Has anyone stayed here? It gets pretty good reviews on TA.

I just came home from LP. I went to that hotel to enquire about rooms, but I had such a nice place at $40., I could not bear to spend the extra money. It looks nice and undoubtedly is, but in the dry season (right now), the Meekong is a big sand bar which you can sit and look at from riverside or a restaurant for $100 a night less. Actually, the river on the other side of town is much prettier. If you want to spend that kind of money, look at The Chang Heritage Hotel or The Chang Inn (www.the-chang.com). Neither are far from the important things, but the Nam Khan river is much nicer & in a great neighbourhood. Having said that, it seems nuts to pay an extra $40-60 for a "riverview" room.

Thanks for your review, merckxxx. The Chang Heritage Hotel is more than I want to pay for in high season. I'm checking out Chang Inn next. Did you see BelleRive? It looks really nice on TA.

The Chang Inn has very small rooms so I would not choose them. The Chang Heritage on the other hand does have very nice large rooms and the best are the Khan view suites.

I stop by and look at the Mekhong Riverview as well and found the rooms a bit small plus it's a bit of a walk to go to where all the restaurants are.

Some photos from LP with the Chang Heritage and Chang Inn: http://khun-pook.smugmug.com/Other/L.../6900897_jgAH7

Thank you Hanuman for sharing those lovely photos and your comment on the RiverView.

I just stayed at the Chang Heritage (last week) i thought it was OK. When i go back to LP i will stay at 3 Nagas OR Apsara GREAT location and very good value (food in the restuarant was excellent)

The Belle Rive looks v. nice. But I agree that 3 Nagas or Apsara would be a nicer location. As to walking, nothing in LP is far from anything - everything is the minimum walk any of us should do daily. I have to say that I stayed in a new guest house (built same as a hotel) in which the floor, most walls, remarkable ceiling, and all furniture were teak to die for. A beautiful new bathroom in 3 sections with hot water, large flat screen tv (ugh), no view at all and a miserable breakfast for $40. It appeared to me that the 4-5 star hotels were nearly empty and I have a suspicion that they - and a few overpriced restaurants - exist to support five star tour groups who are willing to pay 5 times market price.

Smeagol & merckxxx, Thanks again for providing more information. I decided against 3 Nagas because it's rate was over $200 for a standard room. Apsara was a definite contender but I decided to go with Belle Rive after reading good reports on TA. ($110) Even though the river is gone for now, I think I'd like being a little out of the main city and it's a new property.

barefoot,

Tripadvisor is a valuable tool but lately I've found a lot of their reviews very suspicious. Most of the reviewers are first time reviewer and their very first post on TA is to lopsidedly compliment a hotel.

When we visited LP the "Le Bel Air" was number one and all from multiple first time contributor. The hotel just open and within a month they had several positive reviews. I sent PM to several of them without any reply which made me very suspicious.

Something for you to ponder about!

well it's in a good location (to be honest anywhere is a good enough location on the peninsula in LP) and i will be interested in what its like. Be sure to let us know. It does look a very nice property. When we were there a woman walked in and asked how much it was they quoted her $250 per night, so your rate of $110 would persuade me also!!

I will be sure to report on my experience there.

Smeagol, what was the outcome of your negotiations at 3 Nagas? You know, the result that you didn't want to jinx by providing details ahead of time. You promised an update, and I've been holding my breath! It looks like you ended up at Chang heritage, but how?

It will all be in my trip report........ I've updated it today, nearly at the LP bit.

I should add WJ, thanks for the interest not sure it will be that interesting, i am just too lazy to type out twice!!!