Amari Vang Vieng
by the TopOfHotel team
Amari Vang Vieng is the known-quantity 4-star — the same ONYX standards Thai travellers know from Bangkok and Pattaya, dropped onto the Nam Song with a pool, a 24-hour gym and an 8.8/10.
Amari Vang Vieng is the known-quantity 4-star — the same ONYX standards Thai travellers know from Bangkok and Pattaya, dropped onto the Nam Song with a pool, a 24-hour gym and an 8.8/10.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Amari Vang Vieng is the kind of place you book when you want a known quantity — the same Amari standard you'd get in Bangkok or Pattaya, only set on the Nam Song under the karst mountains. The rooms run larger than the boutique hotels in town and lean modern and easy on the eye, with a big King bed, a roomy tiled bathroom and free Wi-Fi. The Deluxe River View is worth the step up — it looks straight onto the limestone peaks and the river. Guests tend to sum it up as clean and current, the familiar Amari standard.
Food and amenities
The outdoor pool faces the karst mountains and runs bigger than the one at Riverside Boutique, and the gym stays open 24 hours with a full set of equipment. There are 2 restaurants: the main one does the breakfast buffet and serves Thai and international plates at lunch and dinner, and there's a Lobby Lounge for afternoon tea. A small spa handles traditional Lao massage. The concierge sorts the rest — Blue Lagoon trips, the hot-air balloon, kayaking, and train tickets to Vientiane or Luang Prabang.
Location and getting there
It sits right on the Nam Song in central Vang Vieng, with the mountains clear from the rooms and the pool, and the Night Market and town restaurants a few minutes' walk away. The China-Laos Railway station is about 6 km out and is the fastest, easiest way in — 1 hour to Vientiane, 2 hours to Luang Prabang. Blue Lagoon 1 and Tham Phu Kham cave are roughly 7 km away, and the hotel arranges a tuk-tuk or a full tour.
Things to know before booking
This is a chain build, so it's polished but doesn't carry the boutique character of Riverside. Rates start around $80 a night, the second-highest in Vang Vieng. And it books out in high season — reserve early if you want a river-view room.
Our take
If you value a predictable, reliable stay over local character, Amari is the easy call in Vang Vieng — a real 4-star with a pool, a 24-hour gym, two restaurants and Thai food on the buffet, all on the river at 8.8/10. Spring for the river view, sign in to ONYX Rewards for the upgrade, and you've got a comfortable base for the Blue Lagoon and the balloon.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- It runs under the Amari brand from Thailand's ONYX Hospitality group, so you know the standard before you arrive — the same hotel feel Thai travellers get in Bangkok or Pattaya.
- Sits directly on the Nam Song, with the karst mountains visible from the rooms and the pool.
- A large outdoor pool and a gym that stays open 24 hours — more facilities than most places in town.
- Two restaurants on site, covering Lao and international food, plus a Lobby Lounge for afternoon tea.
- The free breakfast buffet is solid and includes Thai dishes, which is a relief if you've had your fill of Lao food.
- It's a modern chain build, so it misses the boutique character that makes Riverside feel special.
- Rates start around $80 a night, the second-highest in Vang Vieng after the Riverside flagship.
- It fills up in high season — book early or you'll miss the river-view rooms.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Vang Vieng
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Vang Vieng — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in Vang ViengAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- If you're an ONYX Rewards member, sign in at booking — late checkout and room upgrades come through often.
- Pay up for a Deluxe River View room; the karst-mountain and Nam Song view is worth the difference.
- Eat at least one meal in the main restaurant — it serves Thai food, a good change of pace from the Lao places in town.