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Monuments to ancient gods abound in Southeast Asia
Laos Hotels
VIENTIANE
Although few tourists stick around in Vientiane, the lodging scene is agreeably wide-ranging, with most properties located in the center and a handful on the outskirts. The fanciest and priciest option is a night at the landmark Settha Palace Hotel (6 Pang Kham St.), a converted French colonial villa with Old World charm to spare, four-poster beds in the rooms, and lovely landscaped gardens with a swimming pool. The best value property is a short drive west of the center, where the tastefully decked-out Novotel Vientiane (Ban Khountathong Samsenthai Rd.) has a bevy of facilities and complimentary transport into town. If traveling on a shoestring, your best bet is Anou Hotel (1-3 Hengboun St.) in the bustling Chinatown section of town, with capacious rooms and a decent onsite bar and restaurant.
LUANG PRABANG
A smattering of older hotels and guesthouses grace the UNESCO-protected town center, but you'll find most of the new hotels on the outskirts. A veritable five-star slice of paradise is to be savored at the boutique La Résidence Phou Vao (Phou Vao Rd.) a lush hilltop haven a short drive from town, where bougainvillea, palms, and frangipani line an infinity pool, and balconied rooms are found in a series of stylish villas; there's also an excellent French-Lao restaurant on site. For a royal Lao-themed stay, book a room at the posh Villa Santi Resort & Spa in the heart of town (Royal Sakkarine Rd.), a colonial building that was once a bona fide royal residence. At the tip of the peninsula, a converted 1904 mansion houses Le Calao (Khaem Kong Rd.), a value hotel whose pleasant rooms each come with a private Mekong-facing balcony. The best town-center budget option is the cozy Le Tam Tam Garden Guesthouse (91/8 Sisavangvong Rd.) ), with a charming garden restaurant and even a bakery on the premises.
See Laos Travel Guide | See Vietnam Travel Guide | See Hanoi Travel GuideSee Angkor Travel Guide
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