Savannakhet Laos – Best Budget, Mid-Range and Top End Places to Stay

In recent years Savannakhet’s hotel scene has seen a lot of new-comers and long-term favourites are giving way to younger siblings. We feel that overall quality vs price ratio is great in Savannakhet, and in many cases USD15 can buy you a well-kept double room with an ensuit bathroom and often either breakfast or other perks like free all-day tea or coffee included. Below are some of our picks though we never miss a chance to check out new properties in Savannakhet.

Budget

Located a couple of hundred meters east of the historic quarter, Leena Guesthouse (Chao Kim Road) has been a long time favourite for every backpacker popping in town. Nowadays better options can definitely be found, but if the price is your main concern Leena still has no competitors. For LAK50,000 in fact you’ll have a clean, quite spacious double room with private bathroom (only cold water) and a fan. With just LAK20,000 more you can even have an air-con. The rooms are pretty dark and they could have done a serious renovation, but at that price there’s really nothing to complain of. The general atmosphere is friendly and particularly suited to solo travellers willing to socialize. The owners speak basic English and offer bicycles for rent. A new building has been recently added, with better rooms with hot water. They are offered at a double price compared to the old ones. If this is your budget though, we recommend you to consider other places that in our opinion have a better value for the money.

One of such places, Joli Guesthouses (Sotthanou Road, immediately north of Leena), would be our favourite choice in a low price range. A bright new orange building that offers a number of spotless and big nicely furnished double rooms. Don’t expect a boutique hotel or any fancy decoration, but the tile floor, the comfortable mattresses, the spacious private toilette with hot water, a cable TV and the air-con would be already enough to justify the LAK100,000 rate. But that’s not all. In fact coffee and tea are offered all day long, Wi-Fi is fast everywhere in the property, there’s a rooftop terrace which is a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset with a beer and a simple breakfast with eggs and baguette is included in the price. The owner is always available on site, helping with any information you might need. And if you travel by yourself and you don’t mind sharing the toilette, smaller single rooms (always with air-con and breakfast included) come for LAK70,000.

Mid-Range

One block away from the night market, Savan Café (walking to the river from Talat Yen Plaza) is a heritage building wonderfully restored right in the middle of the historic district. The rooms are beautifully decorated with a mix of modern and traditional style and all of them look different from each other. Some of them are too much on the small side, while others are a lot more spacious. The owner will be happy to show you all of them (or at least the ones available). They come with an air-con, private bathroom and small breakfast at the price of LAK200,000. An open roof terrace offers great views of the Mekong. Savan Café’ is also known for being the best hostel in town but we find the LAK80,000 required for a bunk bed in a mixed dormitory way too excessive, even in an historic building.

Top End

Located on the riverbank 1 km south of the city centre, Daosavanh Resort & Spa Hotel is the best solution if you’re looking for some luxury on the Mekong. Recently opened, it features comfortable, spacious and stylish rooms with pricing starting at USD70. The rooms are beautiful, with traditional wooden inserts, big modern bathrooms, TV and air-con. Even better is the entire property, with a nice garden surrounding a mid-size swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. A good restaurant on site offers French cuisine in a romantic atmosphere at affordable prices (considering the location). Breakfast with lots of choices is included in the price. A quick internet search will usually give you great deals compared to the standard walk-in rates.