Where to sleep in Laos?

You've made up your mind, you're planning a trip to Southeast Asia, and you've chosen Laos! In that case, you're definitely looking for a place to stay in Laos, and there are plenty of options This destination, with its rich culture, history, and architecture, requires good planning beforehand. If you already know what to do in Laos, this guide will help you ensure the best chances of an enjoyable stay because you'll discover the best cities to sleep in Laos! Among them are Vientiane, the Laotian capital, Luang Prabang, and Thakhek, iconic destinations to see during your trip. By combining numerous criteria such as budget, location, and activities, you'll also discover some fantastic places to stay

Finding accommodation in Laos can seem challenging, especially when visiting a Southeast Asian country for the first time! But with a little planning, you won't have any trouble getting through this step. Laos is a country that stretches lengthwise from north to south over a total area of 236,800 km². The country has around 8 million inhabitants, making it a densely populated but absolutely authentic country

The first criterion to consider before choosing one or more accommodations is your itinerary! Keep in mind that major cities offer significant accommodation options for all budgets: hostels, guesthouses, and comfortable hotels You will also find quite a few unique bungalows by the Mekong River. If you spend a few days in rural areas like the 4,000 Islands archipelago, you will find simpler but always very comfortable and authentic lodging PS: don't be surprised if these lodgings don't have real windows; it's customary in Laos

Budget is another factor to consider, but rest assured, accommodations in Laos are very affordable. Expect to pay between €5 and €10 per night for a dorm bed or a very basic small room, and between €20 and €50 if you opt for a more comfortable hotel. Of course, there are also higher-end and luxury establishments that exceed €80 per night, but even for this type of establishment on Booking.com, the value for money is excellent compared to Europe

If you're not sure which city to choose to stay in Laos, the rest of this article highlights the best places to stop and discover the country. You'll learn more about the cities to choose based on the activities you plan, the atmosphere and geographical location, as well as the best addresses and hotels available on-site!

Nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang is a must-visit city for those looking for a tranquil and authentic base! A UNESCO World Heritage site, this former royal capital is very appealing due to its abundance of Buddhist temples and a timeless atmosphere In terms of accommodation, there are many offers available across all ranges and budgets

While exploring Luang Prabang, you'll be amazed by sites such as the Wat Xieng Thong temple, Mount Phousi, and the Kuang Si waterfalls, which are just a few kilometers away You can also visit the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, which houses a history museum, and discover the elephant sanctuary MandaLao located right next to the museum. Nearby, you'll find Wat That Luang and the old town area.

Staying in Luang Prabang is a great idea if you plan to wander through the night markets and witness the morning monk processions. The city also has a well-served international airport, so you might land in Luang Prabang ✈️

Fides Boutique Hotel offers great value for staying close to downtown. Rooms are modern, comfortable, and pleasant, and friendly staff awaits you! Expect a budget of €42 per night for a double room including breakfast in this 3-star hotel.

LuangPrabang Center Hotel is a great address if you're looking for a more upscale and comfortable establishment. Starting from €32 with breakfast included, you will have a deluxe double room of 30 square meters. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, and free parking!

If you're looking for a practical destination, I suggest the capital of Laos, Vientiane! It's an excellent base that, unlike many neighboring capitals, offers a relaxed atmosphere Vientiane is a great choice for discovering Laos and exploring the central region of the country. Here too, hotels are very affordable and abundant! You won't have trouble finding a place to stay

But what are the attractions in the capital? Stroll along the banks of the Mekong to enjoy sunsets and, of course, visit iconic monuments like the Pha That Luang temple, a national symbol, and the Patuxai Arch, built to honor those who fought against France for the country's independence. The Riverside Night Market and the Nam Phou Fountain Square are must-visit places to enjoy the nightlife in the capital

For tasting local specialties, I recommend the Vangthong food market, which is full of Laotian specialties, and of course, the capital is not lacking in restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and entertainment

Amari Vientiane is a beautiful luxury establishment for just €85 per night! You can enjoy a pool, private parking, five restaurants, and of course, breakfast every morning

New Champa Boutique Hotel offers a little paradise with a swimming pool in the heart of downtown, just a few steps from the national museum of Laos. You will enjoy beautiful, comfortable, and spacious rooms starting at €41 per night. For breakfast, expect an additional €3 per day per person.

