jolo

We are flying to Laos/Vientiane next month from Hanoi, can anyone recommend hotels in Vientiane, our budget for accomodation is 10-20 US/day.
BTW, any recommendation for transportation from airport to downtown Vientiane? by taxi or bus?
Thanks

Lyndie

We spent 5 hours in Vientiane and that was enough for us, however you may find it charming-guess we were in a hurry to get to Luang Prabang! Any way some hotels we checked out for friends in Oz were Lao Paris-nice little place with private bathrooms, air cond etc. In Dec 2003 it was US20 per twin room. We also liked Phonepaseuth Guest House which was around US15 per twin room with bath/toilet. You should buy a Lonely Planet or Footprint Guide and you'll have phone numbers to ring instead of wandering around in the dust, trudging up and down stairs and generally wasting time looking for a place to stay. We hired a taxi-there is a taxi mafia at the airport. They try to charge you a set rate and there are signs telling travellers they must pay these very high rates. Just walk away and keep walking until a driver approaches you or try to share with other travellers. We paid around US4 or 40,000 kip for our taxi into town. Coming back to the airport we could not get anyone to take us for less than US5. The taxi drivers in Laos are just like the ones in Myanmar & London-mostly ripoff artists!

jolo

Thanks Lyndie, do you still have Lao Paris or Phonepaseuth Guest House's adds or phone number. I willnot wait time for finding a place.
Mafia taxi driver you can find them almost every where.

Lyndie

Lao-Paris ph 222229 or 213440 fax 216382.
Phonepaseuth ph 212263 fax 222984 email [email protected]

Do a google search as these two places may have websites. Have fun!

MaryW

Hi Jolo

Last year I stayed at the Villa Manoly in Vientiane - its a little out of the centre of town if it is really possible to say that about Vientiane. Its in a quiet area down by the river about 10minutes walk from the Morning Market. Cost US$25 - a nice enough room decent bathroom and a pool if you want. It was recommended by a Vientiane friend as one they put visiting clients in. Only drawback is its also a little bit further away from the restaurant belt. This year we are going back but are going to stay at the Lao Paris. Its about 5 minutes walk in the other direction from the Morning Market but much nearer the restaurant area. No pool but thats not an issue for me. This year its quoting US$ 25 a double so has presumably gone up since Lyndie say it. Address is Lao-Paris Hotel
Samsenthai Rd, Vientiane
Tel: (856-21) 216-382
Fax: (856-21) 222-229 Address for Villa Manoly is Villa Manoly Fangum Road
Vientiane, Laos
Tel: (856-21) 218-907
Fax: (856-21) 218-907

Hope thats of some help. Not a lot to do in Vientiane but I think its still worth a look around - there are some nice restaurants too. Its certainly nothing like the charm of Luang Prabang. If you do stay at the Lao Paris I'd love to read a report of what you think of it please.