Cambodia Hotels | Thailand Hotels | Laos Hotels | Vietnam Hotels

Signature Hotels

After living and playing in Southeast Asia for the last 6 years we have had many hotel experiences. We have been lucky enough to stay in some amazing properties and we have definitely have had some less than appealing places…web sites can be deceiving!

I have done hotel inspections in every country, in every city we go to and we have found some hotels that we feel embody the spirit of Journeys Within. Our Signature Hotels are in all price ranges and in all countries, they are the places that when we travel we like to stay. We feel these hotels give a little more than is necessary. We consider them our partners in making each trip we run special and memorable. We have stayed in all of our Signature Hotels and we have included reviews from other tour consultants as well as from guests so you can get a real sense of each property.

Our rating system is described below, my good friend Dawn Johnson once warned me that it was a “socks on” hotel and I loved the mental image and expanded on her clever description. We are still compiling our years of experience into hotel reviews and will be completing this page very soon!

We will also continue updating the reviews, pictures and comments so you have the most recent information to review. In the meantime, if you have any questions about any of the hotels we have listed, but we haven't gotten to the review - email or call us. We will be happy to share our experiences with you personally.

Cambodia Hotels

Journeys Within B&B and Bungalows
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Of course this is one of our Signature Hotels, in fact it is THE signature hotel! Started by Brandon and Andrea is 2003 Journeys Within started as simple rooms in the main house, but in 2005 new bungalows were added and a beautiful pool as well. The true beauty of Journeys Within…beyond the crystal clear pool, unique showers, delicious food and lovely landscaping…are the staff. Genuine, kind and fun, the Journeys Within team from cooks to guides, are what make the stay such an amazing experience and are the highlight of any stay. One aspect guests appreciate is the dedication to the local community. Journeys Within B&B and Bungalows partners with Journeys Within Our Community and guests are invited to be involved in the projects.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: The service and the experience of being at a hotel that truly cares about the community. Being able to talk to westerners living in the country.
Downside: A little ways out of town so you can’t walk to restaurants or shopping.
Insider Tip: Ask Sela his life story and ask Brandon or Jesse for a tour of the JWOC projects. And for an afternoon snack request the caramel corn.

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Amanjaya
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

My favorite hotel in Phnom Penh, Amanjaya is a wonderful oasis located on the banks of the Mekong River, walking distance to restaurants and shopping. All the rooms are spacious and have balconies overlooking the street and the river – my highlight stay was during the water festival when we sat on the balcony watching a million people celebrate below and the boats race by on the river. The staff at Amanjaya are wonderfully trained and highly professional, but they have great smiles and a real desire to please. They remember guests names and are a wonderful example of how a boutique hotel should be run.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: Location is fantastic and the very well run
Downside: Only has double beds and no pool or fitness center

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Hotel de la Paix
Siem Reap, Cambodia

We watched this hotel get built in Siem Reap and then saw the excellent results that followed, from our guests included. This year we spent our anniversary here and really enjoyed it. The location is fantastic right downtown, with the plus of that being the rooms are amazingly sound proofed so despite the town just below you, you wouldn't know it from the room. The rooms are a nice size, simple in décor and the beds are lovely. The pool is a highlight, with an amazing design that makes it usable in the rain and shine…a real plus in Cambodia. We had dinner at their restaurant and it was excellent with delicious food and a nice atmosphere. Breakfast was also good with a big selection menu as well as a buffet. We especially like this hotel as they are very socially conscious and do a lot for the community as well as treat their staff very well.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: The location is great and they do a lot of good in the community
Downside: The hotel is a bit pricey and the spa is as well, especially when you can pay $5 across the road!
Insider Tip: There is a dance performance put on by the hotel free of charge, get there early to get a good seat. If you want to have dinner after make sure to make reservations for dinner, it fills up. The spa, though expensive, has a steam room that is free for guests, first come first serve.

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Pavillon d’Orient
Cambodia

First I have to apologize, I am supposed to have my finger on the pulse, but this little gem of a hotel managed to allude me for over a year! However, last Monday night Brandon and I had a nice little rendezvous as we checked it out.

