In the past several years we have spent a lot of time traveling in India. There we often found some lovely, comfortable, small places with local flavor. Often these places weren't in the biggie tourist locales, but they all offered ideas and opportunities for local excursions or activities on site, good suggestions for onward travel, great food, a personalized touch rather than just disinterested hired help, comfortable rooms and nice settings.

Are there any special places you know of in Cambodia or Laos? We are not looking to be waited on hand and foot, we don't ever watch tv, we don't need things like room service, we aren't interested in massages etc. Are there any places you know of that you can suggest?

I am wide open on this as far as locations. I could up my budget some for the right place. Thanks.

Loads of places, But the destinations need to be on your possible itinerary, So what's your plans?

I liked the Seven Candles guesthouse in Siem Reap, only $30 per night.

In Luang Prabang, the Apsara is very quaint, fab breakfasts and a great location on the river. It should be within budget (we were there a couple years ago).

In Cambodia I am thinking of Siem Reap, Battambang, Pnhom Penh, Kampot and Kep probably. I know these are all fairly standard itinerary places but was wondering if there are any lesser known gems of lodgings in other places that I may not be aware of.

In Laos Vientiane, maybe Vang Viene, Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, Nong Khiaw maybe. Once again, if there are any lesser known gems, I'd appreciate it.Thanks.

Sartoric and I clearly have the same tastes as I was going to suggest the Apsara in LP and Seven Candles in SR! Also in SR, we stayed at a relatively new place, the Hollywood Angkor Boutique Hotel, I think around $50 pn. - great value and great location.

In Phnom Penh we stayed in a couple of places before finding Villa Boran which was very nice. Good central location, large rooms and a pool. Lots of very new places opening in PP.

In Kampot, Rikitikitavi is one of the best places to stay at around $60. Great staff, great food although when we were there we did experience some noise at nights from a karaoke bar across the river. There were also some very nice places out in the countryside along the river that might be worth investigating.

If you are heading to Si Phan Don, the Auberge Sala Done Khong on Don Khong was very nice.

In Kampot try The Columns, it was $59 per night and in a great spot. Definitely eat at Rikitikitavi. (Crellston, we do have similar tastes. I follow your blog, and thank you for the ongoing inspiration).

In Battambang we stayed at Delux Villa, newish but centrally located with a great pool and large well appointed rooms. It was about $45 per night.

In Kep we stayed at Le Ponton, great room, helpful and friendly French management and only a few minutes walk to the crab market.

Accomodation is relatively cheap in Cambodia, so you should be able to stay well within your budget. Finding the gems is another matter !

Didn't stay there, but stopped in to the Hanumanalaya Hotel in Siem Reap because a friend sent us to their incredible gift shop full of vintage items. The place has a magical vibe and we all said we would go back and live there some day. It's now about $100 a night.

http://hanumanalaya.com/boutique/

This might be more basic and rural than what you're looking for, but take a look at Nola Guest House in Kasi, Laos, not too far from Vang Vieng. We're going there in Feb. (only about $10 US dollars a night!)
http://www.travelfish.org/accommodat.../kasi/all/7098

Here's another, near Vientiane. Take my suggestions with a grain of salt, as we haven't gone yet.http://www.rivertimelaos.com/location.html

Lisa--thanks much for the suggestions. In the past in Vietnam we have done something similar to what you will be doing at the Nola Guest House. We enjoyed it, so I hope your time goes well there.

The rivertimelaos idea looked intriguing and like a place we might enjoy until I started to read reviews on TA. For me, that quashed this place.

We enjoyed Au Caberet Vert in Battambang. Owned by a lovely French couple, it has about 6 separate cottages, and a dining room/bar. Its about 5 minutes from the city center, but they had their own tuktuk driver, as well as bikes and electric bikes available.

If you go up to Koh Ker, there is only one guesthouse, Mom Morokod. It's quirky, but the food is great. You can book through Koh Ker Treks, or book through 7 Candles guesthouse in Siem Reap

@sartoric<<<In Kampot try The Columns, it was $59 per night and in a great spot. Definitely eat at Rikitikitavi. (Crellston, we do have similar tastes.>>>

Haven't mentioned this before.

When we stayed at the Rikitikitavi for a couple of nights, we had a visitor to our room on both nights. The ceiling in the room was all bamboo, and obviously had a resident lizard [or such] living there. Both mornings when we woke up there was plop the size of an egg at the the bottom of the bed!

Nice place though!

That would be a tokay gecko - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokay_gecko

Also known I think as the f....you lizard.

Blimey, could have devoured me!

sartoric, we had one of those on our villa near Borobudur last summer. That is, indeed, what it sounded like.

lcuy--

Can you tell me a bit more about your Koh Ker expedition? It sounds very intriguing to do the overnight rather than the usual day trip. Would a day trip be too much? We are fine with quirky for a night or two.

Bamboo roof with tokay gecko! Lancaster Lad I think you just steered me away from the Rikititavi.

Thanks all.