8 Best Hotels in Laos

This gorgeous riverfront boutique resort with outdoor rain-style showers and truly cool air-conditioning is the perfect spot to start or end a southern Laos excursion. A bit north of Champassak Town, secluded from the road, the resort has two swimming pools, a spa, and a fantastic restaurant. Extras include Mekong sunset cruises and trips to the Bolaven Plateau and Si Phan Don.

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.

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 5-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 one of the most expensive accommodations in Laos.

Towering above the river in close proximity to Vang Vieng's tourist enclave, the Amari is popular with tour groups, but sleek rooms with walls of windows and attractive river-view balconies offset that nuisance. The complex is set around an impressive swimming pool next to the riverside, a perfect spot to end a day with a cocktail in hand.

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. The hotel is very expensive during the high season, but substantial discounts are offered during slower periods.

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.

Opened in 2016, this eco-focused resort 10 miles out of Oudomxay's center is set amid the natural beauty around Nam Kat Waterfall and is quite popular with domestic tourists. The rooms and villas, some with private plunge pools, mix rattan, bamboo, and terra-cotta tiles. It's quite luxurious for the region. There is also a glamping option with en-suite bathrooms and plush beds to truly go "full nature" without sacrificing comfort. The infinity pool, set against a backdrop of forested hills, is the resort's best touch. Ziplining through the forest is definitely recommended!

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.