Thanvansouk Resort and Hotel
Vang Vieng, Laos
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?
The overall ambience is the beautiful rustic scenery. The entire feel of the property is peaceful nature.
You could have nature a little closer than wanted with a family of ants trekking through your room.
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
May 9, 2009