River Resort Champasak

The Riverside Sala is the place to go for a menu of western and local dishes, accompanied by the sounds of the river burbling by your side. It can get pretty humid in this part of the world, but the River Resort offers not one, but two infinity pools to lounge by and keep the heat at bay - those views don't hurt either. Other than that, there's a small spa offering delightful massages, and the resort's private rice paddies and parklands are perfect for a wander.

The River Resort has 22 river-view rooms and 6 gardens rooms, giving you the choice of waking up to sunrise over the water, or birdsong and the beautiful foliage. We'd take either! In a nod to sustainably, much of the furniture is locally-made using bamboo and the throws and blankets are all woven in a neighbouring village. All rooms enjoy ensuite bathrooms (and a choice of indoor and outdoor showers), air-con and ceiling fans, WiFi, minibars, and room service.

Both Champasak and the River Resort have plenty to keep you busy. At the hotel, stroll through the pristinely preserved parklands, take to the river in a boat or kayak and participate in traditional ceremonies, or just take it easy with a massage and an afternoon lounge by one of the two infinity pools. Further afield, there are UNESCO World Heritage sites to be be discovered (the Wat Phou temple is the highlight of the region), and plenty of cycling and walking routes that can take anything from an hour to most of the day.