The capital sits at a cultural, tourism, and business crossroads, and the city’s accommodation reflects this mix. Sip on your morning coffee on a patio overlooking a garden courtyard in town. Enjoy the Mekong sunset with a drink on your high-rise hotel balcony. Room rates for the 400-plus establishments can place you in a solid 3-star in the tourism area for $30, or land you in a 5-star suite on the Mekong for $500…and there’s plenty in between.
Rooms with views cost a few dollars more, especially in the city’s top location, the Mekong River. Hotels and guesthouses on the Fa Ngum River Road reserve their front-row Mekong views for larger, more luxurious suites with balconies for around $85. For those looking to relax outside the tourist scene, but remain on the river, a handful of larger 4-5-star hotels stand a few kilometres from the tourist area. They offer Mekong view rooms for between $100-200, backed by a range of facilities, including swimming pools, gourmet restaurants, spas, and nightclubs.
Most independent travellers and those on booked tours stay in the compact tourist area near the Mekong, which is merging “hip” into its “sleepy” image. Choose a room within walking distance of trendy bars and restaurants, cafes, handicraft shops, traditional Lao massage centres, travel agents, and several attractions on the city’s bucket list.
You can find plenty of 3-star rooms with balconies and all the electronic trimmings in guesthouses with restaurants in garden settings starting around $30. Global brands and finer hotels offer room rates averaging $80-$120 and suites for $200-plus. Most rooms offer balconies with city views, and the establishments have fine restaurants, good service, and a range of facilities. At the lower end, you can find clean rooms in simple guesthouses for less than $20. Most establishments have some English-speaking staff, and many rent bicycles and motorbikes.
You can find bargains in the Lane Xang area, but a trip to town may require a tuk tuk ride. You can find 4-star hotels, boutique accommodation, and 3-star guesthouses for up to 25% less than in the tourist area. Many of these establishments cater to tour groups and business travellers from neighbouring countries, and English is limited. While the facilities are similar as those at accommodation near the river, restaurant menus mostly feature regional dishes. A small visitor enclave is growing around the Thai Consulate, with guesthouses charging similar rates as in the tourist area, and most cater to those on a “visa run” from Thailand.
Find out more about individual hotels, guesthouses, and other accommodation in Vientiane Capital, and book the room that’s right for you.
