I will be in Laos next month for one week. I'm arriving in Luang Prabang and will spend a few days exploring there. Does anyone have cheap, yet clean hotel recommendations? Also, I'm wondering has anyone ever stayed at an ecotourism lodge? I'm looking at one on-line -- http://www.theboatlanding.com/index.html<BR>This lodging is in Luang Namthe. I'm just looking for something a little different. Any ideas, experiences or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Bonjour Beth.<BR>We where in Luang Prabang last year. We stayed at the Mano guest house on Thanon Wisunalat. Very clean, around 12$ for two no breakfast walking distance from town center. We also stayed at the Boat landing G.H. Luang Namtha is a very nice place to visit if you want to do day treks in the nearby villages. I can recommend you a very good guide. Is name is Mr. Daolith with is trusted compagnon Mr Somphone.We spent a few very memorable days with these persons. if you decide to go in this region and encounter Mr. Daolith tell him that the french canadians still remember him with fondness.<BR>Daniel<BR>

all I now is that laotians make a the best sweat and sour chicken anywhere.. and tiger beer is good too. <BR><BR>will you be there durring the water fest.. if so you best get a room quick.. I had too sleep in the midle of a guestrooms living room since there was NO vancy in town..

Daniel, thanks for your thoughts! Is there any way for me to contact Mr. Daolith? thanks!<BR><BR>Also, does anyone know when the &quot;water fest&quot; is?

Hi Beth<BR>If you go to the BoatLanding just around for M. Daolith everyone knows him. (he lives nearby). you must beware that this guest house is basic; hot water heated by sun, no electricity after 21:00, but everything is very clean and friendly. M Daolith can take you on day treks (2 days to visit around should be ok.). There is also a boat excursion organised by the g.h. (10$ including lunch, last year)is recommend. You visit 2 or 3 remote villages. Very interesting. <BR> In Luang Prabang I forgot to tell you that you must go to the Lao Red cross center and have a massage with the herbal sauna. For less than 10$ you will an hour of massage and the suana is a special experience. <BR>Laos was the most interesting country we visited, after China, in our 6 month S.E.A. trip.

songkran.. starts April 12-14 all over the mekong region.. <BR><BR>TAKE COVER.. you'll get soacked.. <BR><BR>if you go at this time maybe bring a huge super socker 2000.. or ten galon bucket which is used too realy tag you up.. <BR><BR>put everything of importance in plastic bags. if your in a tuk tuk. your toast. <BR><BR>IT&quot;S FUN AS HELL THOUGH.. oh yah and in LP there is a parade on both days down the main road with elephents <BR><BR> www.whatsonwhen.com

I hope you'll post a trip report! I don't leave for my SE Asia trip, to include Laos, for another 6 months. Need to live vicariously through the jaunts of others at the moment.<BR><BR>Have a safe, &amp; wonderful journey!

I was in Laos in December, 2002. You can see photos of Luang Prabang at www.marlandc.com

Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations. I think I will try to find Mr. Daolith -- sounds interesting and I would love to see some remote villages. <BR><BR>I do think I will just miss the water feast -- sounds extremely interesting!<BR><BR>If I do the boathouse type place for a couple days, do you have another recommendation for another couple of days? I be in Laos for a week.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Just got back yesterday from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. All were wonderful. In Luang Prabang, we stayed at the Villa Santi Resort, which is about 6 km out of town. It was absolutely beautiful. Big room, well appointed, with a fairly large balcony that looked out over terraced rice fields with water buffalos, mountains and jungle. It's not cheap by Lao standards but very reasonable indeed at $70 per night, including roundtrip transfers to and from airport, good breakfast and tax and service. There is also a free shuttle into town several times a day. If you don't want to wait for the shuttle, a taxi will cost no more than a dollar or two. It's a fast drive, 10-15 minutes that is through interesting villages and beautiful country. the hotel will provide in room massage service for $10/hr. Very relaxing.