Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 760

SURVIVAL GUIDE
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ACCOMMODATION
Since the country opened to foreigners in the early 1990s, guesthouses have been steadily
multiplying, and most villages that merit a visit will have some form of accommodation. In
cities such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang, prices vary wildly, with some truly exceptional
boutique hotels that could excite even the most jaded New York Times or Hip Hotels editor.
At the other end of the scale, budget digs - usually a room with a fan and sometimes an en
suite - are getting better every year. Even though guesthouse prices are rising, they're still
unbeatable value when compared with the West; at less than 80,000K (about US$10) a
night, who can argue? The cheapest accommodation is in the far north and deepest south.
Prices of low- and high-season accommodation in Laos differ considerably. High season
falls between December and February (the cooler months), and is more expensive. All
prices listed in this topic are for this period, so should you be travelling at another time of
year make sure you ask for a discount.
Compared with the West, accommodation in Laos is delightfully cheap; however, this is
the developing world and prices are inching up every year as Laos plays catch-up.
Homestays
For more than 75% of Laotians, the 'real Laos' is life in a village. Minority people in vil-
lages across the country now welcome travellers into their homes to experience life Lao-
style, meaning sleeping, eating and washing as they do. It's not luxury - the mattress will
be on the floor and you'll 'shower' by pouring water over yourself from a 44-gallon (170L)
drum, while standing in the middle of the yard (take a sarong), but it's exactly this level of
immersion that makes a homestay so worthwhile. It's also good to know that the 50,000K
you'll pay for bed, dinner and breakfast is going directly to those who need it most.
If you're up for it, remember to pack a torch, flip-flops or sandals, a phrasebook and
some photos from home. If you can, give the gift of a children's book from one of the many
Big Brother Mouse ( Click here ) outlets.
Price Ranges
Accommodation prices listed are for the high season, for rooms with attached bathroom,
unless stated otherwise.