As each of our 4 children have completed primary school we have taken them to visit Asia. At Christmas 2005 with our youngest child we visited Thailand, Singapore (both countries we know well) and added in Laos. This turned out to be a delightful first. Thanks to a tripadvisor forum posted last October, I investigated Green Park Hotel, Vientiene; we'll be forever indebted to that member who'd found a new hotel that was about to open just aftey left Laos.
Several emails later, we'd booked (airport transfers, accommodation + breakfast) and were given the top of their suites for a very reasonable opening price. They were still outfitting some of the 36 rooms, and had about 28 operating when we arrived in early January 2006.
Green Park Hotel comprises a series of double storied buildings built around a central courtyard, with full-sized swimming pool (beautifully tiled! the Mother's choice and she has exquisite taste ! - being winter, we had only two quick dips, though did enjoy the spa!) and large reflection pool complete with modern fountain-style pots. Every bit of this complex is their own family ideas - not an interior designer in sight ! Accommodation is in the 4 buildings that flank a rectangular courtyard and built in deference to traditional Lao style but with a wonderfully modern international twist. The eastern end of the courtyard features the Reception/Dining/Bar building; the business centre and back-of-house lies to the south. Inspired architecture and interior styling come thanks to the international education of the three sons (Sourisak, Thephalak, Sakpaseth) who have all spent years studying in Europe and Melbourne - plus lots of glamour up-market magazines! The quality of construction is thanks to their father who while he continues to work in his own engineering company manages to find time to be "hands-on" with his workers and was seen to be planting trees with them during our time there - it is no wonder the staff are so happy. Here is a local Vientiene family who have developed land owned by their grandmother into a wonderful family investment - a boutique hotel. Fortunately for us, it just happens to be a 10 minute drive from the heart of the town, and 20 minutes drive to the Airport, and to be alongside acres of soon-to-be developed parkland: hence the name "Green Park". It is a 10 minute walk from Vientiene's cavernous covered market (also being re-built ), and fronts a wide avenue which by day is full of activity but which will add to the French-colonial inspired graciousness of the area once landscaping is undertaken. No other hotel in Vientiene comes close to Green Park. It is a gem!
Because of the family's fluency with English, bookings and communication were no problem in a country where English (certainly written) can prove difficult to understand. What great hosts they proved to be. Each evening they'd ask what type of food we'd care to try and then ensure their driver took us to the restaurant of our choice and gave us the hotel business card (Lao script) so that the locals could phone and we could be collected again at meals end and brought home to Green Park!! We breakfasted daily on cooked breakfasts on the eastern verandah of the dining room, and did spend one lovely evening at their restaurant, feasting on brilliantly cooked and presented international fare (with good wine selection!). The Lao coffee is great, (almost as palatable as Beer Lao!!) and was complemented by a selection of after-dinner spirits/ports. They have trained their wait-staff well, as indeed were all the staff we encountered during our 5 days there. They couldn't do enough for us.
We were blown away when, on our first night there, the Manager remembered that our daughter was turning 13 and appeared complete with birthday cake and candles and sang Happy Birthday to her with his staff. How good is that - we'd emailed him from home weeks prior and he took note of her DOB and put on a treat for her. Brilliant!
Our room was on the ground level and we were thrilled, because that meant we had a beautiful indoor tropical garden housed in a screened courtyard just outside our bathroom - full length tub complete with big picture window overlooking a lush tropical garden of ferns and flowering plants. More than one bubble bath was taken, luxuriating and enjoying the view! And yes, there were ample toiletries; crisp cotton gowns and slippers; plenty of storage space; a well stocked mini-bar; great, new cable TV; and importantly for us, lighting one could read by!! Now if only they could have afforded an American-styled room (2 double beds) to accommodate three people, because fold-out beds for lanky teenagers just don't rate as "triple deluxe" - okay for littlies, but once you get a bit of weight on the child, those roll-aways can prove a tad uncomfortable over an extended period.
The family have supported local artisans and commissioned artworks for the public and private spaces which are stylish and elegant. Additionally, select quality antique pieces dot the foyer. It is not too ethic; not too western, but just right ! They have made extensive use of the brilliant local silk, (I think it's the best I've seen, it is so lustrous!) using it as lush curtaining and bed-runners and scatter cushions in each room, complementing the dark timber fittings. They haven't scrimped on a thing. It oozes quality and class with a
CAPITAL "C".
Because there are other larger international hotels in Vientiene, I can't see Green Park ever being over-run with tour groups. It is more for couples/business singles or small groups - that said, they'd hosted 15 ladies from Sydney on a "shop till you drop" stay, and this is definitely the type of accommodation a "go, girlfriend" group would feel safe and thoroughly comfortable in. Despite the beauty spa not being open on site, (maybe it is by now!) there are plenty of beauty clinics in Vientiene, and lots of seamstresses to run up fashions in silk, yet Vientiene (Laos, in general) doesn't have the "in your face" vendors attitudes one can encounter in neighbouring countries - and that's a blessing! We'd flown in from Luang Prabaeng and needed a quality "vege out" stop on our holiday, and we hit the jackpot at Green Park. Family pride in what they've achieved is evident in the good natured way they make things happen.
We didn't realise that Lao currency can only be changed into other currencies within Lao, so made the mistake of being stuck with it once we arrived in Bangkok. Looks like we'll just HAVE to go back to visit Green Park again - now, that'd be a blow (NOT!)