The Best of Cambodia & Laos

Riverine Hotel This old colonial villa right on the river has been converted as a
boutique hotel, even having the requisite attached spa. In some ways in fact it seems a
little overdone, having checked all the “boutique” boxes without actually thinking about
what works. The foyer area does work well, since the retro style is complemented by high
ceilings and tasteful fittings. You then walk through a small courtyard to the back of the
hotel where you find the rooms in a separate annex, and this is where the lack of imagination
starts to niggle. The rooms are small and dark, due to the architecture of the
original villa. This would not be a problem if the designers had worked to maximize
space—but they didn’t. Rather than cooling tiled floors and minimal furniture the rooms
are all dark wood, traditional silks, and deep carpets with state-of-the-art flatscreen TVs.
This can work well in some cases, but here it just creates a claustrophobic environment.
The Riverine is still a pleasant and affordable place to stay, and the location is superb, but
it could have been restored with far more thought to the building itself. The hotel offers
complimentary fruit.
48 Fa Ngum Rd. & 021/214-643. Fax 021/216-633. 20 units. $25 single; $30 double; $45 VIP suite. MC,
V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.
Riverside Hotel This is a modern hotel very close to the river. All the rooms are airy,
light, and well furnished, although we are not sure about the lime green color scheme.
The rooms do vary and it’s worth asking to look at a few. The VIP rooms on the top
floors are worth that little bit extra and they have just recently installed an elevator—a
good idea since potential customers were probably put off by the hike to the fourth and
fifth floors.
Nokeo Khoummane Rd. & 021/244-390. Fax 021/244-391. 32 units. 180,000 kip twin; 220,000 kip triple;
220,000 kip VIP. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service; Internet. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, minibar.
Souphaphone Guesthouse Sparkling new with large, well-appointed
rooms with plenty of space, high ceilings, and tasteful furnishings, this is an excellent
midrange option. The staff is very relaxed, but also helpful and friendly. If you can get a
room with a view of Wat Mixai that is an added bonus. The room style is retro-colonial
but it is not overdone. Clean, dark-wood furniture is complemented by muted tones,
wood floors, and the occasional silk hanging.
145 Ban Watchan. & 021/261-468. Fax 021/262-094. http://souphaphone.net. 26 units. $28 double.
In room: A/C, TV, fridge.
Vayakorn Guest House “Guesthouse” is a misnomer for this place, which is centrally
located and offers nicer digs than many of the more expensive hotels in town. It is
spanking new and one of the best deals in Vientiane. Clean, comfortable rooms come
with wood floors, soft beds, leafy balconies, and spotless shower-only bathrooms. Amenities,
as well as views, are almost nonexistent, but you can’t complain at these prices. A
deal like this is difficult to keep hush-hush and the word has been out for a while, so be
sure to book ahead.
91 Nokeo Khoummane Rd. & 021/241-911. Fax 021/241-910. 21 units. $27 double; $18 single. MC, V.
Amenities: Restaurant. In room: A/C, TV, minibar.
INEXPENSIVE
Avalon Hotel This brand-new mini hotel is the best option in this price
range. It’s about 2 blocks away from the main tourist drag, which is a good thing or a
bad thing depending on your love/tolerance of loud music and chatty travelers. Double
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VIENTIANE 11
WHERE TO STAY