First things first, it is located in a pretty out of the way place which is why I think I had never noticed it in my wanderings. It is off road number six, but well past Psah Lure and on the back road to the temple. The bad news is that it is a longer drive to get into town. The good news is that the hotel knows this and to make it a little easier they offer complimentary tuk tuk’s from their hotel to town from 6 to 10pm. So really, how can you complain when you can get a free ride?

The distance to town is really the only drawback to this hotel, otherwise it is just fantastic! With beautiful gardens that evoke the same oasis quality we are often getting recognized for, the Pavillon feels like a lovely escape as soon as you walk through the front gate. The lobby is open air, and while I do wonder how they handle the rainy season, this time of year it feels cool and serene. The staff were lovely and polite and seemed genuinely happy to be working there. When asked about her boss, the front desk woman went on and on about how hard he works and what a good job he does. I think staff loyalty says a lot about a place and they were obviously fans of the manager.

The rooms are big with a French feel. The bathrooms have showers and bathtubs and all the rooms have a balcony. The pool is nestled in the gardens and has a lovely waterfall you can hear from the balconies. When I first arrived there was a rather rowdy volleyball game happening across the wall and while I’m all for local ambience it proved to be a bit much for even me, but with the doors closed the noise was shut out and peace and quiet ranged.

We had dinner in the restaurant that night and the food was very good, another plus when you’re a little ways from town…just stay in! I had the spaghetti and other had friend rice, curry and ginger chicken, all enjoyed. Breakfast the next morning was also good, though a touch French for me :-). I did get some bacon though so I was happy!

The final touch was when we checked out we got small necklaces with our Chinese symbol on it. All in all it was a great escape and I am looking forward to having our guests stay.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: The big airy rooms and the huge bathrooms as well as the personalized service.
Downside: On the other side of town and no restaurants or shopping nearby.
Insider Tip: Tuk tuk’s are free from 6 to 10pm so go in for a night on the town on them. Café Indochine is under the same owner. So you get a 10% discount if you eat there!

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Vietnam Hotels

Sofitel Metropole
Hanoi, Vietnam

There are definitely some cities where it is worth upgrading and Hanoi is just such a place. There is a big jump here from the three and four star hotels to the five-star. The other reason to upgrade in this city, the Sofitel Metropole. As you enter the lobby, you are transported back in time to a colonial era of high opulence and even higher service. Everything in the Metropole is flawless from the beautiful colonial phones, to the perfectly presented staff, to the imported flower arrangements. The hotel has two wings, the Opera Wing and the Historic Wing. Again, it's worth the upgrade to the historic wing with its hardwood floors and classic elegance. All of this comes at a price, but it also is an experience in itself and it's always fun to be spoiled. reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Rating: Everything Off
Upside: It’s perfect.
Downside: You have to pay for perfection.
Insider Tip: The concierge can get reservations for all the best restaurants!

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Zephyr Hotel
Hanoi, Vietnam

While I do rave about the five-star hotels in this city, I also know the value of value-for-money. When I look for a good value hotel I have to keep certain things in mind: cleanliness, service, location and safety. The Zephyr meets all these requirements. Though the carpets and sheets are not new, they are clean, as is the rest of the hotel. The staff are lovely and eager to please and the real feather in its conical hat is that it is literally around the corner from Hoan Kiem Lake and, more importantly, Fanny's ice cream! Right in the heart of the Old Quarter, this hotel is a great place to get a simple nights sleep when you're real goal is to get out and explore.

Rating: Socks On
Upside: Location! Location! Location!
Downside: The rooms are nothing special, but they work for sleeping.
Insider Tip: Fanny's Ice Cream shop is right around the corner (yummy!). Make sure to ask for a room with a window. If your room is not up to par, be sure to ask for a different room and they will happily move you.

