Best Luxury Hotels in Vientiane, Laos 2026
Pha That Luang, the national symbol of Laos, in Vientiane.
For character, book the colonial-era Settha Palace Hotel; for modern five-star comfort and an infinity pool, the Crowne Plaza Vientiane; for Mekong views and resort-style grounds, the Landmark Mekong Riverside. Stay in the Chanthabouly riverside area, plan two nights, and visit between November and February.
Vientiane is one of the most relaxed capitals in Southeast Asia: a low-rise city of gilded temples, French colonial villas and riverside walks along the Mekong that feels more like a provincial town than a national capital. Luxury travellers usually pass through on the way to Luang Prabang, as part of a longer Indochina trip or on a visa run from Thailand, but it is worth more than a quick stop.
This page covers luxury and upscale hotels for travellers spending one to three nights in Vientiane as part of a longer trip through Laos or Southeast Asia. It compares the best hotels, explains which area to stay in and suggests how to use a short visit, including the new high-speed train to Luang Prabang.
Where to Stay in Vientiane
Almost everything visitors want to see lies within a compact area of the Chanthabouly district, between the Mekong riverfront and Patuxai, the city’s victory monument. Staying here means most temples, cafés and restaurants are walkable or a short tuk-tuk ride away.
- Riverside (Fa Ngum Road): Mekong sunsets, the night market and lots of restaurants. A good choice for a first visit.
- Old centre (Nam Phu fountain area): colonial buildings, cafés and boutique hotels, walking distance to Wat Si Saket and Haw Phra Kaew.
- East along the river: larger resort-style properties with gardens and pools, a short drive from the centre.
- Near Wattay Airport: only worth it for very early flights, since the airport is just 15 to 20 minutes from the centre.
The Best Luxury Hotels in Vientiane
Vientiane has fewer international five-star brands than Bangkok or Hanoi, but its best hotels are good value and some have real historic character.
1. Settha Palace Hotel
Settha Palace is the city’s most atmospheric hotel, in a restored French colonial mansion with high ceilings, period furniture and a pool in tropical gardens. It feels more like a private home than a hotel and is the best choice for travellers who care about history and character. Some reviewers find the rooms old-fashioned rather than modern, so it suits heritage lovers more than design fans.
2. Crowne Plaza Vientiane
A modern five-star in central Chanthabouly, with Lao design details, a spa and a popular outdoor infinity pool and bar. Guest reviews are consistently strong, which makes it the safest choice if you want international standards in an easy central location.
3. Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel
A large five-star on the Mekong just east of the centre, with nearly 190 rooms, a spa, a big pool and a poolside bar for sunset drinks. It feels more like a resort than the city-centre hotels, which suits families and longer stays, but you will need a short drive to reach the old centre.
4. Lao Plaza Hotel
One of Vientiane’s long-established grand hotels, in the centre, with several restaurants and a pool. A reliable, business-friendly choice that you can walk almost everywhere from.
5. Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane
This modern tower belongs to a large Vietnamese hotel group and has spacious rooms, a pool and good prices, for travellers who care more about space and cost than character.
6. Don Chan Palace
A well-known high-rise on the riverfront with wide Mekong views from the upper floors and large event spaces. It is best if you want a view and a pool at a moderate price.
Vientiane Luxury Hotels Compared
The comparison below can help you match a hotel to what matters to you.
| Hotel | Style | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settha Palace Hotel | Colonial heritage boutique | Central, near Lao Plaza | History lovers, couples |
| Crowne Plaza Vientiane | Modern five-star | Central Chanthabouly | Reliable international comfort |
| Landmark Mekong Riverside | Resort-style five-star | Riverside, east of centre | Families, pool time, sunsets |
| Lao Plaza Hotel | Classic grand hotel | Central | Business travellers, walkability |
| Muong Thanh Luxury | Modern tower | Central-east | Value and room size |
| Don Chan Palace | Riverside high-rise | Riverfront | Mekong views on a budget |
Prices in Vientiane are low for the region, so a suite or a higher room category is often worth it. Read recent reviews before booking, because renovated and older wings can differ a lot.
How to Choose the Right Vientiane Hotel
Most visitors spend only one to three nights here, so the right hotel depends less on facilities and more on how you will spend your time. Before booking, decide whether you want to walk to temples and restaurants, how much time you will spend at the pool and whether you prefer character or modern comfort.
Couples on a short cultural stop usually get the most from a central heritage hotel such as Settha Palace, where the building is part of the experience. Families, and anyone visiting in the hot season (March to May), tend to prefer the bigger pools and gardens at the Landmark Mekong Riverside or the Crowne Plaza, which help in the midday heat. Business travellers and anyone catching an early train to Luang Prabang will like the Lao Plaza or Crowne Plaza for quick access to the station road and the airport.
- Walk everywhere: Settha Palace, Crowne Plaza or Lao Plaza.
- Pool and relaxation: Landmark Mekong Riverside or Crowne Plaza.
