Spend a couple of nights in Houay Xay Town before or after your Luang Prabang cruise. Most Western-oriented guesthouses and hotels are clustered around the pier, with riverside accommodation costing a few dollars more. Hotel rooms bounce between $35-150, with pricing reflecting facilities and amenities. Standard guesthouse rooms in town generally cost $10-25 per night.
Hotels offer facilities and amenities in the 2-3-star range. Most room types have pleasant furnishings and come with Wi-Fi, multi-channel flat-screen TVs, balconies, spacious bathrooms, and minibars. You can enjoy restaurants, bars, and nightclubs at many hotels. Those seeking an Asian experience, stay in a hotel with karaoke clubs and casinos. Car and bicycle rentals are available, as are airport transfers, and many staff speak some English, Thai, and Chinese.
Houay Xay guesthouses are as good as any you’ll find throughout Laos: clean, comfortable, and well equipped. Though rooms tend to lack character, most come with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, and small refrigerators. Many rooms have balconies looking over the Mekong or town, and establishments often feature restaurants and spacious, airy lobbies. Some provide complimentary breakfast.
