Manychan Guest House & Restaurant
Northern Laos
Manychan distinguishes itself not by its patchy rooms but by the warm welcome of its eponymous owner. The restaurant has a coffee machine from Italy…
Must-see hotels in Laos
Southern Laos
Porches in front of all rooms, a well-placed restaurant along the river, a helpful English-speaking owner and a good mellow vibe make this one of…
Vientiane
Down a narrow side street leading to a temple, this white art deco–accented villa evokes Indochina with its authentic Parisien chandeliers, antique…
Don Det & Don Khon
In a stilted structure made of solid wood, Crazy Gecko's three tidy rooms surround a balcony that's equal parts funky and functional. Festooned with…
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…
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…
Si Phan Don
The first place you'll see when you get off the boat, Done Khong has dark rooms with tiled floors and homely furnishings in an old house run by an English…
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
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…
Don Det & Don Khon
Don Det's most luxurious complex is set on a large plot on its northern tip. Fragrant rooms tempt with contemporary dark-wood furniture and polished wood…
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…
Don Det & Don Khon
Just south of Don Det village, Mr Tho's has long been popular for the relaxed atmosphere fostered by the helpful, English-speaking family and the location…
Don Det & Don Khon
The busy location next to the bridge doesn't seem ideal until you see the sunsets. The cosy and solidly built bungalows have wicker walls and wooden…
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,…
Don Det & Don Khon
This riverside guesthouse offers a number of different basic options, ranging from simple timber constructions to rooms in a large new concrete building,…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
Si Phan Don
It's hard to beat the location of this place. It's near, but serenely separate from, the tourist strip and the big, breezy 2nd-floor deck provides the…
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,…
Don Det & Don Khon
Souksan has so-so rooms set in a bungalow block with a great shared river-view terrace. Next door is the restaurant, with cushion seating right over the…
Si Phan Don
Connected with Pon Arena hotel, this is the most popular spot in town for sleeping and eating. It has pleasant lemon-hued rooms with tiled floor, cable TV…
Don Det & Don Khon
Enticing bungalows sitting in a garden flickering with butterflies or along the river are finished in solid stained wood with creamy-white interiors,…
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…
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…
Don Det & Don Khon
If there is a more fun and friendly host in Si Phan Don than Mama Piang – who proudly calls herself 'crazy' – we didn't meet her. There are six cold-water…
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…
