The Best of Cambodia & Laos

246
VANG VIENG & SURROUNDING AREA
12
WHERE TO STAY
but elegant, traditional decoration. The riverside balconies offer great views on the upper
floors. By the river is an attached resort with well-appointed bungalows. They are smaller
than the hotel rooms and the approach is entirely different. One gets the impression that
they are designed to appeal to Thai tourists, which is no bad thing since their standards
can be exacting. There is an attached restaurant on a deck right on the river, which serves
Lao and Thai food. The food is excellent, especially the Tom Yam. The view is superb. The
one minor drawback is that the restaurant (main courses 15,000 kip–35,000 kip) offers
karaoke in the evening, which certainly affects the natural peace of the environment.
Riverside Rd., south of town. & 023/511-340. www.thavisouk-hotel.com. 71 units. $25 resort double;
$35 hotel double. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; Internet; room service. In room: A/C, TV, fridge.
Vansana Vangvieng Hotel The inviting outdoor pool (nonguests can use it for
a 20,000 kip) is what sets this place apart from the other riverside hotels. Stick with the
doubles, as the suites are just standards with a couch. Rooms have wood floors and a few
Lao fabrics for color. The restaurant is right on the river and is a great place to have a
drink and watch the sunset.
Ban Sysavang (along the Nam Song just south and west of the town center). & 023/511-598. Fax
023/511-600. www.vansanahotel-group.com. 38 units. $35–$58 double. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant;
pool. In room: A/C, TV.
INEXPENSIVE
Ban Tang Guest House This is a place with some character since it is in an original
old all-wood house. The larger A/C rooms are like minisuites with a slightly odd front
living room complete with comfy sofas and lurid plastic plants. The beds are oversoft,
but that’s hardly a surprise since nothing here is very new. Many of the rooms have large
wooden balconies. Since it’s all wood and quite old, don’t be surprised if you should see
the odd spider.
Riverside Rd. & 023/511-406. 14 units. 40,000 kip fan double; 90,000 kip A/C double. No credit cards.
In room: A/C, TV.
Grand View Guest House This is a new guesthouse right by the river at
the end of the road leading from the main street. Its courtyard and large entrance make
it appear rather grand but it is actually quite modestly priced. This is one of the best
budget options in town. If you get one of the upper rooms facing the river you will be
faced by views so beautiful that you may never leave the spacious balcony during daylight
hours. The rooms are large and airy and well appointed in a rather spartan style. The
management is also very friendly and helpful and can put you in the know on most
things, including tours and onward transport. Sadly the hotel suffers from evening noise
from the “Bucket Bar” across the river.
Riverside Rd. (near the tubing operator by the river). & 023/511-474. 22 units. 70,000 kip fan double
facing the street; 100,000 kip fan double facing the river; 150,000 kip A/C double facing the street;
250,000 kip A/C double facing the river. No credit cards. In room: A/C, TV.
Nam Song Garden A modest guesthouse on the river, the Nam Song Garden offers
a variety of rooms including the rental of a small house to groups. It is a favorite with
rock climbers. They have had some problems with robberies in the past hence each room
now has a safe. Best to use it.
Riverside Rd. & 023/511-544. 14 units. 90,000 kip river-view double. No credit cards.