La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang

Deep in the heart of northern Laos, along the banks of the Mekong, is the old royal capital of Luang Prabang, one of the better places in Southeast Asia if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and the bright lights of the established tourist destinations. And roughly two kilometers outside of town is Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao, a French colonial classic with sweeping views of the forested mountains surrounding this photogenic town.

It’s been updated since its previous life as the Pansea hotel, but not updated too much — despite a fresh coat of paint and a certain paring down of the décor, plenty of the original colonial charm of the place shines through. With just thirty-four rooms and suites it’s intimate by nature, an effect intensified by the lush green of the gardens and the twists and turns of the historic property.

Each room features a private terrace or balcony, complete with day beds and views of the gardens or the mountains, as well as luxurious oversized terrazzo baths. As for facilities there’s not much more than a pool, a spa, and a cocktail lounge and restaurant serving upscale Laotian and European fare — which, actually, might be all you need for this kind of elegant escape.