Vang Vieng, Laos

I haven’t visited Vang Vieng in a couple of years and when I was there it was a true backpackers haven with nary a decent hotel in site. Nicole Long, our Laos director recently took a trip to Vang Vieng, Laos to see what changes were happening and whether it could be a destination we include on tours. She also stayed at a few of the hotels in town and we are proud to present our newest partner hotel in Laos:

My feeling is that Vang Vieng could be a good choice if someone wanted to travel from Vientiane to Luang Prabang by road. It is only a 2 to 3 hour ride from Vientiane and it could be a stop on the way to Luang Prabang or just as a retreat from many of our guests who are traveling to “cities”.

Name of Hotel: Thanvansouk Resort and Hotel
Location : Vang Vieng, Laos

Review: The best overall option in Vang Vieng is the Thanvansouk Resort and Hotel. The hotel is divided up into two basic style rooms with either river or garden views. There are 36 bungalows and rooms that run parallel to the Song River offering stunning panoramic views of the Phadeng (Red Cliff), lush forest, and Lao river life. The rooms give an overall rustic mountain feel with tasteful simple décor and teakwood structure. All rooms have modern amenities including the highly sought after bathtub (rarely seen in Laos) and a private terrace. All the riverfront rooms have chase lounges perfect for getting some sun, reading a good book and taking in the sunset surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Along the riverfront are benches and porch swings so if you choose a garden view room you still get a great view of the sunset. If the amazing view isn’t enough to relax you a stroll through the flower and exotic plant filled property sure will. The hotel river front restaurant offers a range of South East Asian and Western cuisine with warm and friendly staff. The included breakfast is basic, but the misty morning mountain view with grazing goats and horses on the opposite bank makes breakfast all that much better. The Thanvansouk isn’t the newest in town, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Rating: Socks Off

Upside: The overall ambience is the beautiful rustic scenery. The entire feel of the property is peaceful nature.

Downside: You could have nature a little closer than wanted with a family of ants trekking through your room.

Insider Tip: During your stay you could meet a Laos celebrity! The daughter of the wonderfully friendly family who owns and runs Thanvansouk is a famous Laos Pop singer, Eluna Thanvansouk. Lao celebrities are not as jaded as our western ones so be sure to ask for an autograph.

Reviewed By: Nicole Long
Date: May 9, 2009