Northern Laos
This palatially sized hotel has a mix of rooms; some are dark and uninviting while those facing the river are full of light and have a communal balcony…
Must-see hotels in Laos
Northern Laos
Set in a striking wooden building near the district bus station, Amandra has decent rooms with pretty bedside lanterns, satellite TV and hot water. The…
Pakse
Bland but large and immaculate rooms have flat-screen TVs, spiffy white bedspreads and huge porcelain sinks. The riverfront location is the main selling…
Nong Khiaw
This family-run spot sits in splendid isolation on the west bank and has wooden bungalows with rattan walls, mozzie nets, clean linen and balconies,…
Southern Laos
Don Kho is a great place to experience a village homestay. Just turn up on the island and say 'homestay' and the villagers will sort you out. Meals are…
Northern Laos
Although perhaps showing their age on the outside, these river-facing rattan-and-tin A-frame cabanas have pleasant rooms inside, with en suites and back…
Northern Laos
Once Muang Khua's top address, the Sernalli has a facade that suggests a certain neocolonial elegance and the often unlit, deserted small lobby is full of…
Northern Laos
Tangerine-coloured Maly may be a 15-minute walk (or 20,000K in a tuk-tuk) to the town centre, but it has a certain decaying charm with its wooden beams…
Northern Laos
Colourful furnishings stand out against the concrete floors of this otherwise bare-bones hostel with a couple of four-berth dorms. The rooms are as clean…
Northern Laos
Overlooking the river from a pretty garden abuzz with butterflies, these seven house-proud cabanas are made of wood and stone and have en suites and…
Northern Laos
Udomxai's best guesthouse is set back from the road in a handsome Lao house with large, inviting rooms. They come with crisp linen, decent fittings,…
Luang Prabang
Close to the night market, this pair of traditionally styled wooden houses has very much the feel of a real home yet all the conveniences of a well-run…
Northern Laos
Located down a quiet street, in the house of a friendly Lao family, rooms here have white walls draped in handicrafts with tiled floors, private bathrooms…
Northern Laos
The most appealing of Vieng Thong's limited options, this guesthouse is located right in the centre of the small town. Very clean, decent-sized rooms have…
Nong Khiaw
Showing their age now, these tightly packed, termite-worn wooden bungalows are the polar opposite of luxury, but have stunning views of the river and…
Pakse
This ageing place really could make something of itself if somebody made the effort. The rooms are dark and the mattresses aren't great, but the rattan…
Northern Laos
Opposite the cave office, these bamboo-accented bungalows are set around a manicured garden backed by an impressive split-toothed crag. Beds are comfy,…
Northern Laos
This place halfway down Main St offers fine riverside accommodation, with five fresh rooms and a six-berth dorm in a newer orange building with a sweeping…
Northern Laos
The owners ensure this cheap and somewhat cheerful place smells fragrant, the sheets and floors are clean, the wi-fi works and the staff are friendly. The…
Northern Laos
Located a couple of kilometres south of the main strip, this is the smartest hotel in town, offering spacious rooms at a competitive price. More expensive…
Pakse
This shiny tower in the heart of the tourist strip gives you a bit more than the best budget hotels – notably brighter, airier rooms – but lacks the…
Pakse
With its riverside position and rickety sun deck shipwrecked over the bank, this friendly house at the end of a lane feels far from the city and has a…
Northern Laos
Built on stilts atop a serene artificial lake with a communal balcony that's perfect for daydreaming. The rooms may be small, with wonky carpeted floors,…
Luang Prabang
This white two-storey colonial-era house has snug rooms with local fabric wall hangings, sparkling floors and slightly dated bathrooms. The palm-shaded…
Northern Laos
Overlooking the Nam Phak, the family-run Sensabai offers mint-coloured rooms with fragrant linen, TV, fan and squat toilet. There's an inviting lobby…
Northern Laos
This is a simple but pleasant spot to stay in the weaving village of Ban Na with its own restaurant and basic rooms with bucolic views. It's roughly a 3km…
Northern Laos
This traveller-friendly place offers clean rooms with bedside lamps, art on the walls, free tea and inviting balconies. There's also a newer block of…
Luang Prabang
This clean and tidy joint off a serene side street is run by a friendly Chinese lady. There's a patio terrace to chill on, and the reception is scattered…
Vang Vieng
This park-like compound, opposite Tham Jang, sits in a peaceful spot by the river. Given its unique location off the main drag, a few kilometres north of …
Northern Laos
Gateway Villa has tastefully furnished rooms with hardwood floors, wicker chairs, TVs and comfy beds. Some rooms are more sophisticated than others and…
Northern Laos
Sabaydee has unfailingly clean rooms with comfy beds, TVs, fans and en suites. Decked in bright colours and pleasant furnishings, some overlook the river…
Luang Prabang
This takes us back to old-school 1990s Luang Prabang with an old house in the heart of the city offering rooms for less than a tenner. The cheapest rooms…
Luang Prabang
This cheap family-run guesthouse has an enticing location down on the Mekong riverfront. There are just six rooms here, three twins and three doubles, but…
Northern Laos
The menthol-green rooms enjoy en-suite bathrooms, double beds, cable TV and welcome blankets. The price includes a pick-up from the airport or bus station…
Northern Laos
Khaup Jai offers clean, simple rooms with private bathrooms in a well-kept guesthouse with a friendly English-speaking owner. Fan rooms downstairs, air…
Northern Laos
This white monolith sits immediately south of Vieng Xai market and has clean air-con rooms with above-average furniture and stylish en suites. The parking…
Vang Vieng
Located by the Nam Song in an idyllically quiet spot a few kilometres north of town, the setting here is more interesting than the generally weary-feeling…
Southern Laos
This ageing guesthouse was undergoing refurbishments when we last visited. It has a pleasant garden fronting onto the main road and backs onto great river…
Pakse
Around the corner from the tourist strip, but seemingly far away, this popular (ie often full) spot has quiet, spiffy rooms and English-speaking owners…
Vang Vieng
With its new pool and ambitious plans to expand, this place is steadily upgrading itself. We hope this growth eventually reaches the dorms and rooms,…
