Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
that, your best bet is to visit a couple of the many tour operators lining Route 7 to get a good
idea of what's on offer.
Services
There's a BCEL ATM on Route 7; the main branch, with currency exchange ser-
vices, is situated about 1km to the west on the same road (daily 8.30am-3.30pm). Most travel
agents and some guesthouses will also change money. There's an
internet
café next to the
restaurant
Simmaly
(daily 7am-10pm), charging 10,000K per hour. Alternatively,
Lao Falang
Restaurant
has free wi-fi.
ACCOMMODATION
Anoulack Khen Lao
Just north of Route 7, on the road leading to the shopping centre
061 213599.
A smart, large hotel, tucked away off the main road. The big, bright rooms are
impr
essive fo
r the price, and the attached bathrooms are spick and span. Rates include break-
fast.
220,000K
Auberge de la Plaine des Jarres
1.5km south of town, on the hill 030 517 0282,
plainedesjarres.com
.
This rustic lodge is set in landscaped grounds surrounded by pine trees
and bougainvillea, with wonderful sweeping views over the town and surrounding coun-
tryside. Accommodation is in wooden cabins that feel more alpine than Lao, with rather thin
walls and hard beds, but this is d
efinitely
the most picturesque setting in Phonsavan. Popular
with tour groups, so book ahead.
400,000K
Dokkhoune Hotel
Just west of White Orchid on Route 7 020 234 2555.
With a lobby full
of decorative UXO and good views of the mountains from the hallways, this four-floor block
is in a good ce
ntral loc
ation. The large, but dull, rooms are a bit of a disappointment, though
not bad value.
80,000K
Kong Keo Guesthouse
200m north of Route 7 (follow the dirt track that starts just north
of the Lao Falang Restaurant) 055 211354,
kongkeojar@hotmail.com
.
The best and
quirkiest choice for budget travellers. Rooms are rather small, beds are lumpy and the bath-
rooms pretty poky, but the overall vibe of the place more than makes up for it, with a cool
bar-restaurant and a garden litte
red with
UXO. In addition to tours, they can arrange visas for
Cambodia, China and Vietnam.
60,000K
Kounsy
At the far eastern end of the main drag, near the junction 061 211170.
This gues-
thouse h
as a num
ber of basic, rather dark rooms, though they're cosier than many others on
Route 7.
70,000K
Lao Falang
Above Lao Falang Restaurant, just north of the hotel White Orchid 020 2221
2456.
The cheapest place to crash for the night, with basic dorm beds above a restaurant that
serves food and beer t
o a mos
tly Western crowd. Automatic motorbikes are available here for
100,000K/day. Dorm
30,000K
