The Seasons Riverside hotel in Vientiane, popular among regional businesspeople, is putting the finishing touches on its refurbishment, with an eye towards expansion to stand on the global stage.
Most of our guest are here on business from regional markets, and stay an average of three to four nights,” said the hotel’s General Manager Vilasa Chanthalangsy, who added that all receive complimentary airport transfers.
He noted that seasonality doesn’t affect Seasons Riverside, as the upscale hotel fills its rooms all year round. “We hit a 70-75% occupancy rate or better every month, Mr Vilasa said. “They keep coming back, with new guests choosing us via word of mouth. Now we want those words to reach the world.”
Located on the “Mekong Strip” just steps from the tourist area, the 38-key Seasons Riverside presents luxury accommodation decked out in a trendy Lao style that fuses a minimalistic, in-vogue design with touches of traditional Laos.
“Most of our guests are looking for super comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, and standard amenities in a chic atmosphere at a reasonable price,” Mr Vilasa said.
Twin and super king-size beds dominate the three room categories, with 22 superior rooms offering balconies for morning coffee or an after-work drink from the mini-bar. The four deluxe suites present balconies overlooking the Mekong, while standard rooms feature window views.
Coupled with this comfort, the Seasons Riverside’s food and beverage outlets boost the hotel’s draw. The Seasons Café offers a caffeinated menu of freshly roasted, top-quality Trio coffee from the Bolaven Plateau in brightly coloured cups and saucers. “Guests can also savour smoothies and fresh juice, a favourite among upper-end Thai guests,” Mr Vilasa noted.
“People come to the Seasons Café after work for a coffee and to discuss work,” he added. “The café also provides a small meeting room for privacy.”
In the morning, the hotel transforms the café into a 60-seat restaurant for its new Lao and Western buffet line up. After breakfast, the Seasons Café delivers a lunch and dinner menu of Lao and ASEAN cuisine along with a selection of French wine. Guests can also pull up a chair outside in a landscaped garden hidden from the street by manicured shrubs.
A few steps away, the 200-seat Tummour restaurant serves Lao and Isan (northeast Thailand) dishes, and a separate bar space, with a TV, for drinks and a casual meal. Guests can spice up their day at the attached Papaya Salad Station that pumps out more than 25 kg of Laos’ favourite dish every day.
Add to that, rooftop drinking and dining. “We’re currently putting the finishing touches on Seasons Riverside’s indoor-outdoor rooftop restaurant designed for those seeking to kick back with an unrivalled Mekong view,” Mr Vilasa said. “Guests can sink into a beanbag chair, grab a Beer Lao, and watch the sunset over the river.”
Across the street, Tummour presents a new beer garden and full bar on its Mekong Riverside terrace, with dozens of tables for the night-time crowd roaming the Mekong Strip.
“Both the rooftop restaurant and riverside beer garden are part of our mission to promote the nightlife on the Mekong,” Mr Vilasa said, adding, “We also aim to highlight all of Vientiane’s tourist attractions.”
The Seasons Riverside now offers local tours using their tuk tuks and other transportation, with Buddha Park emerging as one of the most popular attractions among the hotel’s guests.
“The Buddha Park tour gives time-snsitive guests the chance to immerse themselves in Laos’ Buddhist heritage in one place,” Mr Vilasa pointed out. Visits to other city landmarks can be arranged at the hotel’s tour desk.
What else is new at Seasons Riverside? How about turning the Lao modern-style lobby into a green space.
“We’re bringing trees into the spacious lobby to add a clean and green atmosphere to yesteryear’s wooden pillars and furniture, marble floors, and antiques, such as an old telephone switchboard from the original Mongkol Hotel,” Mr Vilasa explained. “Guests can feel the mix of traditional/modern Lao style.”
The lobby also features a shelf of carved wooden elephants. “The owner loves elephants…but who doesn’t,” Mr Vilasa quipped. An art gallery showcases original paintings of Lao scenes, which guests can purchase, and a rack of impressive postcards tempts guests to bring home a reminder of their stay.
To further Seasons Riverside’s appeal to global business travellers, a fitness centre will soon be completed, for those who want to maintain their fitness regime.
Looking to a future of rooms filled with global guests, Seasons Riverside is considering expanding its room count at a nearby property.
“We are really excited about how quickly Seasons Riverside has taken off in the region,” said Mr Vilasa. “Now, we want to spread our business accommodation and food and beverage concept to global guests.”
Website: www.seasonsriverside.com
Email: Season@seasons_laos.com
WhatsApp: +856 20 9177 9696
