UPCOUNTRY
escape
A new resort with something for everybody is attracting visitors to an unspoiled corner of northern Laos, writes Vincent VichitVadakan
24
T
he first time I travelled to Namkat Yorla Pa I almost didn't make it. The day we set off, unbeknownst to us, the northern province of Oudomxay was experiencing the worst flooding it had seen in almost a decade. Landslides blocked the mountain roads and flood waters washed away a bridge we had to cross. We understood that travel in Laos could be unpredictable so we considered the options and decided that the best path was forward. We arrived after dark, wet, muddy and disgruntled. We shuffled through the dramatically designed lobby, had some dinner and called it a night.
A soak in my in-room Jacuzzi took the edge off, but it was really only the next morning, clean and well-rested, that the charm of Namkat Yorla Pa began to sink in. First, all the beautiful rooms in this brand-new resort, now only in its second season of operation, offer the blend of tradition and sleek design that are the trademark of François Greck, the French architect who has worked on some of the most prestigious projects in Laos over the past 25 years. All rooms in all categories have huge bay windows with river views, traditional wood furnishings and ultramodern bathrooms. Superior rooms offer a comfortable space,
