39 Best Hotels in Laos

This complex of historical mansions stands under official UNESCO World Heritage site protection, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of the former owner to retain its weathered but handsome look. The vintage Citroen parked out front, original wooden floors and clay tiles, and the use of dark wood, silks, and homespun local fabrics in the large rooms enhance the colonial setting. You can buy the fabrics in the hotel shop, along with Lao teas, coffee, and spices. Some rooms have four-poster beds. Deluxe Room 6 has a balcony like that of the executive suite, ideal for watching the morning alms procession of local monks. The 3 Nagas Restaurant on the lobby terrace is a longtime favorite for its fine food and elegant surroundings and the Nagini bar in the French colonial building serves cocktails with class.

The queen of resorts in Luang Prabang, this gorgeous and tranquil oasis occupies the old French colonial hospital and is surrounded by leafy gardens and shaded verandas. The spacious suites, which have claw-foot tubs and private patios, are clustered around an enormous courtyard and huge pool. Lao and French cuisines are served in the colonial dining room, and there's a well-stocked library, state-of-the-art fitness center, and self-contained spa specializing in all types of relaxation packages. Best of all, this serene haven of exclusivity is a 10-minute stroll from the center of town, near all the wats, markets, and restaurants. Attention to detail and personal service are the hallmarks of this temple of opulence. Be prepared to blow the bank, though, as this is by far the most expensive accommodation in Laos.

The former residence of Prince Souvannaphoum, prime minister in the 1960s, has been transformed into one of Luang Prabang's top hotels. The colonial-style mansion contains the reception area, an open-air restaurant, a bar, and, upstairs, the suites; the regular rooms occupy a newer building alongside the main building. All the accommodations are large, bright, and attractively furnished, with small balconies overlooking tropical greenery. Ask for a room at the back, away from the busy street, for more peace and quiet, or opt for the prince's bedroom suite, which is spacious, elegant, and romantic. The hotel has a decent swimming pool, a nice spa, and guests have access to free bicycles.

This hotel is clean, comfortable, and centrally located to the heart of the action in Phonsavan. 

A small boutique hotel on a quiet lane near the Mekong River, the Ansara is convenient to local attractions. Its 28 upscale rooms come equipped with complimentary minibars and free laptops for guest use. The adjoining La Signature, which serves French cuisine, is one of Vientiane's best restaurants.

With its white facade and balustrades and riverside location, this former shophouse complex is now a trendy boutique hotel. It also houses Luang Prabang's plushest restaurant, Paste, so it's worth a visit, even if you're not staying the night. The reasonably priced rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that face east, so you can catch the sunrise over the nearby mountains. Rooms 1 through 5 on the second floor have the best river or mountain views.

For those looking for something glamorous and exclusive, this sister property of the Apsara, across the Nam Khan River, has a swimming pool, private verandas, and a free 24-hour shuttle-boat service to take guests across the river. The nine boutique rooms are in a villa decorated with fine contemporary Asian art. The hotel is a stone's throw from town, but its private position across the river makes it feel secluded.

Its prime position on Phou Vao (Kite Hill) gives this sumptuous hotel the best views in town. Traditional Lao touches are everywhere, creating a sense of exotic luxury in the rosewood-furnished rooms. In the evening you can relax over cocktails at the Dok Champa Bar and soak in the restful garden surroundings. The restaurant ($$$$) is among Luang Prabang's best, serving authentic Lao food and rich French dishes. Seven different therapies are available at the spa; stay a full week and you can try a different treatment each day. The hotel provides a free shuttle service into town for its guests. At $380 for the lowest-price rooms, the hotel is very expensive during the high season, but substantial discounts are offered during slower periods.

Vientiane's newest, and arguably best, chain hotel blends traditional Lao touches with modern conveniences like super-fast Wi-Fi. Rooms have both showers and bathtubs, as well as views over the city. The hotel has two restaurants, a lounge, and a pool bar, so you'll be well taken care of. The staff here are definitely some of the best-trained in Laos. 

Almost every room at this modern four-story hotel has a river view, a balcony, hardwood floors, and wooden trim constructed of recycled bits of old Lao houses. The restaurant spills onto the lawn and a patio alongside the river, where guests can sip complimentary tea and Lao coffee. A traditional herbal Lao sauna and massage room nestle underneath the restaurant, providing respite and comfort after a day outdoors.

This is a good choice if you're after a trusted brand with clean and comfortable facilities, right next to the Nam Phou Fountain and the adjoining restaurant and bars. The rooms are on the small side, but the beds are excellent. The room rate doesn't include breakfast ($10 extra) but there's good free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

For a luxury Robinson Crusoe experience, nothing surpasses La Folie. The spacious bungalows have stunning views of the Mekong, as well as Wat Phou across the way, and they front the largest sandy beach in the 4,000 Islands area. With tourism on Don Daeng still in its infancy, the island and its locals offer unparalleled unspoiled charm. The unique arrival boat trip and bicycles to get around the island are included in the price. Rooms go for a substantial discount in the off-season.

Something of a local landmark, the Lao Plaza stands six stories tall in the center of town. The sleek exterior is a contrast to the old-fashioned comforts within: rooms are furnished with dark woods, shades of powder blue and soft rose, Oriental rugs, and some homey touches like fresh flowers and fluffy pillows.

Fronting the Mekong and just down the street from Wat Xieng Thong, this small hotel was resurrected from a ruined mansion built by a Portuguese merchant in 1904. Four guest rooms upstairs open onto a colonnaded veranda to views of the river and the hills beyond. The two rooms on the lower floor, each with three beds, are larger and have private terraces, but are a bit dark. Because of the hotel's small size and popularity, it's highly advisable to book ahead November through April or ask about the owner's similar properties nearby.