Reviewed by: Andrea Ross

Laos Hotels

La Résidence Phou Vao, An Orient Express Hotel

To put it simply, this hotel is the best of the best. Phou Vao combines Western standards of service and quality with Eastern charm and serenity. Every room feels like a suite, each accented with elegant Asian décor, a private balcony and a stunning view. It doesn't get much better than a day spent relaxing at the infinity pool or an evening dining on the candlelit patio that overlooks the town below. The staff puts great care into every task, no matter how small, and it's the attention to these minor details that puts Phou Vao a step above the other luxury hotels in town.

Rating: Everything Off
Upside: It's the best hotel in town.
Downside: Everyone knows it.
Insider Tip: The Spa has a private swimming pool for guests who book a treatment.

Reviewed by: Kristina Ensminger

Maison Souvannaphoum

Once the residence of Prince Souvannaphouma, this hotel blends French colonial architecture with chic, contemporary design. Since Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most upscale hotels are located outside of town in order to offer modern luxuries like swimming pools. Maison Souvannaphoum is the exception to the rule, equipped with a swimming pool and television sets, this is the only hotel of its kind in the town center. It has a fantastic Angsana Spa and the gift shop in the lobby is filled with unique handicrafts commissioned by the hotel and purchased directly from the artisans to support local business.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: It's the best combination of location and luxury in town.
Downside: The flip side to a prime location is the din that accompanies it.
Insider Tip: Book the Maison, Laos, or Champa room (all former bedrooms of the royal family) and receive a special welcome package reserved for Journeys Within guests.

Reviewed by: Kristina Ensminger

Chanthavinh Resort

One of Luang Prabang's newest hotels, Chanthavinh has more than just the standard "Mekong view"—it's about as close as you can get to the river without falling in. It has a charming collection of stilted teak bungalows set on the right bank of the Mekong, across the river from town. The management is very attentive and a pier is being built to make the boat ride to town more convenient for guests. The riverside restaurant and swimming pool have gorgeous views, but the gardens and surrounding jungle are definitely the highlights.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: A secluded escape from city life and complete immersion in the sounds and sights of nature.
Downside: Town is a boat ride away.
Insider Tip: The pottery village, Ban Chan, is a short walk from the resort.

Reviewed by: Kristina Ensminger

Maison Souvannaphoum

Once the residence of Prince Souvannaphouma, this hotel blends French colonial architecture with chic, contemporary design. Since Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most upscale hotels are located outside of town in order to offer modern luxuries like swimming pools. Maison Souvannaphoum is the exception to the rule, equipped with a swimming pool and television sets, this is the only hotel of its kind in the town center. It has a fantastic Angsana Spa and the gift shop in the lobby is filled with unique handicrafts commissioned by the hotel and purchased directly from the artisans to support local business.

Rating: Socks Off
Upside: It's the best combination of location and luxury in town.
Downside: The flip side to a prime location is the din that accompanies it.
Insider Tip: Book the Maison, Laos, or Champa room (all former bedrooms of the royal family) and receive a special welcome package reserved for Journeys Within guests.

Reviewed by: Kristina Ensminger

More of Our Favorite Hotels

Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Amanjaya Pancam Hotel – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Pavilion – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Jasmine Hotel – Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sokha Beach – Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sofitel Silom – Bangkok, Thailand

Silom Serene – Bangkok, Thailand

Centre Point Silom – Bangkok, Thailand

Kata Beach Resort – Phuket, Thailand

Kata Thani Beach Resort – Phuket, Thailand

Yaang Come Village – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pam’s Bed & Breakfast, “The Nest” – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Fern Resort – Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Les 3 Nagas – Luang Prabang, Laos

Green Park Boutique Hotel – Vientiane, Laos

Sofitel Metropole – Hanoi, Vietnam

Thang Long Opera Hotel – Hanoi, Vietnam

Victoria Sapa Resort – Sapa, Vietnam

Pilgrimage Village – Hue, Vietnam

Hoian Riverside Resort & Spa – Hoian, Vietnam

Hoian Hotel, Hoian, Vietnam

Victoria Hoian Beach Resort & Spa - Hoian, Vietnam

Majestic Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Park Hyatt Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam