29 Best Hotels in Laos

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.

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. 

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. 

A premier boutique hotel in a refurbished historical corner building, Residence Sisouk is luxurious and charming, with original hardwood flooring and a mix of old and new furnishings. The large rooms have charming four-poster beds, parquet floors, high ceilings, spacious en-suite bathrooms, and romantic wraparound balconies filled with potted plants.

Formerly a prince's residence, this century-old property has been refurbished and expanded into a series of French colonial homes surrounded by pools and gardens and is one of Luang Prabang's best-kept secrets. The owner, a serious collector, has furnished every nook and cranny with fine-art pieces, paintings, and antiques she's come across during her global wanderings. The rooms and suites are spacious and decked out in superior wood furniture, with poster beds and writing desks. All accommodations have either terraces or garden views. In the spirit of keeping modern touches to a minimum there are no TVs, though they are available upon request, and Satri House has excellent Wi-Fi throughout. Other amenities include two swimming pools, a spa, and a well-regarded French-Lao restaurant. The hotel is a member of the prestigious Secret Retreats boutique lodging collection.

Rooms at this landmark property have high ceilings, hardwood floors, Oriental rugs, and period pieces that reflect its many histories—from its inception in the French colonial period to its life as a hotel in the 1930s and again in the '90s (with a period of expropriation by the Communist government in between). Lush gardens surround a large pool, and the lobby, decorated with fine antiques, is adjacent to a small bar and elegant restaurant, La Belle Epoque, which specializes in Lao and French cuisine. City tours are available via the hotel's London taxi.

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 Citroën 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 former residence of Prince Souvannaphouma, 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. 

The old-world charm of this two-story building extends from spacious vintage-styled rooms to a lovely pool area, enclosed by long wooden planks. A cozy hall and restaurant welcome guests on the ground floor.

This modern and clean Thai-style flashpacker hotel within walking distance of the bus station has large rooms, most with small balconies; sturdy beds; and decent-sized bathrooms—all great perks at this price range. The friendly and helpful reception is set next to a small café and restaurant, and they can assist with booking taxis.

This small boutique hotel above the namesake Euro-inspired bistro offers a few good-value, squeaky-clean rooms that range from basic-but-stylish doubles to larger mini-studio apartments. Located up a side alley near the fountain square, it's a perfect option to stretch the budget in style. Breakfast is included and served at the café downstairs.

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.

This central hotel's well-appointed rooms have wood floors, large and modern en-suite bathrooms, and balconies offering stunning views of the Nam Song and mountain backdrop. You'll also find an attractive pool housed in a modern industrial-chic building. 

Something of a local landmark, the Lao Plaza stands six stories tall in the center of town. The modest exterior is a contrast to the modern comforts within: rooms are furnished with blond woods, shades of slate gray and navy blue, and some homey touches like fresh flowers and fluffy pillows.

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 for the price, 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.

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.

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 Khone Phapheng waterfall, helpful for visitors without the time to head down to Don Khon.

About a third of the wood-floor rooms in this midtown hotel (not to be confused with the similarly named Houayxay Riverside) have superb Mekong River views. All rooms come with air-conditioning, TVs, hot water, and minibars, and the adjoining restaurant is among Huay 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. 

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.

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. The 4th-floor Pepper Wood Bar is highly recommended for its creative tipples and nice view.

Tastefully put together by a Lao-Australian couple, Silver Naga has well-planned spacious rooms with all the modern conveniences and an infinity pool that overlooks the Nam Song. Yoga classes are also available to bring inner harmony. There's an on-site branch of Naked Espresso here, where you can get the best lattes in a hundred-mile radius.

Though some say this elegant hotel was a French governor's mansion, in actuality it was the colonial-era prison (complete with guard towers); regardless, it's now one of Luang Prabang's most exclusive resorts. Slightly hidden away on a quiet side street, the hotel's historic buildings stand amid lovely courtyards. One building is a spa, one is a cooking school, and there is a swimming pool along with a sunken seating area with a bonfire for chilly nights. Rooms come with poster beds and have either hot tubs or plunge pools. The restaurant serves fantastic farm-to-table Lao and French cuisine.

Neatly arranged in a lush meadow that faces a blue lagoon sheltered by an impressive karst formation, this series of squeaky-clean bamboo bungalows is set 2 km from Kong Lor's entrance. If the stunning natural setting isn't enough, the on-site restaurant dishes up pretty good Lao and international mains, and staff can get you to Kong Lor with a scenic water-taxi ride.

This charming hotel feels almost like a ski chalet, as it sits on a small hill with views of town. Rooms are cozy and some even have fireplaces for the cold winters here (it can get down to freezing). The decor is reminiscent of American national park lodges, with white stucco, stone walls, and antlers as decor.

The final residence of Laos's royal family has been renovated into one of the Old Town's most luxurious addresses. Perfectly situated next to Wat Xieng Thong and fronting the Mekong at the quiet northern end of the peninsula, this hotel evokes Luang Prabang's heritage but also pampers guests with an au courant spa and a sterling riverside restaurant. Some rooms have private plunge pools.

It might look a bit uninspiring from the outside, but the spotless refurbished rooms here have all the bells and whistles that travelers come to expect, even in such a remote part of Laos. The old historic downtown area is just outside the door.