Located in southern Laos, Don Det is a peaceful haven to discover if you're heading to the 4,000 Islands archipelago in the Si Phan Don region ️ Accessible only by boat, this island attracts many visitors for its laid-back atmosphere and idyllic scenery Among rice fields, traditional villages, and fine sandy beaches, Don Det is a beautiful destination to recharge off the beaten path.

Although this island is known for its tranquility, there are plenty of things to do! For example, explore Don Det by bike along its little country paths, watch the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins, an endangered species, visit the island's most beautiful waterfalls such as Khone Phapheng Falls and Li Phi Falls, etc. There are also plenty of kayaking tours on the Mekong to explore the surroundings

In terms of accommodation, Don Det has quite a few guesthouses and establishments offering bungalow stays The hotel offer is interesting but not as dense as elsewhere in Laos. I highly recommend booking as soon as possible to enjoy the best rates and great addresses

Don Det Hotel is a superb 3-star establishment located at the northern tip of the island. It offers beautiful double rooms of 15 square meters, featuring a balcony with garden views starting from €39 per night, breakfast included. The setting is lush and relaxing, and the staff is always discreet and available, a place to consider!

BABA Guesthouse features rooms with panoramic views of the Mekong River. What allows for this unique view is that the guesthouse is built on stilts, a method commonly used in this area of Laos. In addition to the view, you will enjoy a relaxing stay thanks to the services and the very friendly staff. For the night, expect from €43.

If you're planning to explore southern Laos, know that Pakse is the essential starting point for visiting the surrounding area, notably the Bolaven Plateau and its coffee plantations ☕️ Pakse is located at the confluence of the Mekong and Sedone rivers, a tranquil stop for seeing temples and markets! Historically, Pakse was the capital of the Champassak kingdom before its union with the rest of Laos in 1946

One of the first activities to do when going to Pakse is to discover the temples. Among them, I recommend admiring Wat Luang temple, one of the most beautiful, located along the Xe Dong River. Then visit Wat Phou, 45 km from the city, another must-see that houses a large Buddha statue You can also explore the food markets, take a cruise on the Mekong, and discover the Tad Fane waterfalls.

Pakse offers varied accommodation options ranging from cheap hostels to comfortable hotels! Prices are truly very affordable and rarely exceed €50 per night. It's a great base to consider

Pakse Hotel & Restaurant is located near downtown in a quiet area. It has two restaurants, a gym, a bar, and free parking. The offered rooms are modern, stylish, and pleasant, starting from €29 per night with breakfast included. You will be welcomed by attentive staff.

Intouch Riverside Hotel features an outdoor pool with a view of the city as well as air-conditioned, spacious, and modern rooms! Available from €32 per night with breakfast included, you will stay in a comfortable setting right across from the night market. The staff also speaks French!

Located on the banks of the Mekong, facing Thailand, Thakhek is a highly sought-after stop for travelers as it has a calm atmosphere and is full of impressive karst landscapes

The uniqueness of this city is that it is connected to Thailand by the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge, inaugurated on November 11, 2011 Of course, the city is also famous for the Thakhek loop circuit that crosses caves, rice fields, villages, waterfalls, and spectacular rock formations This itinerary is very popular with motorcyclists, extending over 450 km, so plan about 4 to 5 days for the road trip.

Outside the Thakhek loop, there are also beautiful things to discover, such as KongLor Cave, hosted within the PhouHin Bun National Park. Not far away, you will find the villages of Ban Nahin and Kong Lor, which are always a stop for those visiting the caves

Accommodations are not extremely plentiful in Thakhek, so book as soon as possible! Like many establishments in Laos, prices are very affordable and accessible if you have a small budget

Domea Thakhek - Urban Glamping features unique accommodations: comfortable and air-conditioned bubbles equipped with a lounge area and a cozy double bed. This is what we now call > a contraction of glamour and camping, and there's not much more to add except the price per night: starting from €40 with breakfast included! ⛺️

Villa Thakhek is a large property 500 m from downtown. Within it, a large lush garden with many very comfortable small bungalows ideal for a night or two. There is also a very good restaurant where I recommend dining. The most advantageous part is the price per night starting from €21.

And that's it, this article is finished! Now that you know where to sleep and how to organize your road trip in Laos, I recommend discovering all the must-do activities to make sure you don't miss anything