A.Zeta ...
Siminetti unveils iridescent decorative panelling range inspired by plants
The Clematis design
Megan Whitby
The Botanicals is Siminetti’s newest Mother of Pearl decorative panelling collection, inspired by the distinctive patterns found in botany and ...
cladkit product news
Eden project uses drones to spell out climate change warning
Magali Robathan
Almost 300 drones were used to signal an environmental message above the Eden Project’s biomes, during the UN Climate Change ...
Koto Design introduces wood-fired hot tub
Koto is known for crafting modular, energy-neutral cabins and homes
Katie Barnes
A striking wood-fired hot tub has been unveiled by Koto, an architecture and design studio which has a passion for ...
Mather & Co and ITV unite to create Coronation Street Experience
Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers
Magali Robathan
Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a ...
cladkit product news
Codelocks develops new glass door smart lock
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Megan Whitby
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and ...
Alberto Apostoli designs tech-forward Wellness Therapy furniture collection for Varaschin
The furniture collection draws on absolute geometries, pure lines, neutral colours and strong references to nature
Megan Whitby
Furniture manufacturer Varaschin has unveiled the new Wellness Therapy range, designed by Italian spa and wellness architect and designer Alberto ...
Eco Resort Network conference to convene in Mauritius this May
The event will be hosted in the Mauritius in 2024
Megan Whitby
Hospitality industry event Eco Resort Network is set to take place at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Turtle Bay, Mauritius, from ...
x
Sign up with CLAD for regular news updates
ISPA Conference & Expo
ISPA Conference & Expo