World Heritage–listed Luang Prabang is anything but frenzied, yet this 24-room hillside retreat just outside town nonetheless feels like a refuge.

Why you’ll want to go: Whether looking or a quiet abode or exploring the many ancient temples that dot the region, Kiridara, located just a few minutes away from the city center, provides its guests access to the soul of Luang Prabang.

Rooms: Finished in stone and polished wood, the spacious guest quarters open onto balconies or private gardens that look out to the city’s most famous Buddhist site, Mount Phou Si.

What you can do: Away from the hotel, the many excursions include tours of the many wats within the region, a trek along the national park, a visit to a nearby cave or the Elephant Village. When staying in, one will find good Western and Lao fare available at Kiridara’s sole restaurant, while the infinity pool above makes an ideal perch for sipping lychee martinis. Farther up the hill is a spa where expertly trained therapists perform locally inspired treatments like the Nuat Bouhan, which combines traditional Lao massage with Thai stretching, shiatsu, and acupressure.

For more information, visit Kiridara.