With a convenient location in the heart of town near the Mekong River, and comfort at competitive rates, this hotel is popular with business travelers. Rooms are spacious and have dark parquet floors. The ground floor holds the reception area, restaurant, and lounge, which are separated by potted plants and wooden dividers. Behind the building are a narrow garden and a small pool, a nice place to take advantage of the hotel's Wi-Fi.

Rooms here are simple but clean, with comfortable beds, hot showers, TVs, air-conditioning, and fans—all luxuries in this neck of the woods. Wi-Fi is available throughout, and at 80,000 kip a room, this guesthouse is a great value. On the main road it's a good choice if you're spending the night in Oudomxay on the way to or from Phongsaly.

Situated around UNESCO-protected ponds, Maison Dalabua is a peaceful escape, while still in the city. With a deceptively modest entrance that blends into the neighborhood, the property opens up into an expansive complex teeming with foliage. Decorated in fine Lao textiles, the comfortable rooms are equipped with bathtubs and verandas. Breakfast is served on a pond-side deck. The hotel's restaurant, Manda de Laos, is also highly recommended. 

With nice enough rooms to let, a good restaurant, and a respected tour agency, the Maly Hotel may not be as well looked after as it used to be but it's still good value in Phonsavan. The deluxe rooms have good views, though they are a bit pricey compared to the rooms without. The restaurant, which serves Laotian and Western dishes, is packed with interesting UXO and other weaponry found in the area. As for the tour agency, you can book local tours and take care of your onward travel needs. The friendly management speaks English, and can also handle pickups and drop-offs and anything else you might require.

A five-minute drive from the airport, this modern hotel with a sweeping art-nouveau facade has a pleasant location in front of Fa Ngum Park. The Mercure has all the usual Accor chain comforts and facilities, including a dance club that is popular with locals.

It's well worth spending several nights at this luxurious lodge located above natural hot springs. There is also a swimming pool on an island in the river, accessible by a suspension bridge. The hotel also operates 4WD tours, complete with a delicious picnic lunch, into the surrounding mountains to visit authentic ethnic minority villages. Some touring is included in the price of the rooms. 

Of Ban Meuang Ngoi's many simple guesthouses, this one is probably the best. It has seventeen clean and spacious bungalows with plain white walls, fans, wooden decks and floorboards, and good mosquito netting. There's also a very good restaurant, which overlooks the river and has the best sunset views in town.

Pakse's oldest hotel was refurbished in 2018 and keeps offering well-maintained, centrally located rooms, though the deluxe ones are better value. They're furnished in bamboo and rattan, and have large beds, river views, a writing desk and chairs, and decent-sized bathrooms. The rooftop terrace and restaurant area is a pleasant sunset retreat, with a fine view of the town and surrounding countryside.

The enormous Mekong Riverview rooms with terraces are the way to go at this inviting riverside property. All the rooms are modern and well-equipped, with flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and other amenities. The beautiful swimming pool, a marvelous place to lounge, edges the river. The hotel arranges afternoon boat cruises to see the Irrawaddy dolphins and Khone Phapheng waterfall, helpful for visitors without the time to head down to Don Khon.

Family-run guesthouses are common in Luang Prabang, but this one stands out for making patrons feel right at home. The Rattana sisters, Somsanith and Somporn, their mother, and their adopted daughter are extremely knowledgeable and helpful (one sister works for an established tour operator, the other is a doctor). Rooms are bright, clean, and comfortable. Rooms 101 and 102 have small balconies; note that 102 has a detached, though private, bath. There's no restaurant.

With the best riverside viewpoint in town, overlooking fabulous mountain scenery and an atmospheric wooden bridge, this upscale boutique hotel is blissfully, beautifully serene. The suites overlook the river and have huge balconies and sun loungers. The swimming pool is a big draw on hot afternoons, and the on-site Restaurant du Crabe d'Or is Vang Vieng's swankiest eatery.

About a third of the wood-floor rooms in this midtown hotel (not to be confused with the similarly named Phonevichith Riverside) have superb Mekong River views. All rooms come with air-conditioning, TVs, hot water, and minibars, and the adjoining restaurant is among Houay Xai's best options for a meal with a memorable view. The Riverside, next to the former ferry crossing to Chiang Khong, Thailand, is a decent choice for a convenient night's rest. For some reason, rooms booked through a travel agent are a far better deal than walk-in requests, so either call ahead or see if an agent across the river will set you up before crossing.

Situated outside the city by a pleasant waterfall, the Rosewood is a romantic sanctuary, that takes its decor cues from the heritage architecture of the city and traditional Lao art. Rooms vary from riverside and pool villas up to luxury tents on top of a hill with panoramic views. There's also a spa and the hotel operates its own river cruises.

Spotless and super cheap, this place in the center of town is the ideal Luang Prabang guesthouse. Rooms are basic but have TVs and private bathrooms. Best of all, it's near several bakeries: the Croissant d' Or is next door, and the Luang Prabang Bakery and Scandinavian Bakery are just across the road.

There are three types of rooms at this charming resort: French colonial-style rooms, adobe-style rooms in a garden, and atmospheric "raftels" floating on the Mekong. The 4,000 Sunsets restaurant serves decent food, and there's a swimming pool.

Rooms with Lao textiles and decor, finely crafted wood floors, and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and fast Wi-Fi make this boutique hotel on a quiet downtown street a splendid choice. Some rooms have temple views, and a spa, a bar, and a decent restaurant are on-site. The staff here speaks fluent English, a plus in these parts. The hotel is a block or so up from the river in the heart of the city center.