Riverside Boutique Resort – The elegant, colonial-styled riverside hideaway
Ideally situated on the banks of the Nam Song River, the genteel and refined Riverside Boutique Hotel is one of the most desirable places to stay in Vang Vieng. A tranquil, low-rise resort, it lives up to its name, with just 34 rooms and suites, all set amongst well-tended gardens, with the meandering river, lush green fields, and dramatic mountains on the far side forming a spectacular backdrop.
Vang Vieng – once a party town on the backpacker trail – has transformed itself in recent years into a much more sedate and upscale eco-tourism destination. Heaven for outdoor enthusiasts, there are turquoise-hued lagoons and mysterious caves to explore, sheer limestone cliffs to climb, emerald paddy fields and tiny villages to tour and, of course, the river where one can spend days afloat. After a day of adventure and activity, the serenity of the resort could not be more conducive to relaxation. Spacious rooms and suites are a calming blend of French colonial architecture and understated ethnic design. Solid wood king-size beds and elegant wicker furniture stand on gleaming tiled floors, enhanced by textiles and artefacts from the region’s different ethnic groups.
There is no better place to lie back and relax than by the shimmering pool. Flanked on three sides by cushioned sun loungers and parasols, leaving the fourth side open to the views, it is the centrepiece of the resort. Should you need a helping hand to unwind, however, make your way over to the Riverside Sala Spa where you can choose from an extensive menu of traditional Lao therapies combined with modern Western techniques, guaranteed to cleanse, de-stress and invigorate.
