Luxury Laos - The Best Boutique Hotels

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3095146

Benefits of Online Booking Hotels

Most people across the world plan to visit London to spend a good holiday vacation. However, many refrain themselves for the fear of burning a hole in the pocket due to the exorbitant charges of top grade London hotels. One also needs to pay huge commissions to the travel agent. The solution to all these problems lies in online booking hotels.

Many hotels in London have their own websites that help a person to choose the particular types of rooms he likes. He can also have a virtual tour of the hotel rooms and its surroundings. One can compare the prices and facilities offered by different hotels and make reservation according to his budget. He does not need to walk miles to find a reliable travel agent any more. He can view the services and tariff offered by different hotels with just a click of the mouse from the comfort of his home. Based on specific preferences and budget, one can have an efficient and convenient solution to decide on the type of hotel he wants to book. Thanks to facility of online booking hotels, one does not have to go through the tiresome traditional process any more, that included writing or telephoning to the hotel and waiting for weeks or even months to get confirmation of booking. Nowadays, a person can make instant reservation by paying online through his debit or credit card. This method is much more faster and efficient. Moreover, the amenities and services offered by the hotel, location, pictures of rooms and many more are readily available in the website. One can also go through the feedback and reviews posted by different people who have already stayed in that hotel.

While booking online, one can also avail London hotel discounts. If a person opts for the last minute booking, he may get attractive rebates, because normally no hotel wants any of its room to go vacant. Hence, these hotels offer huge discounts to fill up the rooms at the last moment. Also, if a person visit London during the off-season, he will be able to get attractive deals. However, one should not wait for making the reservation of rooms at the last minute, because if it is a family trip then he will not be able to get much choices in selecting the rooms. Another advantage of online booking is that the websites also allow the hotels to implement full cancellation feature. Hence, one does not need to pay anything extra to the travel agent and save more.

There are many websites run by travel agents also. One can make reservations through these websites also and avail London hotel discounts. On the behalf of the customers, the agents negotiate with the hotels for discounts. This is because they want to attract customers to make reservation through their sites only. The customer on the other hand, enjoys this facility to save more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5714561