Vientiane
Tucked away just off popular Rue Francois Ngin, this is a charming boutique hotel set around a courtyard swimming pool. Despite its central location in…
Must-see hotels in Laos
Luang Prabang
This shuttered colonial-era corner house has an alluring patio draped in floral vines and punctuated with some old bomb casings. Interiors have clean…
Luang Prabang
Sitting imperiously atop the Phou Meo hilltop, there are unsurprisingly commanding views across Luang Prabang. The main draw here is an impressive…
Vientiane
This centrally located hostel offers 11 air-con dorms for two or four travellers (prices are by room, not person). Despite the odd pricing system, it…
Vientiane
A standard for business travellers, this blandly designed marbled edifice boasts a vast international-style lobby and spacious rooms. Expect desks,…
Vientiane
This beautifully antiquated house, in a garden swimming in mature plants and frangipani flowers, feels like the sort of place John le Carré might ensconce…
Northern Laos
Still the smartest hotel in Sam Neua, the huge lobby-restaurant is woefully underused, but the rooms are very comfortable for such a remote region of Laos…
Luang Prabang
This small guesthouse gets high marks for its amiable English-speaking owners, 24-hour front desk and shaded upstairs balcony where you can meet fellow…
Luang Prabang
The monks' alms procession at dawn passes directly by Villa Chitdara, set amid a verdant garden in the heart of the old town. It's a charming, house-proud…
Vang Vieng
A handsome boutique hotel in a charming garden near the toll bridge. The Lao-influenced bungalows are relatively small but well appointed with tasteful…
Pakse
A very solid city-centre choice, the rooms here are among the best in this price range for quality, maintenance and cleanliness, although not the best for…
Vang Vieng
With its 60 rooms and five storeys, the new Amari literally looms over Vang Vieng. Service is, not surprisingly, at a high standard, but the rooms,…
Vientiane
Your instinct may be to avoid the chains, but this is a solid, if not entirely unique, choice. There's a cool, plush lobby, calm garden with pool, gym and…
Nong Khiaw
Looming large above town, this property offers some of the best panoramic views in Nong Khiaw. The 10 rooms are attractively finished with imported bed…
Vang Vieng
This hostel, with wedding-cake-style architecture, boasts private rooms with fan or air-con and private balcony and TV, and communal balconies to drink in…
Vientiane
The 'Welcome' and 'Bon Voyage' sign at the entrance sets the tone for a friendly stay, and the nine rooms continue this theme, although the furnishings…
Luang Prabang
A real budget crash pad, Aham offers fan-cooled dorm beds in compact rooms at rock-bottom prices. Somehow the rates include breakfast, which makes it an…
Luang Prabang
Twelve kilometres south of Luang Prabang, Hillside Resort has eight bungalows and a family unit, plus plenty of activities on tap, including board games,…
Vientiane
Unlike anything else in the city, this vernal oasis of wood duplex bungalows is set in gardens spilling with tamarind and champa flowers. The grander…
Northern Laos
Towering above the other accommodation options in town, both literally and metaphorically, this guesthouse has the smartest rooms on offer, with inviting…
Bolaven Plateau Region
Set in the forest right up against Tat Hang, this is probably the best place in the area in terms of location, although staff are a bit indifferent, and…
Luang Prabang
This tastefully renovated traditional house has a prime location between the Mekong River and the old temple district. The nine rooms include air-con, TV…
Savannakhet
This ostentatious hotel overlooking the Mekong offers a slice of international comfort, and its kidney-shaped pool is very welcome on sweltering days, of…
Savannakhet
Pilgrim's Inn is attached to the popular Pilgrim's Kitchen with English-speaking staff who make you feel at home. Guacamole-green rooms feature clean beds…
Vientiane
An opulent neoclassical hotel, the Dhavara offers some of the handsomest if not greatest-value rooms in the capital. Features include marble-clad…
Northern Laos
Boasting some of the smartest accommodation in Phonsavan, this large pile offers 69 rooms featuring hard-polished floors, smart TVs, minibar and well…
Luang Prabang
Canadian-owned Zen Namkhan, 13km southeast of Luang Prabang, takes the exclusive-boutique-hotel approach. Expansive, stylishly minimalist bungalows enjoy…
Luang Prabang
This former royal residence has a striking setting overlooking the Mekong River next to Wat Xieng Thong. The 26 rooms are luxuriously appointed and…
Vientiane
This family-run modern place on the river lacks a little in atmosphere but the clean and comfortable rooms are great value considering the position…
Vang Vieng
Over the bridge and run by gregarious Jo, this expansive, maze-like compound holds a mix of rather weathered but charming rooms and bungalows, both with…
Pakse
Perhaps the best-value lodging in Pakse, Alisa has sparkling rooms, tiled floors, solid wood beds, armoires, working satellite TV and a fridge. Service is…
Luang Prabang
This friendly guesthouse-hotel is typical of the neat, pseudo-traditional buildings that have popped up in this part of the old quarter recently. Wood…
Vientiane
For a home-like stay, check out Somerset Vientiane, a luxury apartment complex on the road to the airport. Rooms include lots of space, kitchenette, large…
Northern Laos
One of the many guesthouses stretching up the hill from the boat dock, this stands out thanks to its friendly English-speaking owner, slightly larger than…
Luang Prabang
There's a subtle whiff of Indo-chic here and the stone-floored, white-walled rooms, although showing their age, enjoy golden tapestries and chrome fans…
Luang Prabang
The morning monks' procession passes right outside the cheaper rooms. The upper ones are brighter and share a balcony with a wat view. Wood-panelled rooms…
Villa Amazing Maison Guesthouse
Northern Laos
Despite the slightly convoluted name, this is the best-value guesthouse in town, run by the knowledgeable team from Amazing Phonsali Travel. Opened in…
Luang Prabang
This stylish property, originally the brainchild of Aman Resorts' founder Adrian Zecha, is right in the centre of town and set around a courtyard garden…
Bolaven Plateau Region
As the main building is fairly newish and the rooms have wi-fi, this mostly clean place 1.5km west of the market is the best lodging choice in town. Rooms…
Luang Prabang
Lao Spirit is on the banks of the river 13km east of Luang Prabang and has a convivial collection of thatched cottages on sturdy brick stilts. Interiors…
