What is it? A hospital built in the 1920s, in French colonial times, the property was vacated in 2005 and sat derelict until the Aman group began restoring it in 2007. Luang Prabang, in northern Laos, is a Unesco World Heritage site, so the restoration had to be carried out faithfully; roof tiles and wood had to be sourced locally, for instance. Its 24 suites and villas, most of which have a private pool and garden, now play host to the most A-list of celebrities, indolence and opulence holding sway where once there was pain and suffering.
So, is it haunted? No, says the spa manager, but, just to be on the safe side, there is a spirit house behind the spa, the massage rooms (inset) of which must be among the largest and airiest in Southeast Asia. As further insurance, the resort invites in monks every October, on the anniversary of the resort's 2009 opening, to exorcise any lingering souls.
What is there to do? This is Luang Prabang, so the emphasis is on doing little - slowly. Offered, however, are hotel-organised excursions, such as a sunset cruise down the Mekong, complete with day bed and personal assistant, and a 5.30am trip into town to witness the monks walk the streets collecting alms. Use of bicycles and the hotel's tuk-tuks is complimentary but, Luang Prabang being the size it is, the 'out-of-town' Amantaka is a mere 10-minute stroll from Thanon Sisavangvong, the spine of this tiny highland gem. Elephants and bears are among the local fauna you can be taken to see, cultural talks/demonstrations are given in the afternoons and, in high season, a free one-hour yoga session is held at 7.30 each morning. (As you may now have gathered, this is an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of place).
Is there a restaurant? There is, but it has no name and eschews bills; the staff know who you are and which suite you are in. The dinner menu is brief, changes daily and offers a set Lao meal and Western ?la carte dishes. At lunchtime, your buffalo burger or nem dip (fresh pork spring rolls with a chilli dipping sauce) can be taken in your room or by the main pool (above). At 4pm, high tea is served in the well-stocked library.
What do Mr & Mrs Smith think? 'Aman enthusiasts will rub their hands with glee as they discover the latest luxury creation from Adrian Zecha,' say the boutique-hotel specialists. Zecha may be particularly fond of this one; he has had a house built for himself behind the resort.
Anything else we should know? As in most other Aman properties, rooms do not contain televisions; an attempt to encourage guests to properly disengage from the outside world. Complimentary Wi-fi is provided, however, and there are two computer terminals in the library for those who just can't help themselves. And if you were to rate properties on their towel-to-guest ratios, this place would win hands down.