Agoda.com Showcases Great Hotels in Crumbling, Beautiful, Vientiane
Singapore (PRWEB) July 03, 2013 -- Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), is showcasing a handful of beautiful hotels in the Laotian capital of Vientiane, one of the most fascinating capital cities in Asia and one that is slowly being transformed from a crumbling capital into the country’s first real hub of travel and industry.
First emerging as an important settlement in the mid 1300’s, Vientiane’s fortunes rose and fell with various kingdoms and the many tumultuous battles that were fought across the region. The Siamese (now Thai), captured Vientiane in 1779 but it was burned to the ground in an 1827 rebellion and essentially abandoned to the jungle.
However, when French Indochina added Laos to their territory after the Franco-Siamese War in 1893, the city benefited from a surge of new construction and renovation of damaged temples. The population grew throughout the 20th century, and the country declared independence in 1953. In 1975 the Pathet Lao party overthrew the royalist government, and remains in power today as the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, with Vientiane as the administrative capital.
While change in Vientiane has been slow over the past several decades, the last ten years have seen increasingly speedy development, with economic growth in 2012 of 8% and the GDP rising from $300 in 2001 to $1,200 in 2011. Of course, tourism is a major industry, and this is one of the best reasons to visit Vientiane. Although expansion is changing the city, its character is still defined by broad, tree-lined streets and gorgeous, crumbling colonial mansions. French pâté, fluffy pastries and rich, Laotian coffee are on offer at every restaurant and café in town, and magnificent temples, statues and other iconic Buddhist symbols are quick reminders that the city is still deeply Asian no matter how much French bread is eaten.
To help visitors appreciate this magnificent city, Agoda.com is presenting a handful of hotels that will make a visit to Vientiane one of the most enjoyable and stress-free outings for any Asian journey. Enjoy the architecture, eat as much as possible, and don’t leave without a full stomach!
Salana Boutique Hotel 4*
Designed to impress even the most discerning guests, this charming boutique hotel is centrally located in Vientiane, placing you in the center of all the hustle and bustle the city has to offer. Offering a wide selection of rooms, ranging from Superior to Salana Suite, all the guestrooms are tastefully designed to provide utmost comfort to all guests.
Rashmi’s Plaza Hotel 5*
The first modernist luxury hotel in Vientiane, Rashmi's Plaza Hotel Vientiane provides great comfort and convenience in the heart of Vientiane. Being centrally located, the hotel is an excellent hub to all cultural and tourist attractions the city has to offer.
Dhavara Boutique Hotel 4*
Centrally located in the heart of the city, Dhavara Boutique Hotel offers a variety of room types with legendary Lao service and gorgeous decorations. The hotel’s private balconies are perfect for observing the early morning bustle of Vientiane and the Mekong River.
Don Chan Palace Hotel & Convention 4*
Don Chan Palace is the first ever international five star hotel in the capital of Laos. It is strategically located along the infamous Mekong River and within easy reach to the city's embassies, main business districts, major cultural sites and ancient temples.
Ansara Hotel 4*
This charming property resides on a quiet lane right in the center of the historical capital of Vientiane, providing easy access to the city’s most popular sights and attractions, and boasts a gentle blend of Lao traditional and Asian contemporary decor.
Mandala Boutique Hotel 3*
Designed for both business and leisure travel, Mandala Boutique Hotel is ideally situated in Near Riverfront; one of the city's most popular locales. Only 1.5 Km from the city center, the hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest.
Lao Golden Hotel 3*
Lao Golden Hotel is strategically located to all of Vientiane’s must-see destinations as well as several local morning markets. Bicycle rental, 24-hr room service, Wi-Fi and express check-in/check-out features will ensure your stay is a pleasant one.
Avilla Phasouk Hotel 3*
Winner of the 2012 Agoda Gold Circle Award, the hotel offers tranquility and luxury in a building designed focus on traditional Lao architecture. The charming Joma Bakery, Bars and Khop Chai Deu, all customer favorites, are just around the corner.
Vientiane Plaza Hotel 4*
Only 1 km from the heart of the city, this 4-star hotel commands an excellent location and provides access to the many of Vientiane’s most popular attractions. Also within easy reach are Centre Culturel et de Coopération Linguistique and That Dam Pagoda.
San Jiang Grand Hotel 4*
Nestled in the heart of Sikhottabong District, San Jiang Grand Hotel is an ideal spot from which to discover Vientiane. Only 3 km from the city center, the hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest.
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Greg Jorgensen, Agoda Company Pte Ltd, http://www.agoda.com, +66 26259200, [email protected]
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