The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

Natural haven
Laos
Everything we do is custom made by real Asia experts...

Sheltered by gently-sloping hillsides, with the Mekong flowing sedately alongside it, the Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge is a refreshing, welcoming retreat.

It offers luxury with a different profile; one without ornate interiors and lavish facilities, but with time and space to soak up north western Laos’ remote and unspoilt landscape at your leisure. The accommodation is bright and airy, with private balconies and sweeping valley vistas – the deluxe suites are the ones to go for as they really take things up a notch.

Connecting with nature is key. Walking routes meander in many directions through the surrounding forest, and the nearby Mekong Elephant Park offers a glimpse of high-quality conservation in action. The hotel has a dual focus on responsible tourism and strong community links, which includes offering staff land to grow their own fruit and vegetables, as well as funding an onsite health centre. There’s a true sense of purpose to these initiatives, not just sustainability lip service; the whole hotel has a gentle balance of comfort, quality and connection.

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With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Location & Highlights

This peaceful hotel is surrounded by the wild countryside of north western Laos, between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai on the Thailand border. Both towns take several hours to reach by road or boat.
  • Forest walks
  • Outdoor pool & terrace.
  • Riverside views
  • Elephant sanctuary links
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Why we love it

“Upgrading to the deluxe room was definitely worth it for the extra character and excellent views.”

Location, location, location

Gardens and hillsides at Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

The dream of getting ‘off the beaten track’ may have lost a little meaning with overuse, but places like this truly live up to expectations. This location feels a world away from the relentless rush of modern cities. The easiest way to reach this remote part of northern Laos is by boat, sailing along the languid stretch of the mighty Mekong which passes through the valley. Many travellers discover this spot as a convenient stop-off point between cruises, and the tranquillity reflects the necessary change of pace – slower and more patient. It’s somewhere to completely rest and reset.

Gardens and hillsides at Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

Luxury with a difference…

Riverside terrace at Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

We all want different flavours of luxury at different times, and whilst there’s always a place for opulently-decorated ‘bells and whistles’, there’s also a niche for the alternative offered at the Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge. This luxury is about immersing yourself in a special – and often hard to reach – location, with facilities on hand to ensure you can enjoy it smoothly. The ambiance is centred around ensuring you fully relax and feel refreshed, allowing you to turn your attention to the extraordinary surroundings, and then scooping you up with delicious local food and a warm welcome upon your return.

Riverside terrace at Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

What can you do there?

Relax on sheltered private balconies or by the modest outdoor pool, take in the sweeping views over the river and forested hillsides, and enjoy delicious regional cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal produce grown organically on the hotel farm. Head out on walks and mini-treks over the hills, visit local villages and hidden waterfalls, and learn about the high-quality conservation in place at the Mekong Elephant Park. Return to the hotel for classes in traditional Laos cuisine and a game or two of petanque.

Balcony views at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Balcony views at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Pool at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Pool at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Al fresco dining at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Al fresco dining at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Superior room at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Superior room at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Deluxe room at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge, Laos
The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Riverside gardens at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Riverside gardens at The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

A great trip

We had an excellent holiday with an itinerary carefully arranged by Dave to suit our preferences. This is the third time we've travelled with Selective Asia and we will happily do so again in the future. We like the fact that they are a small company, passionate about what they do and committed to responsible travel.

Sarah Wilkie, Sri Lanka

Selective Asia is more than a booking agency...

When a museum sent its exhibits overseas on tour, they learned about this before our departure and steered another to another site. When a hotel that we had booked scheduled a noisy wedding for the period of our occupancy, they were able to identify a fantastic hotel without noise before our arrival. I am not sure that any other tour operator would provide such detail in follow up, even after the tour was booked and paid for.

David Kosh, Vietnam

Brilliant! Selective Asia covered every detail.

Travel, hotels, guides, and excursions all flawlessly executed. Selective Asia listened to our requirements and worked with us to refine a great holiday.

Tim Goodman, Thailand

Holiday of a lifetime

The planning of the holiday and the ongoing support was excellent. The organisation on the ground when we got there was perfect and the local guides were knowledgeable and very personable. We would definitely go with Selective Asia again.

Gillian Baker, Komodo & Borneo

Our trip was outstanding...

We had had several discussions with Andrew before booking the trip and he incorporated all the activities we were interested in, plus recommending other activities that he knew we would be interested in. The whole trip was seamless and managed at a thoroughly professional yet friendly level. I would travel with this company again.

Heather, Japan

Inspiring experiences and places to stay

Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…

Start planning your journey here...

With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Talk to our expert team...

Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.

The Selective Asia difference

  • Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
  • Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
  • Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
  • Responsible travel
  • 24 hour local support
  • Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity

No ordinary Travel Company

Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
Unfollow the herd.

Fully protected and flexible bookings

Selective Asia is a fully ATOL licensed and bonded tour operator, and our flexi-booking promise offers increased protection & peace of mind.,

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