The Apsara Rive Droite

That’s the rive droite of Laos’s Nam Khan, not the Seine — but the Apsara Rive Droite is hardly less French than it would have been if it were in Paris. Sister hotel to the original Apsara, in Luang Prabang proper, it’s a contemporary homage to the colonial era, a nine-room luxury resort that makes the most of the added degree of seclusion it earns from its right-bank setting.

It’s ever so slightly more high-end than its sister hotel, with generously sized rooms and even a lovely little swimming pool, something you won’t find on the other side of the river. There’s a restaurant and bar that’s more than up to the task of serving as the hotel’s social nexus, and delivering a tasty Lao bite and a cocktail in the process.

There’s a little ferryboat to shuttle guests across the river and back, placing you within walking distance of the temples, and you can borrow a bike if you’d like to venture even farther afield. Dinner at the original Apsara is a fine change of pace. And if you haven’t done your homework on excursions and tours, leave it to the staff — they’re well-trained, knowledgeable, and eager to please.