At age 84, hotel industry legend Adrian Zecha is not slowing down. The man who created hotel “junkies” with his Aman ultra-luxury brand only to lose it to Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin is back with a new and simpler “affordable luxury” brand, Azerai. The first property just launched in Laos, and he is reportedly planning to develop more hotels under the Azerai brand in the near term.
Here is a sneak peek at the first Azerai hotel by Zecha.
The name blends Zecha’s initials, AZ, and the Persian word caravanserai, a courtyard for travelers at rest. The hotel is in the township of Luang Prebang, a UNESCO heritage site in the north of Laos, 388 miles from the capital of Vientiane. The town is home to 30 active Theravada Buddhist temples.
The 53-room hotel, with three room sizes, features a fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary aesthetics. It formerly was the site of bungalows used as French officer quarters and later by the Laotian government before it became a hotel that was closed in 2014 and converted to the Azerai.
The rooms are open plan with en-suite shower room, vanities, a convertible king-sized bed, and French doors that open on to a balcony or terrace with loungers.
The hotel also has a 25-meter pool, a massage retreat and fitness options.
Dining options include the Azerai Bistro, with indoor and outdoor seating. The Bistro Bar offers a birds-eye view of the lively main street and night market. By the central garden and pool is another bar that also offers juices and smoothies.
The interior of the hotel has several lounges and terraces where guests can relax. The Pavilion is a multi-use enclosed area where children can play indoors. It can also be set up for meetings and private events.
