Team
Meet the Team of NamKhan Ecolodge
Alexis Savigny – General Manager
Born in Switzerland, Alexis Savigny is passionate about hospitality and has experience managing resorts around South East Asia since 2014. After landing in Luang Prabang in 2018, Alexis fell in love with the Laotian culture and its slow way of life. Not long after, Alexis met his future wife and settled along the shores of the Mekong River. Alexis was very much involved in creating and launching an organic farm in the surrounding mountains of Luang Prabang.
Saita – Hotel, Reception, Reservation Manager & Horse Riding Teacher
Saita moved to Laos in 2017 to return to her roots and discover her father’s country. Passionate about hospitality, Saita has working experience in hotels across Europe and abroad. Saita developed a passion for horseback riding as a child and graduated at the French equestrian level, which led her to set up an equestrian centre. She enjoys teaching ethological riding, show jumping and trekking. Saita also leads Pony Camps at NamKhan Ecolodge and will show you our spectacular views from the best seat of the house.
Lennert Wendt – Vegan Chef
Lennert Wendt is a creative mind and curious entrepreneur with a sense of sustainability and concern for social and environmental issues. He cooks with spices and attitude but without national borders and limitations, following his intuition rather than someone else’s recipes. Lennert used to run two restaurants in Hamburg, Germany, and he mainly focused on plant-based cuisines. Lennert is interested in holistic processes. To him, cooking begins in the garden. It is not the interaction of nature and humans, but humans as part of nature that allows nature to unfold in the garden, in the kitchen and finally on the plate.
Longlee – Activity Manager
Originally from Hmong ethnic group, Longlee studied agriculture at Luang Prabang University. After his studies, he worked as a tour guide learning about rice cultivation and welcoming foreigners to his country, Laos, for several years. Longlee works as an Activity Manager at NamKhan Ecolodge and is a perfect guide for farm tours, bamboo weaving workshops, and kayaking or tubing trips, providing the best experience.
Ngern – Farm Manager & Farm Team
Originally from the South of Laos, Ngern joined our team in 2020. Ngern studied agriculture in southern Laos and came to Luang Prabang to work on our farm and learn different techniques from our foreign agronomists. Ngern specialises in organic vegetable cultivation and is passionate about plants and vegetables. She ensures that our vegetable beds are planted on time so you can enjoy our organic dishes. Ngern is also in charge of distributing vegetables to our partners in the city and selling them to the organic markets.
Bounlerd – Accountant Admin Manager
Of Khamu origin, Bounlerd is the right hand of our GM and has been working in the hotel industry for more than 8 years. His passion for numbers and computers led him to specialise in the accounting and administration department. Bounlerd started as a waiter, then as a receptionist, and is now our Accountant Admin Manager. With exceptional intelligence, he also listens well to guests and will be happy to welcome and assist you during your stay at NamKhan Ecolodge.
Phonexai – Lao Chef
Phonexai is our Lao Chef and the main Chef at NamKhan Ecolodge. He is from the Luang Prabang province and has more than 7 years of experience in the restaurant business. He started with us in 2019 and worked his way up the ladder with his creativity, tenacity and passion for cooking. Dedicated to bringing you fresh, quality food, Phonexai manages our Farm to Table Restaurant for the pleasure of your taste buds.
Noy – Lao Chef for Cooking Classes
Noy is our part-time Lao Chef who runs our cooking classes. With more than 10 years of experience in the kitchen in Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, Noy has a deep love for cooking. All she needs is a knife to wander around the organic farm to concoct and teach you the best Lao recipes. An artist in the kitchen with boundless creativity, she would love to teach you the secret to delicious Asian dishes. Noy is the perfect Chef for your cooking classes at NamKhan Ecolodge.
Deborah Hill – Yoga Instructor
Deborah is a group fitness instructor, massage therapist, and specialist in personal training who has travelled to teach yoga all over the world. After graduating 200 hours teacher training in Ashtanga Vinyasa, Deborah completed 50 hours of Yin and a further 500 hours of Hatha advanced teacher training and yoga philosophy. Deborah’s passion and expertise have led her to teach a modified version of the Ashtanga Primary Series and dynamic Vinyasas, which Yin Yoga perfectly complements.
Estella Llabres – Yoga Instructor
Estella dedicated her entire life to studying, learning and teaching movement. Estella is a Pilates instructor, Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis trainer. Estella completed the 500th Yoga Advanced Training and went deeper into the studies of Nidra Yoga. She travelled to Asia frequently to learn massage techniques and now specialises in Thai massage, postural yoga and more. Estella combines all her knowledge and brings her expertise to provide a fulfilling wellness experience.