Laos conjures images of simple, rustic life, conical hats and misty temples, but it's increasingly catering to a more sophisticated boho crowd on the lookout for boutique hotels - getting down and dirty by day, reclining in Indochinese elegance by night.
Stylish boutique hotels in Laos are now blossoming, making some of those more intrepid trips seem tenable. Let's face it, after a day's trekking, who wants to sleep on a mat when you can be swallowed in Egyptian linen and goose feathers? Where better to escape to than a land of chic hotels, quirky guesthouses and cuisine that might have been swept off a Parisian table for a tenth of the price?
Beautiful Boutique Hotels
Inthira Hotel, Rue Annou, Thakhek: Converting a couple of colonial-era trading houses, Inthira has created the most fashionable haunt in town, the centrepiece of which is its New York-style bar and restaurant. Well placed too, with a street cafe opposite the handicraft night market.
Hotel Beau Rivage, Fa Gnum Rd, Vientiane:The place to stay for sophistication and escapism combined. Its fabulously bespoke rooms - decked in oriental screens, exposed brick and terrazzo floors - are beautiful, with riverside views and a sanctuary out back that is great for reading.
Three Nagas by Alila, Sakkaline Rd, Luang Prabang: With its wood-blade fans, elegant bar and ambient-lit restaurant, Three Nagas by Alila has long been the first word in style. The larger suites nearest the river are divinely chic with swallow-you-up four posters and Bedouin-style mosquito nets.
Shopping in Vientiane
In Laos' sleepy capital, even locals refer to the market off Rue Mahosot as the Morning Market though, in fact, it's open all day. Start here anyway, like diving in the deep end. Clean but rather toasty, the rows and rows of silk weavings are enough to drive even an aficionado dizzy.
Mixay Boutique, 053/55 Nokeokoummane Street, Ban Mixay: Stop by for adorable stuffed elephants and monkeys covered in Day-Glo antique textiles that little ones will love, plus easy-to-pack silk sleeping bags that make the perfect gift for the adventurous traveller who likes a little luxury.
Camacrafts, Nokeokoummane Street, Ban Mixay: The founder, Kommaly Chanthavong was nominated for a 2005 Nobel Prize for creating silk weaving opportunities in this struggling country, but the high quality items would be worth buying even without this tender tale. House wares abound, from simple potholders to festive holiday ornaments shaped like candy canes, but the most charming items are baby bibs that come in the shape of elephants, penguins and cuddly bunnies.
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I was nicely surprised first time I visited Vientiane. It is really great place with proper infrastructure, nice and clean hotels, quality restaurants and it is very cheap.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Laos 3 times. First time, my hotel was located in downtown near Patuxay. After that I decided to stay in the tourist area near Mekong river. There are many top level hotels and places for shopping. Also there are morning and night markets for handcrafts made in Laos.
ReplyDeleteOne tip from me related to boutique hotels in Laos. The best option is to book standard room and not a delux one, first it is cheaper, it offer the same amenities and extras excepts the view and room side.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can't really say that you will find any luxurious hotels in Laos, if you have ever been to Asia, probably you already know, that at most places, cleaning is not up to standard, usually furniture is old and definitely there are problems with internet connection.
ReplyDeleteI have a good experience in Laos, one think about the country is that everything is so cheap and actually services are at very good level.
ReplyDeleteLaos is very nice, cheap, clean and people are very polite and nice. I have been there more than 5 times and I love it.
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