Amantaka Luang Prabang

The demands of a business schedule can mean that vacations are all too brief and, while there is much to recommend in escaping into a realm of indulgence and luxury lifestyle, choices are leaning towards a deeper experience that creates both the vacation indulgence and the broadening of authentic experience connecting the mind and soul to a rejuvenating level of learning. To take guests on a journey that can help them relax, unwind and also be stimulating, enjoyable and enlightening is something that aman resorts have been practicing for some time.

Renown for their exquisite locations worldwide aman has recently opened amantaka in the UNESCO Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Nestled in a confluence of the Mekong River this ancient town has enjoyed protective status since 1995.on account of it's being an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This declaration and subsequent protection allows the town to remain undisturbed by the development that encroaches on the neighboring areas of Northern Thailand.

While many of the inhabitants of Luang Prabang were displaced during the rule of the Pathet Lao during the 1970's and 80's, those who live there now are relearning the culture of the town, and by those who have returned to teach the ancient arts of gold embroidery, painting and music.

Amantaka is located in the old hospital grounds, and under the supervision of UNESCO the restoration of the property began in 2005. Meticulously following the guidance of Laurent Rampon, a Luang Prabang based UNESCO Heritage conservation specialist the resort has restored 15 of the French Colonial buildings to their former elegance and authenticity.

Here in this spacious, shaded gentle setting guests can enjoy the amantaka spa, the Lounge Bar, the pool or the tennis courts and appreciate the fine cuisine that is sourced from the vibrant local markets and served with French flair.

The main charm of Luang Prabang however lies in its devotion to Buddhism. In the early dawn novice monks, some as young as seven, walk through the town, heads lowered in mindful prayer, with their alms bowls slightly ahead of them to accept offerings of rice. This is no tourist show but the practice of ancient ritual

that has seen Luang Prabang through many changes.

Guests of amantaka are able to observe this, and other monastic rituals through the amantaka's ties to the local community and the amantaka staff who are enthusiastic to share knowledge of their culture with 'outsiders'. The opportunity for learning and practicing a peaceful approach to living can be taken during a stay at amantaka. Staff will also arrange excursions to the Buddhist Archives, a project initiated by the British Library to protect the historical records, images and photographs that have been collected by Luang Prabangmonks since the 1800's.

Other excursions take in the magnificent Kuang Xi waterfalls, jungle treks and the caves of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. Luang Prabang town is also an 'excursion'. Luang Prabang is living history, the cars on the road are few, and often a classic old Mercedes can be seen passing by as if from another time entirely. The charm of the local hill tribes in the market, the constantly moving waters of the Mekong and Khan at the town's edge, the sense of an uninterrupted harmony between man and nature is, these days, the predominant sensation.

Yet it wasn't so long ago that things were very different for the people of Luang Prabang, and the stories that can be heard, sitting in restaurants and cafes chatting with locals and long term ex-pats adds a further dimension of magic for fans of Graham Greene and writers of that ilk.

Luang Prabang is one of South East Asia's secrets, it is a delight to discover what ever your passion. Fine food lovers must see the pates being made in the early morning market, adventurers can take a jungle trek with an aman guides. Those in search of soulful encounters can sit with the monks and those who just want to stop the world for a brief uncluttered moment can relax in the garden and enjoy the passing of time.

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By providing everything they need, introducing them to local culture through meaningful exchanges and experiences creates for aman guests an holistic vacation where all the sense are cared for and where the opportunity to give as well as receive presents itself. By sharing cultures bridges of understanding are built in generous and open ways that increase respect of all cultures and lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Aman resorts create these experiences for their guests in properties throughout the world, and the relationship aman creates between staff and guests, guests and the local community is the reason so many guests seek out the aman experience. Amansara in Siem Reap, by the temples of Angkor Wat, amanjiwo in the foothills of the Central Java mountains overlooking Borobudur, amangalla at Galle Fort in Sri Lanka and aman at Summer Palace, Beijing are other aman properties that share this commitment to the understanding of cultural and spiritual heritage.