Said to occupy the land formerly the residence of a "poet of distinction," Vientiane's latest boutique hotel brims with retro color. 

Nestled in the tourist heart of the Laotian capital, Lao Poet Hotel takes its design cues from 1930s Indochine style: vintage velvet furniture; rich tones of burgundy, maroon and green; and walls lined with tropical prints and paintings.

The 55 rooms offer three types of accommodation—urban classic (27 sq meters), urban deluxe (30 sq meters) and poet suite (which takes up to four people, 60 sq meters)—all of which come with city views and bathtubs, with prices starting at B4,154 a night. 

You'll want to head upstairs to the rooftop deck, where a poolside restaurant serves up herb-laden Laotian dishes along with cocktails amid a retrofied space. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make for one airy interior, perfect for sundowners with sweeping views of the languorous Mekong River.