- River views: Landmark Mekong Riverside or upper floors of Don Chan Palace.
- Best value for space: Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane.
- Ask for: a renovated room, a quiet side away from the street and late check-out on the day of your train.
Top Things to Do in Vientiane in 48 Hours
Two days is enough to see the essentials at a relaxed pace.
- Pha That Luang: the gilded stupa that is the national symbol of Laos. Go early in the morning for soft light and few people.
- Wat Si Saket: one of the city’s oldest surviving temples, famous for thousands of small Buddha images lining its cloister walls.
- Haw Phra Kaew: a former royal temple, now a museum of religious art, opposite Wat Si Saket.
- Patuxai: climb the victory monument for views over the city.
- COPE Visitor Centre: a powerful exhibition on unexploded bombs in Laos and the rehabilitation work of COPE.
- Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan): an odd, fascinating garden of concrete Buddhist and Hindu sculptures by the Mekong, about 25 km south-east of the centre.
- Mekong sunset: walk the riverside promenade and night market, then have dinner at a French or Lao restaurant.
Dining and Spa Highlights
You can see Vientiane’s French past in its bakeries, cafés and bistros, and the restaurants are better than you might expect for a city this size. Try Lao dishes such as larb (minced meat salad with herbs and toasted rice), tam mak hoong (spicy green papaya salad) and sticky rice, and French food that is often very good value. Many restaurants are on the streets between Nam Phu fountain and the river.
Traditional Lao herbal saunas and massages are a highlight. Temple herbal saunas give you a local experience, and the spas at the Crowne Plaza and Landmark offer a more polished version. A massage after a hot morning of temples is one of the best things to do in the city.
Getting There and Onward Travel
Wattay International Airport has flights from Bangkok, Hanoi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and several Chinese cities. Overland, the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge links Vientiane with Nong Khai in Thailand, and rail services now cross the border, making Bangkok to Vientiane by train a realistic option.
The biggest change for travellers is the Laos-China Railway, which opened in December 2021. Fast trains reach Vang Vieng in about an hour and Luang Prabang in about two hours, instead of a long, winding drive. Tickets sell out at busy times, so book ahead. Many nationalities can apply for an official e-Visa at laoevisa.gov.la or get a visa on arrival; check the current rules for your passport.
Continue north with our guides to luxury hotels in Luang Prabang and luxury resorts in Vang Vieng, or explore a luxury Mekong river cruise. Luang Prabang’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time to Visit Vientiane
The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable time, with sunny days and pleasant evenings. March to May is very hot, with temperatures often well above 35°C. The rainy season, roughly May to October, brings heavy afternoon showers but also green landscapes and lower hotel rates.
Festivals matter too. Boun That Luang, usually in November, fills the city with processions around the great stupa, and Lao New Year (Pi Mai) in mid-April brings water fights across the city. Both are fun to see but crowded, so book hotels early.
Key Takeaways
- Settha Palace is best for historic character, Crowne Plaza for dependable modern five-star comfort and Landmark Mekong Riverside for resort-style space and sunsets.
- Stay in central Chanthabouly near the river to walk to most sights.
- Two nights is enough to see Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, COPE and the Mekong riverfront.
- Use the Laos-China Railway to reach Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang quickly; book tickets ahead.
- November to February is the most comfortable time to visit.
Check Hotel Prices and Availability
Rates in Vientiane, Laos move a lot with season and holidays, so it is worth comparing live prices before you lock in dates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luxury hotel in Vientiane?
Settha Palace Hotel is the most characterful luxury stay, in a restored French colonial mansion. Crowne Plaza Vientiane is the best choice for modern five-star comfort, and Landmark Mekong Riverside is best for resort-style grounds and river views.
Which area is best to stay in Vientiane?
The Chanthabouly district between the Mekong riverfront and Patuxai is best, as most temples, restaurants and the night market are within walking distance.
How many days do you need in Vientiane?
One to two full days is enough for the main sights, including Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, Haw Phra Kaew, Patuxai, COPE and Buddha Park.
How do you get from Vientiane to Luang Prabang?
The fastest option is the Laos-China Railway, which takes around two hours. There are also short domestic flights. Book train tickets in advance during busy periods.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane?
November to February offers cool, dry weather. March to May is very hot, and May to October is the rainy season with lower hotel rates.
Final Thoughts
Vientiane is a quiet capital, but with the right hotel it is an enjoyable stop. Choose Settha Palace for atmosphere, the Crowne Plaza for polished comfort or the Landmark for river views and space, and spend your days among the temples, cafés and the Mekong riverfront.
Combine two nights here with Luang Prabang by high-speed train for a relaxed luxury route through Laos. For neighbouring countries, see our luxury hotels in Siem Reap.
About the Author
This guide was researched by the LuxStay editorial team, which covers luxury island and Southeast Asia stays and updates guides regularly with on-the-ground verification.
Prices and policies change; confirm details directly with each property or operator before booking.